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Hi All,
I just managed to secure one of these for my reenacting group and I'm not sure it's complete. Was the L2A1 "Sling Adjustable Metal Runner" ever deleted from the assembly? The gentleman I bought this sling from said it had come to him new and unissued, so I'm wondering if the part is missing or intentionally deleted by the Army.
Thanks in advance!
The Army Arctic Sling is made up of 2 components:-
SLING, small arms, polyester, L2A1 (1005-99-962-5382)
SLING, small arms, polyester, L3A1 (1005-99-963-5821)
Joined together they make a complete Army Arctic Sling.
Can you post a pic of your sling, I will be able to tell if its complete.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...89004ec9-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ticsetup-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...16a4b0be-1.jpg
OK, in Fig. 22 (the second image) the part labeled "L2A1 Sling Adjustable Metal Runner" is the part that looks to be missing.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC06858-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC06857-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC06856-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC06855-1.jpg
thats a sling for a Heckler and Koch, (the diagonal bar in the "window", the L1A1 sling has a larger window with a stright bar)
Skiprat,
What model of HK? MP5 or something else?
I remember that we had zillions of the bits and pieces to convert the L1A1 rifle to the Arctic sling configuration. Butts, butt sling loop assemblies and the handguard bands etc etc. What a palava to fit that lot to a batch of rifles going North. And then having to return them to standard configuration afterwards. The same applied to the L2 Sterling guns too!
Once again, the REAL answer was to just use the longer Bren sling. That was long enough to allow you to sling the rifle over your thermal clothing. Or better still, later, the GPMG sling!
As Skiprat has said yours is a sling for the MP5 SMG. Not a Arctic sling for the L1A1 Rifle or Stirling SMG[COLOR="black"]
The main advantage of this type of sling was the ability to carry the rifle straight up and down the center of the back as the sling enables it to be worn over both shoulders like a rucksack.
Blast, back to the drawing board... Thanks for the info everyone!
The trouble with slinging the rifle or SMG down the back was that it wasn't easily 'get-at-able' in an emergency especially while wearing thick winter thermals. Whereas carrying the rifle down across the chest on a long sling it was easily accessible AND allowed you to use your skis!
They look like the MP5 slings that I've had here. Both the black and green.Quote:
Originally Posted by Longshaor
As a matter of interest BAR, what sort of arctic sling did you use on the L1's in Canada. I assume that you do have cold/wintery weather in Canada......!
Yes, we do get snow...I also did that thing in Alaska just for good measure. We used the standard sling at all times on every different op. No difference. It wasn't until Bosnia in about 92 that we came up with a different style sling, and that was for the Colt rifle. The FN was always just the one in the books...
Thanks for that BAR. Just as I learned/heard about the 'arctic sling' for our L1A1. A lot of effort to achieve what a simple LONGER sling would and did achieve in the first place!
A similar event occurred with the SA80. A lot of people, including me, took to using it with the bog standard but VERY versatile SMG sling. The 'problem' arose when you had to use the issue sling for shooting comps and all that goes with it. So you just get on with it. Though looking back, the SA80- sling wasn't too bad at all really. Just a case of getting used to it! A bit like the rifle I suppose
OK, so now that we've established that this isn't an Arctic Sling, does anyone know where I can find one?
Or better still longshoar......., look for an H&K, preferably the MP5 kind, to match your sling!
Alas, the MP5 is specifically prohibited in my state.
The desire to land a real-deal Army Arctic Sling is for my reenacting group. We've got most of the kit we need to show a Para as they would have been kitted out in Norway, but this is one of the items we're missing.