How should we sling a M4/M16?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 21:07:51 -0400

I have seen and heard so many different ways to sling a M4/M16. If having the issued slings I was told have the rifle pointing up. Wait no have it pointing down. Then if having the three point sling I saw rifle slung on back. I saw rifle hanging in the front.

I never saw it in regulations. What do you think it should be?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 9:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 21:28:27 -0400

No slings. They should be carried at the low ready.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 27 at 2014 9:31 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 21:31:53 -0400

I think you need to clarify the setting. Is it a foot march? A tactical patrol? Walking around a FOB? All would have a different method in my opinion.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 9:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 21:45:11 -0400

What I was instructed to do in basic last August was: slung over the left shoulder, on your back, barrel pointed downward. I've obviously never been deployed, but this seems impractical to me for anything other than garrison... Thoughts?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 10:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 22:56:28 -0400

At the low ready with the slung up front. Having it on the back is too impractical and uncomfortable.

Response by PO2 Edward Shelton made Jul 27 at 2014 11:24 PM

PO2 Edward Shelton — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:24:28 -0400

Slung, hanging on the front is how I've always had my M4 on me when deployed to the Middle East.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Jul 27 at 2014 11:56 PM

Cpl Ray Fernandez — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:56:43 -0400

Depends on the situation and the conditions you're operating in. Should be slung with an emphasis on having the best natural point of aim and reaction time to respond to any perceived threat.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2014 12:49 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 12:49:41 -0400

This is quite indicative of the times we are heading into. In the 8 years since I entered active duty, the answer tended to be whatever was safe and allowed you to be best prepared to react to or mitigate the most likely threat.

Take leader initiative and do what makes sense. That is why we get paid the "big bucks." That is until the CSM decides it is muzzle down, magazine in, no round chambered, and wrapped in two reflective belts, selector switch on burst. Then go with that. (Humor/no disrespect intended to CSMs anywhere)

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2014 3:40 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:40:56 -0400

currently deployed in Afghanistan, I think it should depend on the time and place and situation. Here it should always be slung at the low ready if not attached to your IOTV, back in the states I would sometimes slung on my back still pointed down.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Jul 28 at 2014 3:58 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:58:50 -0400

Low ready at all times on deployment.

In Garrison? Whatever the heck 1SG/SGM wants. It's easier that way....

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 28 at 2014 7:31 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 19:31:40 -0400

This depends so heavily on the situation you're in. For example, there were times on patrol that I slung it across my chest, over the top of the rest of my kit. There were other times where I used a dragon sling and had the weapon hanging off my firing side. People on here probably have countless other examples of how they approached it. My unit didn't really regulate how you did it.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jul 28 at 2014 8:12 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:12:12 -0400

I always slung my down across my back unless I had my alice pack on. if I had my alice pack on then I slung it across my front still pointing down. but you may not be able to that depending on the load you are carrying and may have to sling it to the side but should be pointing down.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2014 9:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 21:55:08 -0400

If admin, pointing up, unless raining, then pointed down. If tactical, Whatever soldier has trained with and is comfortable with, but mission and safety should be the first considerations. Tactical slings should be easily removable or replicate functions of issued sling. One caveat, when in rocky terrain or on concrete, rifle should not be pointed towards rocks when slung and loaded.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2014 11:12 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:12:05 -0400

How about always locked n loaded, always at the ready. Never know when the zombie or Hamas pops out

Response by SGT Alicia Brenneis made Jul 28 at 2014 11:23 PM

SGT Alicia Brenneis — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:23:35 -0400

As a medic, if on patrol , I kept mine in the front muzzle up . made it easier to drop my aid bag and swing my weapon to my back, muzzle down. This also prevented me from setting my weapon on the ground while treating a patient. On a regular day to day it was on my back muzzle down pointed to the left. Because I am left eye dominate, I shoot left handed. If I needed to swing it to the front, it would already be positioned properly. I use to catch a ton of grief for having my weapon slung with the muzzle to the left.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 12:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 00:07:13 -0400

When I have my gear on I prefer to use a wolf hook. That way there's no sling to get caught up on anything.

Otherwise, I like the 1 point sling.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Jul 29 at 2014 10:52 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 10:52:08 -0400

At the ready is ideal in combat, in D&C, when ordered, slung, pointed up. That's the way I learned, anyway...

