Strike Industries will soon be selling a nifty gadget called the Sling Catch. It attaches to a pack or armor and keeps a rifle or shotgun sling from biting into your neck. SI told me they have not yet finalized the MSRP.
This is the kind of idea that makes sense for about a second, until you realize all the drawbacks. The thinking behind this type of accessory is really one of the problems with military training and mindset. Products that save us time or effort are great. This product is neither. I’m sure there are applications outside of duty use and combat for this product, and I think that those are the types of activities this item would be useful for.
For the soldier or LEO, this thing would cause a hell of an issue trying to switch shoulders. As we’ve seen in the past, the ability to switch shoulders is an important ability to have. The other problem I see is exactly what this thing was aimed to do. Getting a little irritation on the side of my neck is of no concern to me when I’m in combat. If a sling rubbing on your neck is a big problem for you, then maybe combat or LEO work is not for you. Again, mindset! If you want the sling off your neck during patrol or barricade duties, then just place it on your shoulder. The sling will stay there as long as you’re not running the gun. If you start running the gun, then you have a lot more to worry about than your neck getting scraped up by the sling. Mindset!
I don’t want a huge snagging hazard attached to my shoulder. Again, this thing would be great for a hunter, or maybe some other non fighting use. That’s great. But, this product is a fail for serious duty use!
4 
0I was thinking the exact same thing. But I’d really appreciate this for hunting, since I often tighten my sling a lot to steady my rifle. I’ve actually gotten the equivalent of rug burn on my shoulder from my sling.
0 0I think the best solution to this issue is to just run a sling that itself is wide and padded in the area where it would be touching your neck/shoulder.
2 0Huh…that’s actually a REALLY great idea. I wonder why something like this has only just now hit the market.
2 0It hit the market a few hundred years ago, but degenerated into a ceremonial item called the Epaulette. All those shoulder strap things, that is what they do, or a stiff mandarin collar.
It does look to be an improvement though.
2 0Yes. The original shoulder thingy that goes up…
1 0‘Cause we’ve always had 550 cord. Give me 550 cord and Ductape and I can make damn near anything.
1 0No one thinks this will turn the “sling digging into my neck” into a “sling catch digging into my shoulder” situation? I like Mac’s velcro idea better.
2 0I agree with Brian here, im surprised that a product like this has taken so long to come out. I know that this will add a bit of comfort on exercises/ operations for soldiers.
1 0Why not just feed it under the shoulder protector of the armour?
You honestly don’t want something on your body armour that “snags” .
Even if it is purposely designed to do so.
1 0It would work if the weapon in mind has a two point sling and is drapped diagonal across the body. Otherwise, it does not meet the needs of the user. I had my shotgun on a one point sling with a quick disconnet and my M9 in a SERPA holster. I looked back at my deployment photos and I can’t honestly see any soldier that would need one.
1 0Nice observation, Mr. Haynes! I thought the epaulette was just made to hold my speaker mic and whistle chain!
I have many, many hours of an AR tugging at my neck at work. I would definitely buy several of these.
Randall
http://www.BlueSheepdog.com
Protecting Those Who Serve
1 0Something like this is exactly what I need. But the design is a bit too bulky. Best just using a couple of strips of web with some Velcro tabs for prolonged use. Cos lets face it, I think that might tend to slip round and end up pressed against your neck on certain types of body armour … I.e the one in the picture!
1 0Guys, Just let you know Mr. Miles from team 3 built up this Sling Catch based on his battle experience. He will do demonstration very soon. 
0 0I remember seeing this integrated into some manufacturer’s body armor. I dont remember the company but it was a neat idea
0 0I think its a fantastic idea!
I can’t wait
0 0I guess this obviates any need for weak side firing.
0 0The idea is good but the design looks very inefective to me.
0 0IF you use a sling. Which implies urban CQB and special teams with a high risk factor of standing around for long periods of time at road junctions or the steps of public buildings.
Field infantry, no. Slings are a detriment to woodcraft and removed. The upper swivel taped down, and the weapon held ready in port.
The ACU’s have a mandarin collar, button up.
1 2MarkM,
Why would using a sling imply CQB and special teams?
I use one, and I don’t do either of those things.
1 0Exactly. When I was in the Corps as a Reservist we were taught to shoot using our slings for support and this was both in Basic and MCT (a mini grunt school for non-grunts) and applied through all of my rifle quals. The only time I was taught (as a non-grunt granted) to remove the sling and the tape the front sling swivel was on a simulated night patrol.
Regardless, this thing would have come in very useful during my time in, not for field ops as much as humps, I always had a hard time keeping my rifle on my shoulder. Between my my pack and the flack it was always chore for me to keep my rile slung, it would always either start to slide off or I would have to put in an uncomfortable position to try to keep it slung on my shoulder.
1 0Not a good idea in uniform can get snagged very easily.
0 1I think that’s the point. The sling “snags” on it to stop it from cutting into your jugular.
0 0I think that’s the point. The sling “snags” on it to stop it from cutting into your neck.
0 0I don’t know what you would be supporting with your off hand shoulder that it would snag on…
I mean, the same could be said for the clips that fasten camelback tubes to the shoulder supports of battle vests. Or pretty much anything that goes over the shoulder.
