Hey all, I'm new to the forum, but I've been lurking for a while. I'm convinced that I need a sling for my M&P 15-22. It will primarily be used for plinking/range time and such, and I'm looking at two-point slings. Since the gun is super light, I'm not too concerned about something with padding, but a wide strap and/or bungee would be nice (not essential).
I've been doing some research here and on other forums/web-sites, and I've narrowed it down to what seem to be the three standout slings that everyone recommends:
Vickers Combat Application Sling (VCAS) - $50.00
Viking Tactical (VTAC) - $35 (original) / $40 (wide, padded)
Irene Adaptive Sling (IAS) - $35
Is it really just apples to apples between them? Honestly, I don't see much of a difference between the VCAS and the VTAC. The IAS though is more unique...
I really like the IAS because it's able to quickly convert from one-point to two-point. But it can't actually be shot in the two-point position because the webbing is too short. (In two-point mode, it does seem a lot more secure to your body though) So you ONLY use two-point for transporting the weapon and all the shooting is done in one-point mode. Should I care though? Which do you guys prefer shooting with, a one-point or two-point sling?
Then as far as attachment, since the M&P 15-22 isn't a normal AR, the receiver and buffer tube is actually one piece, so I can't install a sling plate there. (I didn't get the MOE version which comes with one installed) The IAS comes with a nylon buffer tube sling mount that will work, but they recommend a rigid mount instead... That pretty much makes my argument for the IAS and its one-point capability a moot point, huh? I would have to buy a clamp-on sling mount to run a one-point setup.
So I'd really likely just use a rear stock mount and a front rail sling attachment unless I decided to get creative with a clamp-on single-point mount or something... As far as sling mounts, I figured I'd just get a Magpul RSA for the front, but should I consider some type of QD swivel instead? What's the advantage there?
There's a ton of stuff to consider, so any advice would be helpful.
it is 99% preference...to be perfectly honest i built my own sling from strap webbing and a handful of adjustment '8's from a local hobby store for about $9...and then promptly removed it from the rifle because it was in the way too often...
still have it in the range bag, but honestly i found investing a good 'tactical AR' case was a wiser investment--
just my experience...heres a couple pics to demonstrate what i did....hope it helps
I will be getting one soon, there are also lots of rail mounted sling adapters out there as well.
But the only one of those that works is the MCTAR-30HD because it clamps on. The other three are held in place between the receiver and buffer tube. This is what I meant by a clamp-on sling mount.
But the only one of those that works is the MCTAR-30HD because it clamps on. The other three are held in place between the receiver and buffer tube. This is what I meant by a clamp-on sling mount.
They're all clamp-on. Read the manufacturer's description at the top:
As far as slings, unless you aren't really fond of your testes and you have a specific need for a single-point sling, stay away from them. I have a VTAC original 2-point on my 5.56 BCM which I think is an excellent sling. The quick-adjust mechanism allows tight retention when desired and fast transition to shooting, removal, and easy switching to weak-hand side. It attaches easily to a Magpul stock and standard FSB sling point. For the 15-22, you might want something like this on the front:
But the only one of those that works is the MCTAR-30HD because it clamps on. The other three are held in place between the receiver and buffer tube. This is what I meant by a clamp-on sling mount.
yeah they all are clamp on, the 30HD would be a good option for somebody that has a pinned stock.
Tactical Assault Gear makes a plastic hardware version of the VTAC sling for $15 shipped free. Padded Adjustable 2 Point Sling. I added a BLACKHAWK! Rapid Adjust 2 Point Sling - BLACKHAWK! to my 15-22 and really like it. Only drawback is the design limits how tight it can be made unlike the VTAC and TAG slings. It still does the job of getting the rifle out of the way though.
1 pair uncle mikes push button sling swivils, I think about 12.00.
drill through just as MOE version, use a drill press,clamp down good
2 part heavy duty epoxy/glue stuff. Make sure you let it set, this
came out perfect, rock hard.
1 pair uncle mikes push button sling swivils, I think about 12.00.
drill through just as MOE version, use a drill press,clamp down good
2 part heavy duty epoxy/glue stuff. Make sure you let it set, this
came out perfect, rock hard.
dun.
this is how i did ours as well, but only on the left side.
works great.. use it with a Magpul sling
Amazon has a Rail Mounted QD Quick Detach Push Button Sling Swivel w/ Base for $10.99 that I added to mine along with a $9.00 sling I found at a local sporting goods store.
Well, you are correct of course.... in my excitement to find the part at such a price I overlooked that is PTS for "training and simulation" only.
Question: given it is a sling adapter for my rail, is this going to be okay to use or do I need to send it back? Thanks...
geeeez...
At least it's metal, right? Might do okay but I really don't know haha. Even if it does, I'm not buying airsoft things for my firearm. Polymer .22 rifle or not
actually i really like the one point sling set up, all i did was remove the sling attachment that came with the factory stock and moved it to the front part of the buffer tube using the same screw, i just drilled and tapped a hole. its plenty strong for what i use it for, the rifle is pretty light so no ploblem after two years. pghrich
I went with a Magpul MS3 on mine, with the Rail Sling Attachment.