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 8:21 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 20:21:05 -0400

I was always under the impression that the rifle should be slung in front, muzzle pointed down so that if something were to happen, it would be easy to grab the weapon and bring it into action, and if the rifle were to go off, the round would go into the ground in front of you as opposed to somewhere far off in the distance. Granted, it's situation dependent, but that's just always been my default. I don't know the official rules on it.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 29 at 2014 9:57 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 21:57:41 -0400

However I could do the least amount of damage to myself or the soldier behind me.

Response by SSG Saun Lehar made Jul 30 at 2014 7:09 PM

SSG Saun Lehar — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:09:24 -0400

If a round gets negligently discharged irt goes in the ground, not in the are

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 8:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:01:41 -0400

I have a wolf clip when I'm in full kit. But if I'm waking with my weapon. I use a 2 point sling with it across my chest muzzle down

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Jul 30 at 2014 9:22 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:22:56 -0400

Note: None of that was allowed when I was in. It was always present, order, port, right/left shoulder, or slung arms (on back, pointing up). Nothing else. Sling had a half-twist in it.

Response by Maj Ahron Oddman made Jul 31 at 2014 5:48 PM

Maj Ahron Oddman — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 17:48:33 -0400

This question gets even more complex when boarding vehicles, especially aircraft. In helicopters, the aircrew generally want weapons pointed down (away from the rotors and other mechanical gear.

Response by CPT Chase Sanger made Jul 31 at 2014 9:16 PM

CPT Chase Sanger — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 21:16:07 -0400

Probably depends on what you are doing with the slung weapon. For parades and D&C, standard sling with the barrel pointed up. A range or tactical training, 3-point with the weapon in front and muzzle down. My 2 cents.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 11:30 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:30:16 -0400

VTAC 2-point sling...end of thread

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Aug 1 at 2014 4:29 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 16:29:38 -0400

When using the sling. It should be slung on the shoulder with the barrel pointing up. This to allow you to get it in your hand and up into foreign position and if your really good. You can hit the selector to semi without looking. And if your really excellent you can also charge it before hitting the selector to semi.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 7:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:07:11 -0400

How about a 3 point sling, outside of ceremonial duties, of course, pointed down and at the ready?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 12:27 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 00:27:01 -0400

This is the way I like to carry my weapon all the time:
1. Muzzle down
2. In front, because better control
3. Finally better SA of the weapon

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2014 2:07 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 02:07:54 -0400

it is pointed up during road march for safety, unless raining then down, anyway you carry it you must maintain positive control which is why I hate the new front slings because they let go of the weapon like it was not there. and the new reg in navy for qual is no sling which sucks because I use the sling.

Response by SGT William Howell made Aug 4 at 2014 2:07 PM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 14:07:25 -0400

Not talking as a Admin FOBit. As a soldier looking to get his troops home, and a SWAT officer in the civilian world. Barrel ALWAYS goes down. You can live without a toe, your chances of surviving a sucking head wound are much less.

It should always be slung so that it falls to the front. A soldiers office space is from the thigh to chest. Everything you need to survive a firefight needs to be in that space.

Response by Sgt Andrew Pouliot made Aug 5 at 2014 11:47 PM

Sgt Andrew Pouliot — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 23:47:43 -0400

In basic training, we were taught to always wear the rifle on our fronts pointing down. Typically when carrying a weapon at port arms, it will be pointing up; sling side arms is muzzle up, unless it is raining. You will only ever wear your weapon on your back if you are part of a working party or are otherwise occupied and cannot have the weapon on your front. In this case, it will be muzzle up, unless it is inclement weather (such as rain), in which case it will be muzzle down. Other than port arms, when your weapon is worn with a one, two or three point sling on your front, it should be pointing muzzle down with at least one hand on the weapon at all times (positive control of your weapon).

Response by CPT Joe Cox made Aug 7 at 2014 7:14 AM

CPT Joe Cox — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 07:14:05 -0400

It kinda depends on where you are and what you are doing, wouldn't ya say? I think absent an SOP, what ever is safe and effective.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 2:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:08:04 -0400

Come on soldiers - weapons safety? Always piont your weapon into the ground in case of neglegent discharge...

