LET ME SAY FIRST: THE TRAINING BY THE PFC FOLKS WAS TOP SHELF AND VERY PROFESSIONALLY PRESENTED. EXCELLENT TRAINING AND WORTH EVERY PENNY/ MINUTE SPENT.
I was also in the class this Saturday and have to say that the discussion about the slings by the PFC folks caused A LOT of the students some confusion.
I think there are a couple reasons for that. One is that there is such a marketing and internet forum chatter frenzy about them (things like which are good, what type, etc.) that it's almost become a given that a sling is a mandatory basic item for your platform.
I was in the Army many moons ago and all we had was the standard issue black strap that ran front to back and the primary function of that item was to carry that weapon in an administrative posture. Yes some of us used it to help with shooting but the vast majority did not. Hence the idea that PFC suggests is that the only reason slings exist is because they don't make a holster for a rifle.
All that being said I think that there IS some usefulness for slings in certain environments (as PFC also suggested) but those are limited. The problems surrounding slings in PFC's opinion is that they can create more havoc than they solve. For me (and yes I use my carbine professionally) the vast majority of the time the only use my sling gets is when we are all standing around either getting briefed, or after operations but before I put my weapon back in its carrier or when I'm on a range listening to the instructor.
In other words: while in an admin posture.
I have been carrying and using an M16/ AR platform since 1979 and I can not think of a single time when I thought my sling was a mandatory item for my weapon system while in a combative mode. In fact there has been several times when my sling ended up being a pain in the ass.
So yes, you read correctly; I have a sling on my current weapon. I don't perceive it as mandatory, but we spend a lot of time standing around waiting, briefing, listening, and whatever type admin stuff so the damned thing is VERY helpful.
The other thing that should be considered is that when the PFC guys demonstrated the sling being a point where a bad guy can latch onto you, did you notice they did not show you what to do about it?
I found that to be disturbing. If I show/ demonstrate a student how they can fail I have an obligation to give them a tool to fix it. Their solution was to tell you that the way to fix it was to not have a sling in the first place, well by then its too late because the bad guy already has you. The first thing that came to my mind in that demo was to pull my secondary weapon (handgun) and fix the BG. Of course that assumes I have that handgun and it also assumes that the student is training with that mindset.
There are many many what if's in the world and my only real point is that PFC's position to dismiss slings across the board is nothing more than their opinion. It's an informed opinion but an opinion none the less. Some folks will agree with it some will not and the argument will be nothing more than the whole, 9mm vs .45 thing.
I say if you have a sling, want a sling, like a sling for what ever reason; get it. Train with it. And decide whether that sling solves more of your problems or does it complicate your circumstance.
I for one use a sling prolifically and mine does not hinder my ability to transition to my reaction side or any of the other examples given by the PFC trainers and if a BG ever latches onto me by my sling..... I have an answer for that.
And besides, if I didn't have a sling I would have to lean my rifle against something to hold my coffee cup and my donuts......HA!
GUYS THAT LAST PART IS A JOKE.
Ed Fernley
Pathfinder Operations
Semper Primus!
"I'M THE ONE WHO BARKED AT THUNDER, ROARED AT LIGHTENING, MADE DEATH WONDER."
AND
“Wherever I go, everyone is a little bit safer because I am there.
Wherever I am, anyone in need has a friend.
Whenever I return home, everyone is happy I am there.
It's a better life!”- Robert L. Humphrey “Warriors Creed"
"John has a long mustache."
Bookmarks