Appleseed and shooting with a sling

H

Hank15

New member
So I am registering for an Appleseed event soon and l am looking through the checklist, one of the recommended items was a sling.

I've never shot with a sling before, but I am sure I'll be educated at the event.

That being said, what kind of sling would be appropriate for a Marlin 795 with a Harris Bipod mounted in the front?

I've been told to remove the bipod for the event, but the gun just doesn't balance right for me without it. So if possible, I'd prefer to keep it on.

Please let me know. Also, if you've been to an Appleseed event yourself, please share your experience.

Thanks in advance :D
 
The only bipod you can use at Appleseed is your elbow!! Also, the sling should be the good old USGI web sling(gotta have 1 1/4 inch swivel's). You will be instructed on it's proper use and won't believe how steady you can get with it!! With the USGI sling and proper positions you will be as steady as shooting off of sandbags. No kidding.
You will also learn to break bad shooting habits you don't even know you have!!! Bring a teachable attitude, learn and have fun!!!!
'Mo:)
RWVA Instructor
 
There are a group of shooters who require a 2,000lb concrete bench before they can hit their target with a rifle.

There is another group, but a much smaller group, who use a sling instead.

They always have the sling attached to their rifle ready to be used anytime.

The other group either has to travel to where the bench is located or find some way to bring the bench with them everywhere they go.

I find it MUCH eaiser to carry a sling that is so light that you hardly notice it than trying to drag a bench along with me.

But that is just my opinion and it is based on how I was taught to shoot and my years of competition shooting.

Your opinion may not be the same.
 
As not competition I believe the bipod can stay but you can't use it. You won't want it. To confirm, 1-1/4" swivels (Wal-Mart I think had locking quick-disconnect 'Winchester' ones on a peg) and the silly cotton military web sling is what you want if you are not using a competition leather sling whose keepers are tight enough to really cinch up.

The 795 is front heavy -- maybe the folded bipod moves the center of the weight back some, I dunno. In position with a sling you will not notice this and offhand, well, put a lead ingot or big sinker in the butt like we do with HBAR AR-15's in High Power competition!

But do let them show you how to use that sling, be safe, bring extra staples, and have fun!

PS: do not bother with the Turner Saddlery sling I also refer to here unless you are serious about shooting. You'll need a week to hang weights from it to stretch it out anyway. The cotton sling is not as nice nor as good but much more practical for the little 795.
 
I did the Appleseed a few years ago.

The site recommended the 1907 sling. Turns out it was a real PITA to use, and when mine came apart the instructors couldn't figure out how to put it back together.

I suggest you get the web sling instead. Much more flexible and generally easier to use. Don't bring the bipod, and also consider some sort of peep sight if available for your gun.
 
PS: do not bother with the Turner Saddlery sling I also refer to here unless you are serious about shooting. You'll need a week to hang weights from it to stretch it out anyway. The cotton sling is not as nice nor as good but much more practical for the little 795.
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To be clear, I wasn't suggesting that the OP go out and buy a $60 Turner Saddlery sling (Or $70 Les Tam), just explaining what the guy in the video I linked was talking about. When he says "Turner", substitute in your mind "1907".

Doing a Google shopping search for "1907 sling", shows a lot of choices under $20.

And the 1907 sling is anything but a PITA to use. Quite simple actually. The only potential problem with the design is that some modern rifles have the front swivel farther forward, so a standard length sling may be too short.

If it was a PITA to use, you thing we would still be using them 105 years later?
 
Slings for $10 - $15 +S&H

CMP, Fulton Armory, Appleseed store, etc.

I have 3 because I couldn't find one, then couldn't find its replacement. I have two rifles. I am more likely to buy another rifle than sell the extra sling.

I went to 1.5 Appleseeds. I shot rifleman toward the end of the second Sunday. Sundays are short on instruction, long on AQTs! I used the Marlin 795 with a scope, about the easiest rig to run. If you use a scope, be sure to check that your eye relief is right in prone, that gave me fits. I guess if you are used to a bipod, you are probably set up ok.
 
Sounds like a training issue to me ...... who is training the "instructors"????!!!???
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Appleseed is not a competitive organization, so the 1907 sling is not necessarily part of out instruction/ training. This doesn't mean our instructors shouldn't learn to use the 1907, just means that some of our instructors don't.

All that being said, pick up a GI web sling, cotton ones can be had for about $8 from cmp, or about $15 from midway or fulton armory.
 
Sounds like a training issue to me ...... who is training the "instructors"????!!!???

Appleseed is not a competitive organization, so the 1907 sling is not necessarily part of out instruction/ training. This doesn't mean our instructors shouldn't learn to use the 1907, just means that some of our instructors don't.
Click to expand...

Then I would suggest one take a CMP GSM Clinic, both 1907 style and Web Slings are taught.

Neither is hard to learn and use once you're shown how, and they are not just for competition. I use one for hunting.
 
Where do y'all suggest getting quality rings for the G.I. sling sold by Appleseed store? I didn't have much time to peruse sites to find ones that fit the width of the G.I. before heading back overseas....

I bought a pair of Marlin 795s for my nephew and I to go later this year. I'll be mounting them in Boyds' SS Evolution stocks if this helps.
 
I've been shooting for a very long time and have used slings, but can shoot at least as well, and both more comfortably and quicker without one in any position. Slings seem to work best when shooting long strings of shots at relatively the same target location, but they inhibit quick shots at scattered targets.

For folks who are unsteady, or for target shooters, slings can provide considerable assistance, but seem to work best when using a leather shooting jacket.
 
From what I've read of Appleseed events, you should probably train yourself up on the use of a sling BEFORE going to the event. Things move pretty quick and I've heard they don't show you how to use a sling more than one time.

Be prepared when you get there. Also, sight your rifle in for 25 yards before you go to the event, because that's how far away the targets are going to be. Again, this is what I've heard.
 
Picher;
You should be Hasty. I kill myself. As in Hasty sling. Multi-position basic military small arms firing school is what is included in Appleseed though almost none of the "instructors," as great as they are for doing what they do and moving the ball forward, would know that. And they don't shoot competitive High Power for all intent and purpose. If you've ever seen how cinched up we get for that (see attached) you'd have to laugh!

Distances vary on the range used.
 

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jsimmions, we give one group instruction on the sling, sometimes two, on the first day, and at least once more on day two, but we give a lot of individual instruction. by the second day, usually all students know how to use the sling.

Shane, as to sling swivels, 1 1/4" swivels from uncle mikes are fine

Picher is correct, slings are not necessarily needed for snap shooting, but work very well, without a jacket, for putting consistent hits on distant targets without a rest
 
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