Slings: Leather or Web?

[Kirk]

I have several M1907 slings made by Turner. All are excellent quality. Two are his "All weather" synthetic slings. They seem to be easier to adjust (albeit different technique) than the leather model. They do not stretch. The leather slings stretch with time & use. I also use M1 web sling made from cotton canvas. I like them better than the M1907 because they are easier to adjust, don't stretch (once broken in) and more supple.

The CMP "Sling, M1 Web Sling Used SERVICE GRADE" https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catal...ogList&cat=PAS at $5.95. If you order one, ask for the USGI slings with parkerized harware. Mixed in with them are foreign made versions with blued hardware and canvas with a different weave and slightly lighter weight canvas. The USGI sling is heavier, better.

You may also enjoy A Short History of the the Sling : pronematch.com

[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.

[AZPhil]

I was thinking about getting a Turner leather NM slings to use while I shoot in the CMP western games. My web sling keeps slipping forward when I'm shooting in the prone position. Now I'm not sure!!!!!

So what should I look into?

[RCS]

on the cotton slings, they use to tape the sling hooks and clamp keepers and sometimes the stacking swivel to reduce noise. There was even an issue item: Tape, cellulose, muzzle cover stock number No 53-T-1085 that could also be used

[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.

[emmagee1917]

AZphil , your slide may be loose/worn/sprung . Does it have the rib along the back and rounded drum shape were it grabs the web or smooth back and a flat plate for a grabber ? Put a couple of layers of electrical tape on the "drum " to tighten the grab. If that solves your problem , it is your problem.
I've been thinking about switching all my slings to new repros because my originals are just getting to old and valuable these days. I found a source for good , made in the USA webs for $15 per. I bought three and have been trying to destroy them / make them slip / fail . Slung one over a rafter and hung as much of my weight from it as I could - sling never budged . The slide looks to be mil-spec , but the two tabs that are bent over to run along the sling are not bent as far down as a GI original. A metal plate and a vice fixes that in a minute , allowing the loose sling end to set lower / flater / smoother along the slide atop the other sling layer , therefore allowing the slide latch a few more degrees of closing for a better lock-up.
Chris

[Sarge1998]

I was frustrated also using Neatsfoot oil, it just didn't seem to get dark enough. I tried using a paint brush and really soaked those straps, took two coats using this method, after drying overnight they looked great. I've done over a dozen 1907 straps in this manner the past year and they all look very good, will only take a small treatment once a year or two to maintain the condition.

[AZPhil]

Hi Emmagee1917. Its not the buckle that keeps slipping, its the sling when I tighten it around my arm. It keeps sliding forward. I was hoping that a leather sling would not silde as much.
I start with it all the way back by my armpit and when I'm done shooting its slides up to the front. I've tried to keep it as tight as I can(hands tingle) but it always works its way forward.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

[emmagee1917]

I don't shoot competition match . I shoot mostly " hasty sling " using mostly 1917 Kerrs , a few 1923s , one or two 1907s . I've prefered the Kerrs , but they are getting long in the tooth . The web M1s I have are WW2 originals that are worn ,so they slip a little . I also did not trust the slide's lock that much. Been playing with three new repros this last couple of weeks and the seem to do well so far . Others say they are just as good as leather in competition and they seem to be in position holding and dry firing , but I've yet to shoot them in other than "hasty" position.
Your webs are cotton web and not nylon , yes ?
Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in .
Chris

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Have you seen, or possibly tried the reproduction Kerr slings Chris? (I'm just curious because I have never handled one) I don't know if they have the quality of the old originals, but from photos they sure look almost exactly the same.

Just wonder if a brand new reproduction might work better than an old worn original. Back when I was looking at them, the maker was in the U.S. and trying to make a quality sling using the old design.