It's a solid piece of kit. Converting between single and two-point is simple (even under stress), and the hardware seems very solid and well-engineered. It's easy to adjust on the fly.
Few folks use a "single point sling" more than once. At least not without a jockstrap and steel "cup" to protect vital family areas. It's called "the pendulum of pain" for a reason... They do look kool posing for your carbine class photo wearing ACU pants a black polo shirt, and, of course, sunglasses.
Two point sling preference varies but the latest darling of the sling crowd seems to be rear of stock to a point just forward of the delta ring. Both on the side of the rifle. Second preference is front of handguards (where the M4 swivel is mounted) to one of those stock plate thingies that fit easily on the M4 but not on the M&P15-22.
I've got a USGI sling ordered and been doing some reading on the use of the sling. A couple of sources stated that using this type of sling on an AR style rifle will actually change the point of impact due to the stress from the sling mounted forward on the rail. Anybody know for sure?
Hello, yes that is correct, especially if you use the sling as an aid in offhand shooting, once you get use to it all is well, that is another reason for the one point sling, i just use it as a means to carry the rifle between targets, pghrich
Really? Just the stud or the whole mount for the handguard? Have an estimate of the cost?
The whole mount. Front and back. $30 - $40 for the pair.
As far as the sling changing the POI, yes, unless you have a free float hand guard, then it is almost nothing. All the flex goes into the hand guard and not into the barrel. All the torque goes into the barrel nut on both the M&P-15 and the 15-22. To free float the 15-22, remove the hand guard end cap. Or you can put on a standard AR aluminum free float hand guard.
I ordered a two point sling with stock d-ring accessory adapter from BDS Tactical in Oceanside CA. Got the sling but did not get the adapter. I have called them 6 times and left messages and e-mailed them 3 times. Anyone know of any other contact? Anyone have similar issues with BDS, aka R&S Tactical.
1 pair uncle mikes push button sling swivils, I think about 12.00.
drill through just as MOE version, use a drill press,clamp down good
2 part heavy duty epoxy/glue stuff. Make sure you let it set, this
came out perfect, rock hard.
dun.
Nice. Now that's a great job. I will be doing this. I live in Cali and I couldn't find the MOE version.
But the only one of those that works is the MCTAR-30HD because it clamps on. The other three are held in place between the receiver and buffer tube. This is what I meant by a clamp-on sling mount.
No that is the only one that will NOT work because the fake buffer tube of the rifle has the lower extension go all the way to the reciever and the MCTAR-30HD will only fit around a bare round tube. I used an MCTAR-13 on my PC model and it works fine. Just pop off the stock, slide the adapter on and clamp it around the buffer tube lower extension, then put the stock back on. You will lose the shortest stock postion but who uses that?
photoracer: what about the MCTAR-30? It looks very good and would work with my setup (MP15-22)...
Not sure without looking at it but you can't use one designed for a normal AR-15 buffer tube because the 15-22 integral tube has the lower extension for the stock notched lower extesion going all the way to the receiver for extra strength. A normal AR buffer tube has that stop short so the end by the receiver is just the round tube. And since you have to slide one on the end of the tube for the 15-22 you have to use one that has the lower cutout for the stock's notch extension. An AR-15 one with a round hole is put on by removing the castle nut and taking the stock off the receiver, putting it on and remounting the stock. Can't do that with a 15-22. What ever you get it has to have the round buffer tube hole and the cutout below that for the stock extension. Also can't use any of the ones that are designed to replace the locating plate below the castle nut. That is what I use on my real ARs. That QR type should be used up on the front of the handguard or way down at the end of the stock.
This is an example how mine looks: http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...YfoQD4xzEjHLVb
Ok I looked at the MCTAR-30 and it should work as long as there is a screw below the lower part to clamp it tight to the polymer tube. I am not a big fan of the full sling type attachments because any thing used at this point on the rifle will be a single point sling not a full 2 point one and I don't like the idea of so much play in a single point location.
Last edited by photoracer; 12-03-2012 at 01:16 AM.
Would anybody want some push button sling swivel sockets for the picatinny rail and the collapsable stock?
My 2 cents... not really. The reason? I think the sling swivel design is bulky and rattles to much. That design is stock on the MOE at the rear of the lower and I will take it, but don't dig it. I think the better design for picatinny mount is something like the Magpul ASP. That is, a fixed non moving parts based sling attachment mount. IMHO
Would anybody want some push button sling swivel sockets for the picatinny rail and the collapsable stock?
If it's what I'm looking for, then yes (for the front).
I don't use a sling every time I shoot, so QD is the best option for me. When I want to remove the sling, it's very easy to do and I'm not left with little metal parts swinging around or getting in the way.
I often go from single-point to two-point when I do use a sling. It's nice to have at least one rotation limited socket in the mix. Both is even better IMO. On my 15-22 I have a Troy pro grade QD mount in the back, and a Magpul RSA in the front. I'm not liking the RSA though. It gets in my way.
