My nephew, the soon to be new deer hunter, asked if there were any slings that had a feature for clipping a carabiner to. The subject came up when we were talking about the intricacies of tying a rope to the unloaded gun to hoist it up, into the blind.
Hoisting the rifle separately serves at least three purposes:
- It gives the hunter the use of both hands while climbing into or down from the stand, reducing the risk of falling
- It reduces the risk of "muzzling" other hunters.
- It reduces the risk of dropping the weapon and damaging it.
He expressed the opinion that he was confident that he could tie a knot to a carabiner that would not come loose but wasn't so sure he could do the same on a cold, wet morning...and then be able to untie it after he had it hoisted into the blind.
For those who never experienced moving a firearm into an elevated blind, the first order of business is to unload the weapon and make sure the chamber is cleared. Then to tie the weapon to the hoist rope and NOT drop the muzzle into the mud or snow. Then climb the ladder. Then lift the weapon without smashing the scope against the tree or ladder or legs of the stand. Then to untie the weapon without dropping it. Finally, to reload the weapon.
The idea of a carabiner on the end of the rope reduces the chances of the muzzle falling into the snow-or-mud and vastly reduces the risk of the weapon slipping out of the knot.
Can any of my readers suggest a commercially available sling with a ring or other feature that a carabiner can be positively clipped to? I suppose he could clip it to the sling but then the weapon can shift from muzzle-down to muzzle-up in transit. A simple, synthetic material without padding is preferred.
I would have a rope already attached to the stand hanging down at a height that kept the rifle above the ground. A clip that fit through the rear sling swivel hung the rifle until I got it up. Easier to unclip then fooling with a knot when it was 9f degrees and dark
ReplyDeleteBasic rope fieldcraft, to free the lad from commercial solutions to bush problems:
ReplyDeletehttps://scoutpioneering.com/site-map/pioneering-knots/
Finger cot over the muzzle, keeps water and dirt out, no problem shooting through it.
ReplyDeleteSome slings have thumb loops to provide a gripping point to help ensure that the rifle doesn't shift when being carried. Go to Bass/Cabelas (or other outdoor/gun shop) and look through their stock...
ReplyDeleteWe have very few blinds up that high, a floor exceeding 10 feet in height. I lift the bolt to render the rifle unoperable, use a 2nd 550 cord sling to secure it tightly in front across chest and climb up with no issues. The majority of our blinds have a floor level only a step or two above grade before we reach up and place rifle inside box.
ReplyDeleteThose tree stand platforms with seat pressed up against trunk aren't present here. We don't have straight trunked trees like that - mesquite grows out, rarely straight up.
I run various slings, depending on the rifle, ranging from the military loop sling, to the Ching sling, to the Magpull 2/1 point sling. The latter can be had with all sorts of end connection configurations to fit whatever connection points your stick has.
ReplyDeleteYou asked about a sling with a hardware attachment, and the Magpull has a hardware loop that could get hooked by a carabiner clip. The Magpull is a quality bit o' kit, but not the cheapest solution.
If you are running a military loop sling, you could also easily lace a ring into the sling using the prepunched holes; if you have a nylon carry strap like an Uncle Mike, a heavy split ring or small chain link through the forward strap attachment would work , too, but I would wrap that with electrical tape to keep the noise down. Interesting discussion!
It’s called the HK sling swivel - I think you Yanks can get them from Mil Spec Monkey along with all the other doodads to make any kind of sling your heart desires. Knowing what I know now…I’d never buy a sling again. It’s a cheap fun project and your slings can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. OyTube is your friend - have fun.
ReplyDeleteBut you guys are thinking backwards. Get some paracord, tie or tape a loop to the gun, and put the caribeener on the rope.
In such cases I’d find it acceptable to dispense with the theatrics of gun safety and just use common sense and judgement. Clear the gun, show your buddies that it’s clear…sling it over your back and just go up the ladder.
Sorry, your last suggestion was a little too easy/simple. Now refer to Mildot, Manual, Tech., Sling, one each, section 3, paragraph 7, for proper operational instructions on Safety, Sling, Climbing. You will be tested on this. HURRY!!
DeleteIf you already have a sling, just use it. I would sling it to my body, muzzle up or down does not matter if it is unloaded, but it is best practice to be consistent. Basic sling employment and use of is a good skill. Otherwise, clove hitch by the stock ( secured by a half hitch to minimize slipping ), do an underhand loop towards the muzzle with the standing end going up and it should be perfectly up and down as it is pulled up. We did that with axes, pike poles, and stuff going up to a 2 1/2 story buildings.
ReplyDeleteThat’s what I was going to suggest. I carry my gun into every stand we have. Just cross-sling it. Both hands are free.
DeleteHave always used a short length of parachute cord with a SMALL dog chain style clip on each end. One end is clipped to my belt loop, the other is used on the bow/gun end of the deal.
ReplyDeleteI often use a carabiner through the part of the strap where it's doubled over (i.e. the adjustable part). Some straps are adjustable before and after the padded portion, which is what you need so you have an adjustable part near the butt of the gun to put the carabiner through.
ReplyDeleteMore often what I do is use the very butt end of my lifeline through the strap. It's very, very long and thick so it can be easily tied with gloves on. I've dropped my compound bow out of a tree stand 3 times while hunting over the years, but have never had a bow or gun come untied while pulling up.
IMO he's worried about the wrong thing and needs good place to put the gun in the stand, and just anything to get it there.
Mmmm…. Y’all way overthinking this. One ‘biner, paracord* pre-tie an anchor bend on it. On sling, secure a soft shackle or better a tight Prusik loop. Go onsite, clip carabiner into loop, lift. What I would prefer, put /two/ soft shackles on either sling end. Clip onto one end, run your line thru the other one. Or clip another carabiner onto to it, then clip your line into it. That way the weapon is better secured and won’t be dangling off vertical on way up to stand.
ReplyDelete*Alternate, #36 bank line, a bit more sticky, but paracord easier on bare hands.
Alan E.
Short piece paracord- loop on the butt end of the sling. No clanking from that. Small cheap carabiner on the end of the pull rope. Condom or electrical tape over the muzzle if there is a concern about debris getting in that end
ReplyDeleteI like that solution.
DeleteThe carabiner on the hoist line will keep it from flying in the breeze and can even clip to a loop on the leg of the stand when not-in-use.
A small loop of paracord on the sling will not clang or catch brush.
WIth regard to the carrying it up, some of the doors on the blinds are small.
simple loop of 550 cord through the sling end, or a soft shackle at the muzzle. Secure with a large rubber band if it slips a bit.
ReplyDeleteMostly, people around here either remove the bold, or open it on an empty magazine (or removed) and sling the firearm either in front or in back and carry it up.
The rope for lowering is a nice thing, but really not necessary....
Safe weapon. Sling over right shoulder (muzzle UP on your back) sling under left arm. Climb. Load up top. This ain't rocket surgery.
ReplyDelete