Slingwork

***Gabe Suarez*** · 08-22-2006, 06:33 AM

SLINGWORK -
And Why I Prefer Simple 2 Point Slings

Look through any news stand gun magazine and you'll invariably see, either in an article or an ad, a photo of some Spec-ops guy wearing a long gun. I say "wearing" because he will probably be using some sort of multi-strap like device harnessing the rifle to his body.

You might ask if this is a bad thing. For some it may not be, but it depends on your mission. My mission and that of my clients is to wring the greatest utility out of an implement, by a single individual, in what are called “in extremis” situations. Specifically operating with the weapon in unfriendly environments in the civilian, or civilian police context.

One may be tempted to raise eyebrows at the notion of a lowly civilian using a rifle, but I hardly need to remind anyone in the Gulf states about what happens during a breakdown in public services. And let’s not forget that we are at war with Islamic Terrorists bent on our destruction, and regardless of how well a reactive force we have, it is simply a matter of time until they succeed with their evil plans. The aftermath of such a man-caused disaster, or a natural disaster will place the single individual in the unenviable position of fending for himself for several weeks.

In such events, Joe the stockbroker, graduate of the entire Suarez International curriculum, will not be storming a Hezbollah stronghold with another dozen deadly, similarly equipped operators. His mission-needs do not call for setting charges, or flex-cuffing anyone. Quite simply, he does not share the same requirements as the Spec-ops poster boy in the tactical sling ad.

To the contrary, the private citizen, operating in extremis has one of two missions. He will either hold his ground and defend his home against the adversaries, or he will “bug out” to safer locales. His problems are defending his survival equipment and supplies from the criminal looters that invariably will come, as well as hiding the fact that he is capable of doing so from any police forces that may decide that the US Constitution no longer applies. Again, don’t laugh…remember the images of out-of-state cops dragging some grandmother away in irons because she refused to disarm.

The civilian defender cannot go about looking like a Spec-ops guy. If he does, he will likely be forcibly disarmed and then have nothing with which to defend his home and his family. Thus stealth is king for him.

What does he need a sling for? What does he need the sling to do?

1). He needs the sling to be simple and stay out of the way. The rifle must be deployable without the need to “strap in”

2). He needs it handy for when it is needed for a free hand.

3). He must be able to transition to the pistol

That is it. Period.

Now Suarez Intl runs a gear store as well, and I could try to convince my students they need a super-high tech multi-strand sling (like the SEALs use right?) to fill my Bahamian bank account with profits. But the truth of the matter is that once the mission is identified, and you equip for the actual mission, we find that the simple two point sling is the best option around.