If the slider doesn't work well and has a loop, it's the Gen 1. We switched everything to the new slider in the spring of this past year.
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The slider on the MS1 works very well. It's super easy to adjust, and never moves when you don't want it to.
The only time I dislike it is when I stick my arm through the closed loop to sling up for unsupported shooting, kind of like an NRA high power sling. The size of the slider can sometimes interfere with how the sling lays across/around my arm.
Otherwise, works great.
Unfortunately, the slings are constructed differently than the previous generation, so the sliders don't retrofit.
However, if you have an MS4, you can cut out the QD on the front end and the "pigtail" on the back end, and put them on an MS1 ($34.95 MSRP, less on most retailer's sites) to end up with a GEN2 MS4. Just take a look at the website for a pic of the MS1 MS4 adapter, and it should be clear how to make it work. You'll have the exact same thing as if you bought a new MS4 ($59.95 MSRP).
You could also build a padded version of the MS4 by getting an MS1 padded and using your MS4 hardware in the same way.
may have to try this one out
Any plans to offer a padded MS4, so you don't have to 'build' your own?
Once we get production rolling, we may indeed do that, but it may take a bit.
I've owned and used all three variations of Magpul's slings. I ended up dumping the MS2 (original) due to my dislike for the sling material, width and the attachment hardware, then picked up a free Gen1 and then ended up with a Gen2.
I think they finally nailed it with the Gen2 slings, the material and hardware are vastly superior to the original design, and the polymer slide adjustment is much more user friendly than the Gen1 loop adjustment.
There is a padded coyote MS1 in my future. :cool:
Looking forward to it!