Response by Cpl Matthew Wall made Aug 13 at 2014 3:07 PM

Cpl Matthew Wall — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:07:21 -0400

I think it is a personal preference. I have a 3 point sling that I used to carry up front in the ready as well as a 1 point sling that was connected to my shoulder so that it would just hang there. However, it was still in front of me and pointing towards the ground.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 12:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:03:36 -0400

1 or 2 point sling in front. Keep it simple and train putting it to work. Soldiers need to train keeping a sling on their weapon and body. If a Soldier gets jumped, it is practically impossible to shoot said Soldier if his rifle is still attached.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 2:38 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:38:47 -0400

During my time in, I have seen a wide variety (in multiple branches) of differences in carry methods. It seemed to change during different decades as prior combat veterans came and went. The best idea for all commands to follow is: to take the lessons learned (by our brothers and sisters in arms) from previous combat experiences. Look into the type of situations that were involved and utilize these as training scenarios for new and non-combat experienced personnel. Certain situations dictate different carry methods, but unless you train in the different types of scenarios – it won’t really matter how you carry it – you won’t be properly prepared to react at a blink of an eye to situations that might be the difference between life and death for you and/or your comrades in arms. Now that the combat environment is downsizing and garrison duty is becoming the name of the game again – commands should be utilizing all the hard won knowledge from recent combat situations and be funneling that knowledge into all aspects of training. If our new personnel are ‘training to operate like they would in a combat environment’ then we would have a better start right off the bat in any next conflict or situation that they are called upon to handle at any given moment. What you put into your training is what you will get out of it in a combat situation - also, no matter how you carry – if you are complacent in your situational awareness be it here stateside or across the pond – it won’t matter. Complacency kills in any locale and it doesn’t differentiate by gender or rank.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 12:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:04:50 -0500

Granted for ceremonial purposes it should all be uniform. However, outside of that, I believe shooter preference should be the standard. LTC Private RallyPoint Member If you dig into FM 3-21.5 and look at the Appendixes, it gives photo examples of the weapons at various positions, including sling arms.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 12:41 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:41:48 -0500

During both my deployments, I used a "Mamba" 3-point sling for my M-16 or M-4. When not wearing body armor, the sling kept my weapon at about the height the low-ready would be executed. When wearing body armor, I would use a carabiner attached to the right shoulder of my IOTV to clip the butt of my rifle to my body armor. That made the rifle hang at the height where the high-ready would be executed. Both were comfortable for me and kept my hands free to do other things, but always had my weapon one motion away from a ready position.

Response by SFC Dave Joslin made Nov 4 at 2014 10:07 AM

SFC Dave Joslin — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:07:28 -0500

This should be variable- so that the individual warfighter can safely and rapidly employ their weapon while maintaining positive control of it. Not every shooter is comfortable with the same techniques and there are various roles on the battlefield..individual shooters functionality has to be taken into consideration. If they are comfortable (within reason) they can fight better and limit distraction.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 6 at 2018 2:35 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 06 May 2018 14:35:31 -0400

In Parades, the way they told me, in the field/deployments- any blasted way I wanted to t, in order to be able to react quick as possible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2018 5:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 May 2018 05:13:31 -0400

Follow your SOP. End of story.

Response by SGT Kenneth Partyka made Dec 7 at 2019 12:24 PM

SGT Kenneth Partyka — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:24:18 -0500

I'm going to ask this question in all seriousness. With the current configurations of one-point and two point slings, you have the rifle slung around you neck. That makes hand-to-hand a little difficult when you have to get the weapon off your head. Sure, I'm old-school as we all trained with a shoulder sling 30 years ago but this is a serious question.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2021 3:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 03:25:53 -0400

Regulation does not standardize it because it is subjective to the loadout SOP of the unit/mission they are assigned. A medic is going to be carrying different load outs than a mortar team, a machine gun team, a sniper team, etc. Those load outs may dictate the best way to sling the weapons.

Additionally, the training they have undergone for the mission set (rural vs. mout, mounted vs. dismounted, combat arms vs. combat service and support) may dictate different requirements and SOPs.

Beyond that, not every unit has the same budget to equip their Soldiers with the identical slings.

Just don’t try and standardize this. It is way too much work for an outcome that hurts more than helps.