How to Use a Military Rifle Sling

A rifle sling is handy for carrying a rifle, but perhaps its most important function is as a brace to aid in aiming. Using the sling to stabilize your support arm will increase the accuracy of your shooting.

Instructions

1. Use the sling to carry your rifle. You can sling it over one shoulder, or loop it over your head so that the sling crosses your chest diagonally. Looping the sling over your head lends greater stability, but it will take longer to move the gun into shooting position.

2. Hold the rifle normally in standard shooting position, with the sling hanging down. In the standard shooting position, your trigger hand will be on the pistol grip with your index finger on the trigger guard, and your other arm supporting the gun out in front of your body, just to the muzzle side of the chamber. This applies to standing, prone, kneeling and sitting positions.

3. Pass your support arm (left arm for right-handed shooters) through the loop of the sling, wind the sling around your arm and pass your hand through again.

4. Draw up the slack in the sling and re-grip the rifle with your support hand. The sling should couch your wrist and brace it securely in place.

5. Aim and fire as you normally would, making sure to keep your support elbow pointing straight down, directly beneath the rifle.

References

• More info on rifle slings

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish