Rifle slings - useful equipment for every airsoft player
Tactical sling for an airsoft gun
There are very different preferences when it comes to wearing replicas at airsoft games. With experience comes some reflection and appreciation for different solutions to this issue. There was a time when I couldn't imagine any other sling than single-point. Then I went to the other extreme and started using the three-point thing thinking it was the best thing since the invention of sliced bread. Now I actually have no preferences in this matter and personally I most often use an intermediate solution in the form of a two-point sling.
But what if the categories described above mean nothing to you? Don't worry, we'll describe them in a moment and everything will be clear. Let's start with the basic issue, i.e., what they are for. The sling is a way to keep the airsoft gun on you without having to use your hands. Their additional task is to transfer some of the weight from the arms to other parts of the body while holding the replica. So much for the theory. In practice, the idea is that we will not drop the replica on the ground when we move from main to side replica. By changing to an airsoft pistol, we can hang the carbine freely on the carrying belt without fear of it being damaged in a fall. We can also move freely without fear of losing our replica by leaning it against a wall or obstacle.
Gun slings are therefore a practical gadget. In the basic version, even a piece of string tied to the mounting elements on the airsoft gun will fulfil their function. I have seen such solutions, although to be honest they are not the most convenient ones. It is worth choosing a dedicated carrying belt and enjoying its functionality. The most important type of division of carrying straps for airsoft guns is their division by the number of points of contact between the weights. Let's describe them one by one.
Single point sling
We'll start with the seemingly simplest ones. Single-point slings have only one place on which the entire weight of the airsoft gun is based. It's nothing extraordinary. Sling hooks and the corresponding mounting elements on replicas usually withstand this load without any problems. Single-point slings are also most often used with lightweight replicas. This type of carrying belt is usually composed of one large loop, which can be adjusted in circumference, and some form of hook that is used to connect it to the airsoft gun. Whether the hook itself is placed on the main belt loop or constitutes its branch is a matter of individual design. There are also single-point bungee slings that are made of elastic material or have this type of inserts. However, this does not disturb their basic structure.
We usually attach such a belt to the replica near the back of its body. This helps with weight distribution. In most designs, this also guarantees good balance. The buckle we use to connect the belt to the airsoft gun allows quick unfastening while ensuring a secure hold when required.
This is the simplest type of gun sling. That doesn't mean it's the worst. On the contrary. Like many things in life, choosing the right carrying belt is ultimately an art of compromise. In a single-point sling, the most important factor is mobility. Due to the fact that we attach them only to one place on the replica, there is usually no problem with changing the grip, shifting from right to left or vice versa. Most often, nothing prevents us from changing the magazine or performing other operations. However, after releasing the airsoft gun from your hand, it is not so easy. The replica often hits the legs and longer structures may also hit the ground because the single-point sling only holds them in the place where the stock begins.
2 point sling
The degree of complexity increases as more points are added, on which the weight of the airsoft gun is based. Airsoft 2 point slings may differ in details, but usually their design is based on a long strap with an adjustment form and two hooks for the replica. How the adjustment is solved and how we attach the belt to the airsoft gun is a field for designers to show off. Recently, the most popular methods of adjustment are those that allow you to lengthen or shorten the belt in one efficient movement. This requires the use of modern regulators combined with some type of handle to facilitate the task. Attachment is via QD connectors, carabiners or straps. It's basically a matter of individual preferences.
Two-point belts are probably the most common type of tactical slings. They are also deeply rooted even in military history itself. They once took the form of wide leather rifle belts seen on war fronts. Today, their popularity continues unabated. Their popularity is also influenced by the fact that they can be largely configured according to your own preferences or requirements. Just change the places where we attach them to the airsoft gun and we can get a completely different effect than before.
Versatility is probably the greatest advantage of the carrying belts described in this part of the article. They offer the possibility of carrying the airsoft gun quite stably, even for a long time, but without sacrificing manoeuvrability too much. Thanks to modern solutions such as regulators or comfortable handles, we can adjust them depending on the needs at a given moment. By lengthening the belt, we ensure that it does not restrict our movements, and by shortening it, we make the replica fit more tightly to the body when it is loose.
3 point sling
Have you ever wanted to make a backpack out of an airsoft gun? Or did you feel like completely forgetting about her during a long patrol? If so, the three-point sling is right for you. Here, the third point of attachment for the replica's weight is, in theory, the shooter's body. The remaining two are located on the airsoft gun, similarly to two-point belts. Three-points are constructed in such a way that they are like two loops connected together over a certain distance. This is definitely the most complicated type of gun sling.
The biggest advantage of this type of carrying belt is that with its help we can very effectively transfer the weight of the airsoft gun from the hands to the body. Thanks to this, we give them a rest, which may be important during longer manoeuvres. This design offers several different arrangements that we can choose depending on our needs. Unfortunately, the level of complexity also affects functionality. It is easy, for example, to create a situation in which additional elements of the carrying belt prevent us from changing the magazine. Therefore, it is worth spending some time on properly selecting the settings of your three-point belt and practicing basic shooting tasks with it.
Author: Boreq
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