The National Match Sling
By Frank Krupa
The sling used in Service Rifle Competition is the Model 1907 pattern. It is known as the National Match Sling. This article is written to explain how the National Match sling is used in service rifle competition. It has a number of holes that allow a wide range of quick adjustment via claws that insert in the holes. This sling differs from the standard 1907 pattern in that the holes are usually numbered and the sling is two to four inches longer. It is available in leather and in synthetic material, which is a PVC coated polyester. Both materials will have a different "feel" to them. While this is a personal choice, the synthetic slings, such as the Biothan made by Turner, will last longer and are less prone to stretch. The rubber-like material of synthetic slings also keeps the sling cuff from moving on the arm.
The National Match slings holes are numbered for reference. This is because the competitor will use different sling settings (hole numbers) for different stages (positions) of the match. The holes allow for adjusting the tightness of the sling. The lower the number, the tighter the sling. The correct sling for the Garand or M1-A is the 52" length and for the AR-15, the 54" length. The 54" will work on all three rifles and is a better choice if you have long or very large arms.
Money is not saved by buying a cheap sling as they do not last long or work well. Many cheap slings are substandard in length and hole positioning. They are also thinner, stretch too much, and the holes tear out fast. Cheap slings also have cheap keepers that will break and fall apart as well as brass claws that will bend. Choose a sling that has steel claws instead of brass as the steel will not bend. I recommend Richard Turner’s slings available in leather and synthetic as the best available for both economy and quality.
It is important to understand how the sling works and the proper configuration of the sling. Service rifle National Match slings usually do not come configured properly as packaged. The configuration will be covered in the pictures which accompany this article. It should be noted that a variation of attaching the sling to the rifle called the Marine style who's origin speaks for itself, is that the sling is attached upside down with the keepers toward the rifle. With this variation, it is believed that the slings keepers stay tighter and are less likely to slip. This variation works well. Start out by configuring your sling as shown in the picture below. This is the "parade" position. In the parade position, the sling is drawn up tight against the rifle when attached. The picture also shows the two keepers that will form the cuff. You slide the two keepers forward to form the cuff so it can be tightened over your arm.
When used properly, the NM sling will support the weight of the rifle and take tension and strain off the non- shooting arm, as well as allow the muscles in the arm to relax. This will result in a very steady platform from which to shoot. It is important that the sling be tensioned or tight. A tight sling will support the rifle, so when the rifle rises in recoil after a shot is fired, the sling will return the rifle to the exact position it was in just before the shot was fired. Muscle strain and tension is a rifleman’s worst enemy. The sling is a rifleman’s best ally. With a properly tensioned sling, the competitor can engage in rapid fire with a rhythm and place shots fast and accurately on target.
How to use the sling:
A loop known as the "cuff" is formed on the sling and is locked in place with one of the claws and both of the keepers. The cuff is placed over the arm, above the bicep and both keepers slide over the claw, locking it and cinching the sling cuff tight to the arm. The sling should be tight but not so tight that it causes a pulse or throbbing due to the brachial nerve being pinched and the blood being cut off to the arm. This also leads to your pulse being transmitted to the rifle as movement. The holes in the sling are numbered starting from forward and working back. In general the sitting rapid will be your tightest sling position.
The prone rapid position needs a looser sling to allow the prone position. In the prone slow fire position, the sling is worn looser because slow fire rounds are fired single load and the competitor does not have to deal with recoil and a fast subsequent shot. Also, the competitor will have to take the rifle out of the shoulder at least 20 times to load another cartridge and adjust his sights if necessary. While a looser sling is desired here, it still has to be tight enough to steady and support the rifle. In the rapid fire positions, a correctly tensioned (tight) sling will tame the recoil and return the rifle to its point of aim after each shot.
The preceding sling settings are an example as to what a new competitor may start out with. If you have very long or large arms, you will have to use the higher numbered holes on the sling to lengthen it. As you gain competence and skill, you will probably use lower numbered holes with tighter sling settings.
Offhand Slow Fire = Parade position. Service rifle rules dictate the sling cannot be used in the offhand position but it must be attached to the rifle. The sling is attached to the rifle in the "parade" position. The sling is tight against the rifle. The competitor may or may not grasp the sling while holding the rifle. The sling may not be used in any way to support or steady the rifle in this position.
Sitting Rapid = holes #4
Prone Rapid = holes #5
Prone Slow fire = holes #6
About the time the M1 Garand service rifle was introduced, the 1907 pattern sling was replaced with the USGI M1 web sling. This new sling, while constructed of cotton and different from the 1907 pattern, is still used with a loop or cuff on the arm the same way. Instead of claws and holes, it has a sliding steel buckle and is much easier to use. The M1 sling is also legal and sometimes used in service rifle competition. While much simpler to use, it does not offer the same level of support or repeatable fine adjustment. There is one accomplished competitor who uses the M1 sling with great success and advocates its use in rifle competition, but he seems to be the sole example. The M1 web sling does have the advantage of being very economical and easy to procure. A beginner may choose to use this sling when starting out, but there is no doubt he will want to go to the NM sling when he decides to get serious. The M1 web sling can be found at gun shows, flea markets and military surplus dealers.
Rule 6.1.1[3] SLINGS
Must be standard U.S. military issue M1907 leather,
or M1 web slings or identical slings of commercial manufacture made of leather,
web or synthetic material. Military issue or commercial M1907 or m1 slings
must conform to the original pattern with no additional modifications or
additional hooks, claws, clips, or clamps. Leather or web slings may be no
wider than 1 3/8” and no thicker than 3/16”. Leather or web slings may have no
more than [2] to keepers no wider than 7/8” each and made of leather no thicker
than 3/16”. Stitching, brads, rivets, or staples may be used to join keeper
ends. The overlap at the joining area may be no more than 1 1/8” and must be on
the flat, i.e. may no go around the curved edge of the keeper.
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