Sling Decision: SAP vs FTW Sling

[swhiteh3]

There has been a lot of discussion about the SAP Sling and the FTW sling. While they both look very good, I'm having trouble deciding between the two. I've been using a Vickers VCAS sling, which happens to have a loop that sort-of works for sling shooting, but is not designed for that, so it's effectively just a carry sling, unless you’re willing to dedicate a lot of stage time to setting it up, in which case it can be marginally used as a shooting sling. FAR from idea.

I think anyone shopping for a sling has watched these:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzjYQgFWcnc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LybQKzL_Hzk

Both the SAP Sling and the FTW sling seem to have been very well thought-out by some very capable shooters, which is great. But I want to decide between the two. I've eliminated most of the other options, so here is my list of differences, as I see it....

* Elastic Bungee. I really like the bungee on the FTW sling. I'm sure it makes the gun easier and more comfortable to carry, but I'd imagine a carry pad over the SAP sling would be about the same thing. What I like the elastic for is for keeping the rear leg of the sling (rearward of the arm cuff) from getting restrictive when using the arm cuff in positional shooting. It also gives you a lot of “play” when using the sling for a semi-supported (non-cuffed) shot. Definitely a plus for the FTW.

* Hardware. It seems like both use very nice hardware. The “front” end of the cuff on the SAP seems to rely on the plastic buckle for tightening, but I’m not 100% sure I’m seeing this right. Maybe a slight edge here to the FTW, for using the same style metal tensioner in both adjusting positions.

* Clip-out. Both slings use a buckle, but they seem to have a very different philosophy about the use of this buckle. The SAP sling puts the buckle as part of the cuff, giving you a very quick and easy escape from the cuff during a stage without releasing the sling functionality. This is perfect if you need to start the stage slung up, but need to release it for movement or subsequent shooting. The FTW buckle is very different. Being behind the cuff, it allows you to release the sling into two pieces, running the cuff and forward mount with a full “sling” (ie attachment point in the rear). I think the SAP functionality here is more useful, and probably the biggest different between the slings. Big win SAP.

* Sling “Tail”. The FTW cuff, as it’s tightened, creates a tail, which hangs in front of the shooter. I could see this being a PITA. The SAP sling puts excess cuff length into the front length of the sling. I could see this also being a PITA, since tightening the cuff would loosen the front leg of the sling, meaning you always need to pull both adjustments. With the FTW sling, if you had the front length properly set, you could pull the cuff tight and get to shooting without touching the front adjuster. Kind of a toss-up here.

* Patch. The SAP has a nice patch on the cuff, which, while it may seem insignificant, gives a very easy reference point to make sure you sling up the right way. Anyone who has had to sling up on the clock can appreciate this. (In fact, in the R3 review, he slings it up backwards, and deals with a twist in the sling while he’s demonstrating the cuffed function of the sling.) Of course, I could certainly find a patch, even a piece of bright colored tape, to replicate it’s functionality on the FTW sling. Very slight win for the SAP.

What do you guys think of these points? Has anyone used both who can comment on some of these differences?

Thanks.

Scott Whitehead

 

[Dirtracer151]

* Sling “Tail”. The SAP sling puts excess cuff length into the front length of the sling. I could see this also being a PITA, since tightening the cuff would loosen the front leg of the sling, meaning you always need to pull both adjustments.

Scott, your assessments of both slings sound pretty close to spot on and it's going to just be up to your likes and demands as a shooter to pick what works best for you.
As far as the SAP sling putting excess length into the front end of the sling, this is not true. It does not change the front length adjustment as you tighten the cuff down and there would be no need to make an adjustment after tightening the cuff.

I personally choose the SAP sling as i think its a more well rounded sling that enables you to get out of it in a hurry.
I do think the FTW sling is probably more effective if you shoot outside the cuff though due to the elastic portion although I rarely ever shoot from outside the cuff anyway.

Hope this helps!

 

[swhiteh3]

As far as the SAP sling putting excess length into the front end of the sling, this is not true. It does not change the front length adjustment as you tighten the cuff down and there would be no need to make an adjustment after tightening the cuff.

I see what you're saying. I was thinking the "front length" as being from the front QD to the cuff tightening buckle, and as the R3 video shows at 1:20, it gets longer (the buckle moves farther from the QD) as you tighten it. But from watching it, it doesn't really change the distance from the center of the cuff to the QD - the buckle just moves backwards, so I see what you're saying.