I am working to set mine up just like I had my m4 in the army, and I had a three point that had a really tight set runner from the front sling mount to the stock, and the sling itself started right about where the ejection port sits on the opposite side, and wrapped to the base of the stock. Being that the rifle is polymer, would it cause issues to have the runner really tight? I'm afraid it would cause the polymer to warp over time, am I being overly cautious, or am I thinking correctly?
If it's what I'm looking for, then yes (for the front).
I don't use a sling every time I shoot, so QD is the best option for me. When I want to remove the sling, it's very easy to do and I'm not left with little metal parts swinging around or getting in the way.
I often go from single-point to two-point when I do use a sling. It's nice to have at least one rotation limited socket in the mix. Both is even better IMO. On my 15-22 I have a Troy pro grade QD mount in the back, and a Magpul RSA in the front. I'm not liking the RSA though. It gets in my way.
Then maybe you like this design? I have these on 2 other AR's.
Nothing to remove and if you have the piece that stays on the rail, why not just use one like this that has no parts to remove?
I would have to remove the mount when I want to completely ditch the sling. I would also lose the ability to go from single to two-point, or even use that style of sling.
I like taking my sling off when I'm shooting gophers from the truck or 4-wheeler. I also like being able to use the same sling on multiple rifles.
The mount you showed you liked leaves a portion of the mount on the rail at all times. You just undo the QD portion and remove that and leave the base affixed to the rail.
SO, this one, like that one, is affixed to the rail at all times. BUT it is 1 step better as there are no moving parts to remove. You just unclip the sling and your done. No extra dangling piece.
So no, you do not in any way have to remove the mount to ditch the sling. Nor do you loose the ability to go from single to double sling.
I have a sling, my rifles have a mount at the buffer tube. I click my sling into that and now.. I am 1 point sling. OR, I can click into this mount up at the rail and I am now 2 point. Not lost anything, not removing any part of the mount.
I think this is more coming down to the type of sling setup you have and not so much about these 2 mounts as I can do what I just said with my sling and loose nothing and take nothing off and can go 1 or 2 point. I think you have the QD swivel(s) attached hanging from your slings whereas I use HK snap hooks on my slings.
Last edited by Locked-N-Loaded; 12-06-2012 at 05:35 PM.
Check out the Condor line of slings. Very, very well made. Very affordable. Many configurations. A fraction of the price of same more "higher end" names for not any better quality parts and craftsmanship as far as I can tell.
It's funny the way single point slings have gotten a bad name. To each his own. I have a single point on all my AR's. I wear it with my left arm through the sling (I'm a rightie.)
Allows me to hang the weapon on my left side/access to the handgun/quick recovery back to the rifle. I've never hit myself in the nether area nor have I whacked my knees (common complaints of the single sling detractors.). Granted, I wouldn't want to take a long hike with the rifle in that position, but I'm don't fancy a long hike with any tactical sling if you're not using one hand to take up some of the weight.
I was using a Blackhawk nylon strap on the 15-22, but I've gone to an aluminum mount with ambi rings that slips over the tube. I can't think of the manufacturer at the moment, but if I get a chance tomorrow I'll post the name and a pic.
The mount you showed you liked leaves a portion of the mount on the rail at all times. You just undo the QD portion and remove that and leave the base affixed to the rail.
SO, this one, like that one, is affixed to the rail at all times. BUT it is 1 step better as there are no moving parts to remove. You just unclip the sling and your done. No extra dangling piece.
So no, you do not in any way have to remove the mount to ditch the sling. Nor do you loose the ability to go from single to double sling.
I have a sling, my rifles have a mount at the buffer tube. I click my sling into that and now.. I am 1 point sling. OR, I can click into this mount up at the rail and I am now 2 point. Not lost anything, not removing any part of the mount.
I think this is more coming down to the type of sling setup you have and not so much about these 2 mounts as I can do what I just said with my sling and loose nothing and take nothing off and can go 1 or 2 point. I think you have the QD swivel(s) attached hanging from your slings whereas I use HK snap hooks on my slings.
The last part nailed it.
I thought you were using that sling mount to weave a nylon strap through. The HK hook makes sense now. It wouldn't work with my current setup though.
I grabbed a Magpul MS3 and RSA so I'd have the option of single or double point. Both of these pieces seem very nice to me.
I really couldn't stand the mount point on the OE buttstock, kept getting in the way. I wound up replacing the buttstock w/ an ACS to get a little more length and more comfortable cheek weld so now I have no stock sling mount point.
I wound up picking up a Blackhawk Ambi Sling Adapter on a lark at Bass Pro today w/o really looking too closely at it and discovered after installing it that there's no way to hook the MS3 to it. Anyone have any ideas on how to adapt it or know for sure of another clamp style buffer tube adapter that will work? I'm thinking from the pics the MI MCTAR-13 or MCTAR-30 would work, but the MS3 hook is sort of large.
crud. i went to my LGS and picked up parts for my sling mount project. i was working on it this afternoon when my dremel cutting wheel grabbed onto the part and flung it off my condo balcony.
i gotta start all over again. i am not having a good month
Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Thread, Sling and Sling Mount options in Smith & Wesson Rifles and Shotguns; Hey all, I'm new to the forum, but I've been lurking for a while. I'm convinced that I need a ...