PSA: you should really have a sling

If you walk down the firing line at most public indoor ranges, you’ll notice something pretty quickly: almost nobody runs a sling on their rifle. A lot of folks view a sling simply as a carrying strap—something you use to haul a hunting rifle out to a deer blind and then immediately take off. But in the context of a modern defensive carbine, treating a sling like an optional accessory is a massive oversight. In the practical shooting world, a sling isn’t just a strap; it is the holster for your rifle.

​Think about it like this: if you have to transition to a secondary tool, render first aid, climb over an obstacle, or even just open a door, you need your hands free. If you don't have a sling, your only options are to awkwardly tuck the rifle under your arm or physically set it down on the ground. Neither of those is an acceptable solution. A quality two-point sling keeps the weapon secured to your body and positively under your control at all times, no matter what else your hands are doing.

​For years, my default recommendation for outfitting a new carbine has been something like the Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Sling. The magic of the Vickers sling is the quick-adjust pull tab. When you are just moving around or doing administrative tasks, you pull the tab tight, and the rifle is pinned securely against your chest. When it’s time to shoot, or if you need to transition the rifle to your weak shoulder to work around a barricade, you just grab the tab and instantly punch it out to give yourself the slack you need. It’s incredibly intuitive.

​Getting used to working around a sling takes some reps. You have to figure out how to swim out of it quickly and how to manage the extra webbing so it doesn't snag on your gear. When we are out on the range working on transitions or dynamic movement with slings, maintaining a safe environment is everything. You have to be hyper-aware of where your muzzle is pointing when the rifle drops against your chest, and your trigger finger must stay completely indexed on the receiver until your sights are back on target. Because these drills involve a lot of movement and multitasking with live firearms, we always keep our training bays closed to minors. It ensures every adult on the line can maintain total focus on safe handling without any unexpected distractions.

​Building out a carbine involves a lot of small choices, and I usually get my soft gear and slings directly through Brownells. The market is flooded with cheap, knockoff nylon that frays and breaks under tension, so it’s just easier to use a supplier that actually vets their inventory. If your defensive rifle is currently sitting in the safe without a sling attached to it, fix that. Get a solid two-point, learn how to adjust it on the fly, and understand how to actually retain your weapon.