I personally choose the SAP sling as i think its a more well rounded sling that enables you to get out of it in a hurry.
I do think the FTW sling is probably more effective if you shoot outside the cuff though due to the elastic portion although I rarely ever shoot from outside the cuff anyway.

Hope this helps!

It does. I'm glad to get some input from people who have seen both in person. I have seen neither, and just HATE buying a piece of gear and regretting the decision! My budget is too tight for that! Thanks.

When will SAP ship an SAP sling with a bungee in it?

-Scott


Scott

 

[swhiteh3]

Scott, your assessments of both slings sound pretty close to spot on!

Have you been happy with the SAP's ability to get the cuff tight while in position, and for it to stay tight? I keep looking at that plastic buckle and thinking it might wiggle it's way loose....

 

[Dirtracer151]

Have you been happy with the SAP's ability to get the cuff tight while in position, and for it to stay tight? I keep looking at that plastic buckle and thinking it might wiggle it's way loose....

It literally gets as tight as you want. I'm pretty sure I could cut off circulation to my arm if I really wanted to. I've had no problems with it wiggling loose as I have with other slings on the market.

 

[swhiteh3]

It literally gets as tight as you want. I'm pretty sure I could cut off circulation to my arm if I really wanted to. I've had no problems with it wiggling loose as I have with other slings on the market.

Excellent. Thank you!

 

[Short Action Precision]

Scott great write up! Our cuff stays tight. The buckle part does not really have any part to do with the cuff staying tight and trust me when I say it stays in position. Its like a noose when its cinched down. As far as the bungee part goes I don't see us putting it into our sling anytime soon sorry. We feel like our cuff design is a little easier to get in and out of quick and that is why we designed it the way it is. We offer a lifetime warranty on our slings. If you are looking for one there are a few Snipers Hide Sponsored vendors on here that carry them and Rifles Only being one of them! Victor Company also carries them. We are coming out with our own video soon to really show the benefits of our sling and how to properly use it as well. If you have any questions just send us a PM.

 

[grandslam]

I have both of the slings and think that overall the SAP is easier to use and works really well for PRS type tactical matches.

I have never had a problem with my cuff not staying tight enough. While the bungee on the FTW sling is nice for carrying a rifle, I guess I just dont carry my rifle far enough for it to be that big of a difference for me. Most matches you only carry your rifle from stage to stage and it isnt that far. I think the SAP cuff is actually easier to tighten on your arm and has a buckle that makes it much faster to get out of. I would say that my biggest complaint with the FTW would be that getting out of the arm cuff is a hassle to since it doesnt have a quick release buckle. Im also not a fan of the plastic cobra buckle.....I know its strong and rated really well, but I just dont care for plastic hardware when it comes to holding my rifle.

Like others have said it really comes down to personal preference and for me I think the SAP is just a better overall fit for what I do.

 

[UNRL Ghandi]

I don't have the SAP sling, so my comments are only in regards to what I've noticed in using the FTW sling.

I picked up the FTW sling a couple weeks back and really like it. I initially bought it for carrying my rifle across my chest during deer hunts this Fall using the flush cups on the left side of the stock, but I have since sold that rifle and put the sling on a rifle that has swivel studs on the bottom. Can't carry it across the chest that way (comfortably anyway) because the sling attachments flip the rifle upside down (scope toward the ground), so the use of the bungee becomes OBE since I have to carry it over my back or shoulder now. It's still a nice sling and one I'll keep, but it does lose some functionality for me with the sling attachments on the bottom of the rifle. So if you're using the bungee as a discriminator, check where your sling attachments are. The bungee was very nice and effective on the rifle with the flush cups on the side though. Really, really liked it.

The FTW is the most comfortable sling that I've used while walking with the rifle slung against my back (strap across my chest, not over my shoulder) because it allows you to cinch it down nice and tight so there is hardly any slack in the sling to allow the rifle to swing/bounce around. I feel like I could sprint with the rifle on my back no problem. The cuff is easy to adjust for tightness (and it stays where you put it), but I have a hard time letting the slack out. I like the SAP idea of a pull for both tightening and loosening. I'll probably pick up the SAP sometime and compare the two. The one I like best I'll keep and the other I'll give to my brother for Christmas.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

It sounds like the OP would be better off with the FTW Carbine sling in this case. The cuff function is really quick and easy to get into/out of and use.

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1hNsLXZSPPc[/video]