Slings benefit rifle shooters
John Johnston

John Johnston is a retired sergeant detective who served with the Austin Police Department for 25 years. He also was a licensed gun dealer for 25 years who now lives in Lampasas County. He can be contacted via e-mail at olsingleshot@gmail.com.

A wise hunter once told me: "The hunter who does not use a sling is a one-handed hunter." This is true, since one hand would always be carrying the rifle.

Slings come in many shapes, sizes and uses. There is the military sling that usually is made of leather about one inch wide which is doubled up and has a series of loops to make it fully adjustable. This sling, with proper instructions, can greatly help stabilize the rifle for off-hand shooting. It is also used to carry the rifle on the shoulder.

The only problem with this sling is it tends to slip off the shoulder and is somewhat uncomfortable, especially for heavy rifles.

The next type is the wide, padded sling used strictly for comfort while carrying. It can have a pad that sits on the shoulder, or it may have a rubber-like substance for a pad. This type is good in a deer stand to put under the rifle when you shoot. It tends to stay on the shoulder.

The last kind of sling is the utilitarian type. These may have loops to carry shells in or even built-in shooting sticks.

The next debate is whether to carry the rifle pointing up, pointing down or horizontally in front of you. This is personal choice. Some folks say their way is the quickest means to get the rifle up to shoot.

I prefer having the rifle point up for several reasons: If there is an accidental discharge, the rifle is pointing in a safe direction; if you squat down for anything, you are not putting the rifle muzzle in the dirt; and it is easier to protect the rifle muzzle pointing up.

You do need to follow a few safety rules when using a sling. Always check to see if the sling is securely in the swivels. Nylon slings can and will slip. Make sure the sling will not catch on your clothing. Be very careful walking through brush because the sling tends to get caught on things.

Rifles are not the only firearm to use with a sling. Shotguns are so much easier to carry in the field with a sling. My duck and goose shotgun always has a sling, and I would not think of hunting with that gun without one. Also, a few handguns are so large that people put slings on them.

So, a sling is really a necessity for the rifle shooter. Just remember: It can fail.