Sling Swivel

If you own a rifle or shotgun and use it often, then you know that with their length and weight, they can be hard to carry aroundand use. In order to make this easier, there are slings and sling swivels. Slings help you carry your firearm around with ease and make it less of a hassle. Sling swivels connect your sling to the rifle and make sure that your rifle doesn’t fall and cause an accident.

There are several kinds of slings which are used with sling swivels.

• There is the simple sling, which connects to the rifle in the front and the back, both connected with sling swivels and a swivel mount. These are draped across the chest and torso.

• Next is the Ching sling, this kind of sling, with the help of sling swivels, makes mounting and aiming easier and steady.

• The next is the two point sling. It’s like a simple sling but you can change the length of the strap easily.

• There is also the three point sling, it’s very much like a harness and uses a number of sling swivels and swivel mounts. This resembles a harness and lets the user do other things while carrying around the firearm, without having to worry about dropping it.

• Lastly, there is the single point sling, which can help the user switch shoulders when firing. It is the best design for short term use, since it isn’t as practical as the two or three point slings.

Mounting Sling Swivels and Studs

In order to use slings and sling swivels, your rifle will need sling swivel studs to mount the sling to your rifle. If your rifle doesn’t have any sling swivel studs, then it is necessary to install them. When installing the back sling swivel stud, make sure to clamp it securely to a cleaning cradle. Then, use a drilling marker to align the spot where you are going to drill to the rifle’s head.

The question of where exactly to drill depends on what kind of rifle you have. Hunting rifles and police shotguns should be drilled around the grip cap. It might look a bit funny, but it helps keep the muzzle from getting dirty or running across the floor. 

For hunting rifles that you want to leave looking normal, the rear sling swivel can be located near the rear swivel and the toe of the stock. Just place the guide where you want the sling swivel stud to be, and drill into it.

The front studs have to be counter drilled across the barrel first. Then, screw in the sling swivel stud and the nut into the barrel. Once you have the studs installed, you can screw in the sling swivels and you’re ready to go.

There are different sizes of sling swivels, studs and mounts for firearms. They include 13.5mm, 14.5mm and 16mm. If your gun already has sling swivel studs installed, then you will have to get a sling swivel that will fit with your stud. When buying a sling swivel, make sure that it is compatible with your gun and that it is easy to install.