Quote Originally Posted by Seaforth72 View Post
the band was so springy and stiff that the two lug ends would not come together easily to allow the bolt to line up (with the the sling swivel on the bolt.)
Had the same vexing problem with an early Savage Enfield.

My solution was 1) put a piece of tape on the both sides of the middle of the band (to prevent abrasion) then 2) use a C-Clamp on the middle of the band, screwing it down just enough for the bolt to catch the threaded side of the band.