Plus, it looks to be plastic, so if it got somehow snagged in a life or death scenario you could just force it till it broke.
0 0
Guys, Just let you know Mr. Miles from team 3 built up this Sling Catch based on his battle experience. He will do demonstration very soon.
This is the kind of idea that makes sense for about a second, until you realize all the drawbacks. The thinking behind this type of accessory is really one of the problems with military training and mindset. Products that save us time or effort are great. This product is neither. I’m sure there are applications outside of duty use and combat for this product, and I think that those are the types of activities this item would be useful for.
For the soldier or LEO, this thing would cause a hell of an issue trying to switch shoulders. As we’ve seen in the past, the ability to switch shoulders is an important ability to have. The other problem I see is exactly what this thing was aimed to do. Getting a little irritation on the side of my neck is of no concern to me when I’m in combat. If a sling rubbing on your neck is a big problem for you, then maybe combat or LEO work is not for you. Again, mindset! If you want the sling off your neck during patrol or barricade duties, then just place it on your shoulder. The sling will stay there as long as you’re not running the gun. If you start running the gun, then you have a lot more to worry about than your neck getting scraped up by the sling. Mindset!
I don’t want a huge snagging hazard attached to my shoulder. Again, this thing would be great for a hunter, or maybe some other non fighting use. That’s great. But, this product is a fail for serious duty use!
I was thinking the exact same thing. But I’d really appreciate this for hunting, since I often tighten my sling a lot to steady my rifle. I’ve actually gotten the equivalent of rug burn on my shoulder from my sling.
I remember seeing this integrated into some manufacturer’s body armor. I dont remember the company but it was a neat idea
I guess this obviates any need for weak side firing.
I think the best solution to this issue is to just run a sling that itself is wide and padded in the area where it would be touching your neck/shoulder.
It would work if the weapon in mind has a two point sling and is drapped diagonal across the body. Otherwise, it does not meet the needs of the user. I had my shotgun on a one point sling with a quick disconnet and my M9 in a SERPA holster. I looked back at my deployment photos and I can’t honestly see any soldier that would need one.
I think its a fantastic idea!
I can’t wait
No one thinks this will turn the “sling digging into my neck” into a “sling catch digging into my shoulder” situation? I like Mac’s velcro idea better.
Why not just feed it under the shoulder protector of the armour?
You honestly don’t want something on your body armour that “snags” .
Even if it is purposely designed to do so.
Something like this is exactly what I need. But the design is a bit too bulky. Best just using a couple of strips of web with some Velcro tabs for prolonged use. Cos lets face it, I think that might tend to slip round and end up pressed against your neck on certain types of body armour … I.e the one in the picture!
The idea is good but the design looks very inefective to me.
IF you use a sling. Which implies urban CQB and special teams with a high risk factor of standing around for long periods of time at road junctions or the steps of public buildings.
Field infantry, no. Slings are a detriment to woodcraft and removed. The upper swivel taped down, and the weapon held ready in port.
The ACU’s have a mandarin collar, button up.
MarkM,
Why would using a sling imply CQB and special teams?
I use one, and I don’t do either of those things.
Exactly. When I was in the Corps as a Reservist we were taught to shoot using our slings for support and this was both in Basic and MCT (a mini grunt school for non-grunts) and applied through all of my rifle quals. The only time I was taught (as a non-grunt granted) to remove the sling and the tape the front sling swivel was on a simulated night patrol.
Regardless, this thing would have come in very useful during my time in, not for field ops as much as humps, I always had a hard time keeping my rifle on my shoulder. Between my my pack and the flack it was always chore for me to keep my rile slung, it would always either start to slide off or I would have to put in an uncomfortable position to try to keep it slung on my shoulder.
Nice observation, Mr. Haynes! I thought the epaulette was just made to hold my speaker mic and whistle chain!
I have many, many hours of an AR tugging at my neck at work. I would definitely buy several of these.
Randall
http://www.BlueSheepdog.com
Protecting Those Who Serve
Not a good idea in uniform can get snagged very easily.
I think that’s the point. The sling “snags” on it to stop it from cutting into your jugular.
I think that’s the point. The sling “snags” on it to stop it from cutting into your neck.
I don’t know what you would be supporting with your off hand shoulder that it would snag on…
I mean, the same could be said for the clips that fasten camelback tubes to the shoulder supports of battle vests. Or pretty much anything that goes over the shoulder.
Plus, it looks to be plastic, so if it got somehow snagged in a life or death scenario you could just force it till it broke.
I agree with Brian here, im surprised that a product like this has taken so long to come out. I know that this will add a bit of comfort on exercises/ operations for soldiers.
Huh…that’s actually a REALLY great idea. I wonder why something like this has only just now hit the market.
‘Cause we’ve always had 550 cord. Give me 550 cord and Ductape and I can make damn near anything.
It hit the market a few hundred years ago, but degenerated into a ceremonial item called the Epaulette. All those shoulder strap things, that is what they do, or a stiff mandarin collar.
It does look to be an improvement though.
Yes. The original shoulder thingy that goes up…