#Class

If you discuss home defense scenarios with fellow firearms owners, you will almost certainly get a wide variety of ideas and responses. People’s chosen defensive firearms, planning, and training will vary significantly based on their individual backgrounds and a host of other variables. In my particular circle, AR-15s and modern semi-automatic handguns tend to be the go-tos, far more than a trusty old shotgun. This is also the case for me; given my specific training and experience, I am most proficient, comfortable, and well-schooled with these types of guns. My most readily-accessible “bump in the night” firearm for a potential “Alamo” situation in my house is a suppressed, short-barrelled AR pistol with a high-quality weaponlight and optic. Where I live, it normally wouldn’t take long at all for an ambulance and law enforcement to come help me and my family in the event of a violent encounter like a home invasion. However, “normally” is the operative word – and we all know that the last couple of years have been anything but normal.

For many shooters, the simple rifle sling tends to be an oft-forgotten or somewhat ignored piece of kit. Although we typically have and use them, they don’t get paid nearly as much attention as flashier or pricier gear. Plenty of Gunternet dwellers can’t wait to Instagram fancy new optics, suppressors, plate carriers, night vision equipment, and the like, but the humble sling? Meh. Just slap a piece of fabric on the gun, casually drape it over your shoulder, and move on, right? Wrong. A well-designed, well-made, and properly set up sling can offer much greater benefit and functionality than first meets the eye. Would you be surprised if I told you it can actually improve your shooting? Many would be.

When it comes to my shooting hobbies, sometimes I feel like a bit of a black sheep. I am neither a race gun driver, nor a benchrest shooter. I don’t blast IDPA targets and Texas stars with an STI DVC Open, or break 200 rounds per minute cyclic smoking brown cardboard with my braked JP Enterprises AR-15. I don’t compete in F-Class, and I don’t even do Cowboy Action (cue a complete lack of surprise from our readers).

It’s a class like this that gives one true appreciation for the craftsmanship of Nighthawk, Wilson Combat, and the other high-end 1911 manufacturers. I was naive to thinking that working for a firearms company, which we produce thousands of products each month on CNC and engineer and program new products daily would serve as a basis by which to leap into a properly hand-fit 1911.