Regarding home defense rifles, there is no shortage of opinions on how they should be set up. Should they have a suppressor? Do I need a weapon light? Should they be an SBR? All these questions are legitimate. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference. One specific item that many people have questions about is a sling. Let’s take a few minutes and see if a rifle sling fits your needs. The ultimate question is to sling or not to sling.

Do We Need a Sling on our Home Defense Rifle?

A rifle sling is an essential part of range and training gear. It allows us to carry our rifles comfortably and gives us a break during long-range sessions. While it undoubtedly has the ability to increase stability, its primary use is a method of carry. For anybody who has spent long hours on the range, you will appreciate this. While your rifle may only weigh in the eight lb. range, it will feel much heavier in your hands after 8 to 10 hours.

Home Defense -To Sling or Not to Sling

The question is, is a sling necessary on a home defense rifle? Well, some may immediately say no and suggest it’s problematic. That may not always be the case. For the most part, a rifle sling is yet an additional piece of gear hanging off your rifle. It can indeed pose some challenges for home defense. Unless you are well versed in using the sling and can be clumsy getting in and out of it. It can also pose a challenge if we change our shooting hand. Once again, a lack of training time in a sling can create a hiccup and home defense situations.

Pros and Cons

Rifle slings are beneficial in situations where you may need your hands. If you are forced to move through your house to secure a child, for example, they can be helpful. If at any point you believe you will need both hands to perform a task, a sling makes life easier. 

Two Point Slings Rule

If you put a sling on your home defense rifle, I encourage you to choose wisely. In my opinion, the two-point sling is the best option, more specifically, a quick-adjustment sling, such as the Larry Vickers Blue Force Gear sling. These slings are designed to be easily adjusted. They allow you to expand and tighten the sling as needed. They’re easy to use, and several models are even padded. 

Make Your Own Decision

So, while strong pro and anti-sling advocates exist,  the choice is still yours. Take a serious look at your home defense plan and decide if a sling is a positive part. Once again, will you need both hands at some point? Will you need to carry a child or help move a loved one? Scenarios like this would have me lean towards a sling. If you live alone and have no real need to move through your house, the sling may not be necessary. As with all aspects of home defense, weigh the positives and negatives and make your own decision.

For more information, visit:https://www.blueforcegear.com/