So I saw on Facebook that Strike Industries is launching a new product which they describe as:

 

"The Tactical Sling Catch has been designed with the input of Special Force Group operators to eliminate a problem that nearly ALL weapon slings share. This is the chaffing of the neck from the webbing material use in their construction. While some maybe less abrasive than others, such as tubular webbing and softer material than thicker canvas materials, all will cause irritation and chaffing over a short period of time. This known issue is magnified when wearing any sort of body armor or outer tactical vest (OTV).

 

The Tactical Sling Catch addresses the issue by keeping the webbing material away from the operators neck. It is attached and secured to the shoulder pad/strap of the vest by means of a heavy duty Velcro strap. The low profile design allows quick don and doff of the weapon sling while being virtually snag free when moving through heavy brush."

 

Here's some pictures to give you a better idea of what they meant:

 

 

Is this a useful product for those of you who use slings religiously?

Some slings try to saw through your neck. So it's not absurd. Well done vs. well intended, no idea.

I notice that last week at a range in PA. first time in a while ive gotten to use most of my gear. shit was gnawing at my neck. I thought of using a Carabiner or velcro strap. wonder how well this works? 

Yep that looks useful

Reminds me of my seatbelt in my truck. Fooker did the same thing. The make a lambskin sheathe that worked great. Prior, used heavy duty paper clips, bolts, you name it. Was asked why we refused to wear them. That is why! Would cut our heads off if we were ever in a collision. So yea, sounds viable.

Armor Express has had a similar product for a few years now as an option on their heavy vests. Meh.... It doesn't really work.

 

It makes your sling roll over and as soon as you take the weight off the sling - by shouldering the rifle/shotgun/subgun - the sling pops right out. Doesn't work well with padded slings either.

 

IMO - Total gimmick.

 

A mandarin collar, hooded sweatshirt, turtleneck, collared shirt, etc... works better. Actually lifting the rifle when moving it instead of just dragging the sling across your neck works well too.

Alternatively, you could take the kung fu movie approach:

Find the roughest material you can and rub it across your neck for several hours a day everyday, making your neck skin impervious to abrasion.

You should see the scar my son got at PJ Indoc from his sling - looks like someone tried to saw through his neck. I may pick this up as a stocking stuffer for him. Thanks for highlighting it!

Does anyone think its feasible to try the carabiner thing? If its hot as balls out i'd assume you want to avoid any clothing item sealing in the swampness from the neck down. As HE said, i wonder if that sucker would just pop right out when shouldering, and I guess a fully enclosed similar item would have its drawbacks as well

I just spent a long weekend carrying my Colt 6940 all around the ranch in Tx. The biggest pain in the ass (neck)? The sling chafing my neck.

I swapped between single and dual point carry configurations, but still wound up with chafing, no matter what I did.

Think I'm going to add a pad to the sling to at least make it slightly more comfortable. Not sure that the caribiner would work, but willing to try the least expensive option first.

 

Might order this puppy and give it a real world trial and see how it works out.

Pad won't really help the neck issue - in fact, in my experience it makes it worse.

 

The pad will help any uncomfort on the shoulder from the actual weight of the rifle but actually increases the neck chafing as the sling is now wider.

 

Again, a collared shit - think golf shirt - helps a lot or get one if those "combat" shirts with the high collar.

Or one of these. Keeps your neck toasty in winter, cool in the summer. Just ask the sheep who donated and me... Lol..

 

http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Expressions-Sheepskin-Shoulder-Pad-Grey/dp/B000CAINRK

 

If I put that on my rifle, one of my teammates will try to fuck it....

Pad won't really help the neck issue - in fact, in my experience it makes it worse.

 

The pad will help any uncomfort on the shoulder from the actual weight of the rifle but actually increases the neck chafing as the sling is now wider.

 

Again, a collared shit - think golf shirt - helps a lot or get one if those "combat" shirts with the high collar.

I think a collared shirt might be a better option. It was pretty warm out, so I just had a thin tee shirt on. Sling was chafing on my neck, and it only got worse when I started sweating. After 4-5 hours, my neck got pretty irritated.

 

H.E., any particular 'combat' shirt that you recommend? I would be looking for something more geared towards warmer weather.

 

Thanks!!

True spec makes a decent one, so does 5.11, Massif, and Crye. Some are A LOT of cash, most are reasonable and you can usually find solid colors in addition to the camo ones.

 

Velocity systems Boss Rugby is nice too, but I think they don't have much of a collar anymore on the newest version.

 

Hell, an regular Under Armor golf shirt would be better than a T-Shirt. Has a collar and is made of wicking material to dry sweat faster keeping you cool.

Thanks, I'll look into those!

If I put that on my rifle, one of my teammates will try to fuck it....

roflmaowpimp!

I've played Airsoft with slings and high mandarin collared shirts.  Not really a huge help.  I use a MIssion Spec Irene Adaptive Sling as well as the Magpul MS2/MS3 and various other 1 point slings.... The sling will move up and chafe no matter what.

I've played Airsoft with slings and high mandarin collared shirts.  Not really a huge help.  I use a MIssion Spec Irene Adaptive Sling as well as the Magpul MS2/MS3 and various other 1 point slings.... The sling will move up and chafe no matter what.

 

Also use the Irene sling, That's why i'm thinking this little hook thingy or a carabiner might be better than nothing at all

Mandarin Collar? Sounds like one of those phrases like Dirty Sanchez...

When I played paintball I used a tank remote (tank strapped to my back) so I couldn't place my marker on the ground or anything when I was BSing in between games. A sling was impractical because I liked to run through brush and the sling would also probably tangle in the remote line. I put a carabiner on my vest and a 6" loop of paracord on my marker. I could also shoot that way if I needed to. Would not work well with long/heavy guns like 870s. 

 

If I were carrying a rifle I would probably just use an African Carry.

Carrying a long gun for self/home defense is not paintball and one has absolutely nothing to do with the other. Experience in one does not equate to to useful techniques in the other - this goes both ways.

 

African Carry? Why?

 

The primary purpose for the slings and sling catch we are talking about would not be conducive to African Carry.

Velcro strap...problem solved

Oddly, they never bother me. It may be from how my shoulders are shaped, but this weekend I've been running around for 8h each day with a slung gun over a backpack straps (and mostly slung in front of me) and not a single time did I feel the sling trying to garrote me, including getting in and out of it quickly, moving inside cars, etc.   I know it bothers some people but it never seems to bother me, with rifle or shotgun. For the record, I use a padded VTAC sling.

Oddly, they never bother me. It may be from how my shoulders are shaped, but this weekend I've been running around for 8h each day with a slung gun over a backpack straps (and mostly slung in front of me) and not a single time did I feel the sling trying to garrote me, including getting in and out of it quickly, moving inside cars, etc.   I know it bothers some people but it never seems to bother me, with rifle or shotgun. For the record, I use a padded VTAC sling.

 

 

same.. never bothered me.. when I first started shooting I used some cheap no name slings that were pretty rough.. but have not had any complaints with my Magpul slings..