Slings: Leather or Web?

[Bob Womack]

When I did a little work on my Garand I put a really nice modern repro 1907 leather sling on it for nostalgia's sake. Since I've done some competition shooting with rifles that have Garand web slings. Of the two, I find the web slings much easier to use for three position. It just seems to rig out easier than the leather. I also found that I prefer cotton over nylon because it doesn't bite into the skin as sharply. Does anyone else find this to be true or am I off in a corner by myself?

Bob

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I have a repro 1907 on my M1 in 7.62 because of look and useability. I don't do comp though so I don't have to get as serious. Canvas IS easyer to maintain though.

[Charlie59]

Do any of you remember George B, who used to work at CMPs' North Store? He was in the Army, and said the leather slings were a PITA, and had to be marked with a pen for different adjustments. He greatly preferred the canvas slings' adjustment ease. But, I certainly like the looks of the 1907 better.
Charlie

[Joe W]

Do any of you remember George B, who used to work at CMPs' North Store? He was in the Army, and said the leather slings were a PITA, and had to be marked with a pen for different adjustments. He greatly preferred the canvas slings' adjustment ease. But, I certainly like the looks of the 1907 better.
Charlie

When in boot camp we were tought to mark the web sling also.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I went from reproduction leather slings to WWII vintage web slings initially because I wanted a sling on shooters that was authentic vintage, and found I liked shooting with the web slings better too. They're comfortable and also easy to re-adjust to get the right position.

[Bill Hollinger]

I switched out from a wed sling on my SA M1A because it makes too much noise (rattling and squeaking) while hunting. The 1907 is silent. I'm not shooting competition either but I like the leather sling.

[eldowerks]

I switched out from a wed sling on my SA M1A because it makes too much noise (rattling and squeaking) while hunting. The 1907 is silent. I'm not shooting competition either but I like the leather sling.

The buttstock clip on a cotton web sling does rattle but I've also found that the leather on a newer 1907 sling can squeak while hunting. If you want a really silent sling for hunting, remove the buttstock clip from the web sling and thread the end of the web directly through the buttstock sling swivel. No more rattle.

I have a Turner leather NM sling for show, but I prefer a good GI web sling for ease of adjustment in competition.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Charlie posted while I was writing - I agree the leather sling has much better aesthetics on all these old rifles.

I kept authentic vintage leather slings on the two I don't, or seldom shoot. They're in good shape as far as I could tell, but too expensive and rare to take a chance of using them as they were originally intended. Sometimes old leather can look good but still be weak, and I'd cry a real tear if I tore one - not only the money but destroying an artifact.

[browningautorifle]

On my old pre WW2 I use an origional too. I'd never even sling it because of what Harlan say's. The one I use is from Brownell's a year ago. It's perfect for that.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Just a tip I discovered for new leather slings - New slings usually look out of place to me on an old milsurp. I tried neetsfoot oil, Pecards etc to try to soften and darken brand new slings to no great success. It didn't penetrate the surface very well. Then I used some of my son's break-in solution for new baseball gloves and it worked great to darken and soften new slings. You can find it at any sporting goods store. It's in a liquid form and it penetrates and softens the leather as it's designed to do.

Then I just used some inexpensive cold blue on the bright shiny plated 'brass' buckles.

The photo was just after I treated these and it soaked in evenly after a few days. (The lighter two slings almost looked white before treating them)