5min DIY Adjustable Sling for $6.54 Each (poor Mans BFG Vickers)

Quick-adjust rifle slings are really useful for folks who may be using a rifle slung while walking/preforming other tasks, or those wearing their rifle with or without armor/winter clothing/hydration packs, etc.

On my duty rifle I use a Blue Force Gear Vickers sling which I really like. Unfortunately, for $50 a pop, I cant justify buying one for every rifle I own. I had the idea to order some parts and essentially copy the design on my own. I made a quick tutorial in case anyone else wanted to do it. I have included links to Amazon for the parts.

You can make it with 1" or 1.5" webbing (BFG is 1.25", I like 1"). I recommend using the strap webbing I linked because its a specific weave made for this type of application. Making 4 1" slings cost $26.15 total with parts left over. Making 4 1.5" cost $38.28. I chose to use all metal hardware for durability and smooth operation. It is aluminum so the hardware weighs next to nothing. You can find all the hardware in plastic if you wanted as well.

1" version:

• 1" strap: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KTVG0KI/ref=...
• 1" ladder slide: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KTVG0KI/ref=...
• 1" tri-glides (purchase x2 to make 4 slings total): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KTVG0KI/ref=...

Alternative 1.5" version:

• 1.5" strap: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KTVBWKQ/ref=...
• 1.5" ladder slide: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KTVBWKQ/ref=...
• 1.5" tri-glides (purchase x2 to make 4 slings total): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KTVBWKQ/ref=...
  

Cut the "front" section of the sling to 37 inches.

Cut another 44 inch piece to be the "back" part.

If you've never used tri-glides before just follow the pictures. Loop the left end of the front (shorter) strap piece through the tri-glide and then send it back through. If you are using a sling swivel or paracord loop to attach the sling that would go into the end loop you just created here. I find its easier to make the sling first, and then go back and attach it to the rifle at the end when its finished.

(If you want a non-adjustable strap, just do this on both ends of a 6 foot length of strap and you're done)

This is the only "complicated" part but if you look at the pictures its really straightforward.

1. Feed the right end of the front piece up through the first slot on the ladder slide.
2. Then take it around and bring it down through only one half of a tri-glide as shown.
3. Next bring it up and down through another tri-glide.
4. bring the end up and then down through the second and third slots in the ladder slide.
5. Put the end back through the tri-glide on top of the layer already looped through.

You want that tri-glide and the ladder slide to be as close as possible without touching each other.

Take the left end of the rear (longer) section and put it through a tri-glide (like you did in Step 2), hooking on to the other half of that free tri-glide from Step 3.

Take the right end of the rear piece and make a loop end, again like you did in Step 2 (except on the other end). You should have a finished sling that looks something like the second to last picture.

Normally the rear loop will go around the stock or through the rear sling swivel. This is also where the hard adjustment can be made on the length of the sling. You may choose to add a 6th tri-glide (as shown in the last picture) to keep the rear loop cinched up tight to the stock while the original sits father up the sling keeping the slack neat. Keep in mind you will need to order extras if you want to do this.

A sling is normally worn from the back of the rifle, over the shooter's strong shoulder, across the back, and under the shooters support arm to the front attachment point.

To loosen the sling pull back on the ladder slide to the desired length.

To tighten the sling pull the adjustment loop forward with your thumb.

To stow the sling like a cool-guy when not worn, slack it all the way, hooking the end of the loop on the grip of the weapon, and tighten by pulling the ladder slide toward the front.

I'm quite pleased with how these turned out and I was pleasantly surprised that they are much less bulky than the Vickers sling.

I hope this helps someone get slings on all their long guns for short money. Enjoy!