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Do any of you forum members ever use a sling on your shotgun? I know that slings are not very common here in the states, but are very popular in Europe. My Valmet O/U 16 gauge has sling swivel studs; one on the stock and another brazed onto the bottom of the bottom barrel. My Belgian guild gun SxS in 16 gauge has some very nice little swivels, one on the stock and the other brazed onto the bottom of the barrels. I bought a nice English made sling for the guild gun from Jeff's Outfitters that fits it very nicely.

These slings sure do make it easy to carry the gun while my hands are carrying other things while walking out to my post on the dove field. I guess it is a cultural thing, but I wish shotguns here in the US put swivels or studs on their shotguns. I am thinking of having a 'smith install them on my 20 gauge Citori. has anyone tried the "no swivel" slip on straps for shotguns? I can't imagine them working very well.
xvigauge

I have used a no swivel carrying strap with a shotgun...it worked with little more to note in either harm or praise....coming and going on a loop.

I had a german SxS with swivels and they ocassioned no downside in use tho ugly as a mud fence after a hailstorm....they were tight enough to not rattle...a plus.
However, I never saw then nor have seen before over 52 seasons a need for a carrying strap on an upland bird scattergun....alders to shortgrass, apps. to Ks.
But, no doubt they suit some folks quite well as few of us hunt in the same manner or in the same area/conditions and, especially, not with the same imagination of needs, advantages, puffery and downsides.

I might purchase another scattergun with swivels tho since if they are properly kitted out....swivels can easily be ignored.
Imo, that should be their lot in life for everyone except their owner.

only on my Gold 10

On my turkey guns, a .410 and a 20 ga., I use a diy one I made from paracord according to the instructions for making a bracelet in the youtube presentation below. I use a Cling rubberized one on my quail/snipe/woodcock/dove guns which have swivel mounts in place on my Darne and Brun-Latrige 16’s. My Robust has the retractable leather sling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCY2WRyJ6Nk

Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 348

I have a sling on my duck guns. For 20ga I use one of those double loop slings also so I can take it off for upland. But when walking into the marsh with a backpack of decoys and bucket seat and other gear, it's critical to have your gun on a sling so you can keep it out of the water and have hands free to hold mud poles so you don't tip over in the marsh.

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

I use them on hunting guns ONLY---helps when your hands are full!

I use them on waterfowl and turkey hunting shotguns. OH

Yes I use a sling on my hammerguns.

My drillings and french double have slings on the original swivels. I added a swivel cap and a stock swivel on my 870 for a sling. I prefer slings on a shotgun. As others said, having hands free for example, to open a gate or use binoculars makes for an easier time.

Member Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 425 Location: Big D

Have it, use it, love it. But I am spoiled, having the bretelle automatique on both my Manufrance Ideals, which retracts into the stock. Not only is it handy in dove season with two armfuls of paraphernalia, but was very welcome last week hiking back to the vehicle in the Nebraska Sandhills with a limit of sharpies.

Off Topic!
Nice birds Gil!
Is that a turtle shell pot call with the 28?

Pronghorn, that is a box turtle shell I found in the woods. I cut the slate to fit to make a friction call. That's a Yildiz .410 btw. Thanks. Gil

Guest

I like slings for waterfowl and game birds in big country. I don't use one on a ruffed grouse/woodcock gun, but I've never found any negatives when out in the open, only plusses.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 601 Location: Virginia

I've installed slings on most of my hunting guns, though some came with them, as did my German guild gun double. I don't know why they're not more popular in the states since almost all hunting rifles come with them.