If you’re looking for a way to carry your rifle that is both comfortable and versatile, look no further than the 2 point sling. This type of sling can be used in a variety of ways, making it perfect for any shooting situation.
In this guide, we will teach you how to wear a 2 point sling and how to use it to its full potential.
What is a 2-Point Sling?
A weapon sling is a strap, band, or the like, forming a loop by which something is suspended or carried, as a strap attached to a rifle and passed over the shoulder.
When pertaining to firearms, slings come in a variety of shapes, sizes, functions, and features.
Traditionally on rifles and most long guns, a 2-point sling is utilized. This is typically mounted at the rear somewhere on a loop on the stock, and near the front usually on a mount on the forend of the stock or off another component that interfaces with the barrel (gas block, front sight post, etc.), allowing for the weapon to be carried over the shoulder.
This traditional setup provides a comfortable way to carry and transport a firearm and can also help stabilize the weapon when shooting offhand.
In a more modern use and definition, 2-point weapon slings are also used to help retain and carry a firearm, but they also add enhanced characteristics that can be put to good use in the challenging and dynamic spaces modern users find themselves in.
By mounting a 2-point sling to a modern long gun, the user is able to maneuver with the weapon still slung because of the ergonomic and multiuse design of modern slings.
Many 2-point slings also come with quick adjust features, allowing a user to tighten or loosen the sling as they move.
How Does a 2-Point Sling Differ from a 1- or 3-Point Sling?
Arguably, a 2-point sling is the best all-around sling design. However, 1-point and 3-point slings are also designed, utilized, and fielded on long guns.
A 1-point sling is traditional used for specific mission sets like vehicle-based operations and urban/CQC operations. A 1-point sling offers basic retention and a high level of maneuverability, but is severely lacking in stability, given it is only mounted to the weapon at one point.
This allows the weapon to flop around freely and can become a major hindrance to mobility if it is not in use. Many civilians and military users can be seen using 1-point slings in a variety of settings on a myriad of weapons.
Conversely, a 3-point sling offers a much greater level of retention and utilizes two loops of sling instead of the one loop the 1- and 2-point slings use. By using 2 loops the weapon also lays upon the user in a much more controlled manner, eliminating the firearm from flopping about.
3-point slings in theory and in basic use are comfortable and appear to be practical, but the second any kit or gear are added by the user this style of sling gets easily hung up and snagged on those additions.
This style of sling is not typically issued or used by most modern forces, and it is not usually used by civilians.
Benefits of a 2-Point Sling
A 2-point sling incorporates features from the 1- and 3-point slings to be the best all-around fit for a long gun.
It still provides a high level of retention, allows for it to be worn and slung in a variety of ways, but also maintains a versatile level of flexibility which can be changed and managed on the fly. This is the most common way modern small arms are carried and used in both training and combat.
One of the most important ways 2-point slings help a user is by evenly spreading the weight of a weapon out across the neck, shoulders, arms, and back of a user. By distributing the weight evenly, it becomes far more comfortable to carry and use a weapon for an extended period of time.
These slings are issued and used by modern forces and civilians alike. 2-point slings offer a variety of additional attributes we will now delve in to.
How To Use A Two-Point Sling?
How to Setup a 2-Point Sling?
Sling setup is heavily dependent on user preferences and the mission set. However, the simplest of ways is to have the sling set to a comfortable length, which allows for enough movement so the weapon can be moved around your person, but while also maintaining a good deal of retention and control; the weapon is not stuck fast to the user and the weapon cannot be easily snatched by the enemy or snagged off by the environment (tree branches, door knobs, etc.).
Additionally, once a sling is configured to the desirable length, tape can be used to further secure any loose slack or further reinforce the adjustments that have been set by the user.
How to Wear a 2-Point Sling?
For most standard operations, a 2-point sling is simply worn with the weapon slung in a manner that allows the weapon to lay at a low ready position across the chest, with the sling slung over the neck and either under the weak side arm or over the strongside shoulder (user preference).
Either of these basic methods allow for easy access and manipulation of not only the sling and weapon, but also of any kit or other gear worn by the user. This normal method of wearing a 2-point sling also allows for the weapon to be easily back slung, and put out of the way so users can easily complete tasks such as climbing a ladder or carrying heavy items like ammo.
What are the Best Sling Attachments Methods?
Over the last few decades sling mounting options have grown greatly, allowing for a user to configure and tailor their setup to their liking.
Many small arms still maintain traditional mounting points like slots or loops to simply mount and use a sling in an over-the-shoulder carry method we most associate with the older style of rifles (hunting rifles, military bolt-action rifles, etc.).
To further enhance a weapons capability, manufacturers are designing and incorporating in a multitude of mounting options on their weapons.
Modern long guns incorporate or can be easily customized, simply by bolting or unbolting small parts, to utilize modular sling mounting solutions.
We typically see long guns using KeyMod or M-LOK mounting solutions, both of which have allowed for an endless number of mounts to be designed and used on small arms.
This factor then allows users to select how to connect the sling to the mounts using a variety of options to include QD loops, metal clips, looping a sling directly through a mount, or even using 550 cord (paracords) to loop and attach the sling to one of these options.
All of these methods and others have their pros and cons and users need to experiment with their sling setup to find the best one for their weapon and use.
What are the Best Spots to Attach the Sling to a Weapon?
Modern long guns offer a variety of mounting options and locations for slings. On most weapons, you can simply mount a 2-point sling to the furthest forward and rear spots located on the weapon.
Often times this means a mount located on the stock, and the other on the forend. However, since this is a user, weapon, and mission dictated element, people need to experiment with what spots best balance the weapon on their person, what spots maintain good retention/avoid pinch points, and what spots still allow for the flexibility of movement and clean access to the rest of your gear and kit.
How Tight/Loose Should the Sling Be?
The level of tension used on a 2-point sling is highly dependent on the user, mission type, and environment. Most reputable sling manufacturers incorporate a quick adjust feature into their 2-point sling designs.
This allows the sling to be rapidly adjusted simply by pulling or loosening the length/tension of the sling. This enables the sling to have a very high and convenient level of adjustment that, with proper practice, becomes second nature for the user to adjust and manage while on mission.
A sling should be tight enough to maintain positive control of the weapon, but loose enough to still allow for freedom of movement. By having built-in adjustability tension can be changed over the course of an event, as the situation changes and presents new considerations.
Key Takeaways
2-point weapon slings are by far the most versatile method for carrying a long gun.
- They allow for a great deal of customization and adjustment.
- Users need to experiment and practice with their sling setups to optimize setup.
- Modern small arms allow for a variety of sling mounting options.
- Built-in adjustment and features allow for dynamic changes during a mission.
- Ultimately, 2-point sling setup is user specific and each person must determine what is best for them on each individual setup, with each individual sling.
For additional information and insight, we would encourage users to research different designs of 2-point slings and seek out reputable video reviews on YouTube and other social media networks.