The M1907 sling, am I the only one still using it?

[919th]

Ok, yes I’m getting older, set in my ways and eye modern technology with a jaded eye. That being said, am I the last of the breed that still prefers the old M1907 sling? Now I will admit that I have discovered the wonderful biothane versions from Turner Saddlery that are practically maintenance-free but it’s still the old M1907 pattern. I tried the Quick-cuff sling from US Tactical but never could warm up to leaving the detachable loop on my arm and wound up using it as a carry strap, never getting the stability the loop would provide and went back to my old trusty design. Is the 116 year old design of the M1907 still relevant today or is a symbol of days gone by reserved for us old dinosaur?

 

[Rookie]

I'm an old fart too but but I still dig the 1907.

 

[RevRend_0341]

I have a 1907 on several rifles. I also have other slings. The 1907 is probably the only one I actually use as intended.

 

[Longshot231]

 

[Charlie112]

View attachment 8374463View attachment 8374464View attachment 8374465View attachment 8374466View attachment 8374467

Nice Sticks!!!!!️️️️

 

[mike4045]

Still enjoy using one.

 

[Haney]

I have one on my Garand and 03 , they bring a lot of joy . I have many other slings , but they don't have soul like these two do .

 

[Ranchhand]

I have a turner saddlery all weather sling. I don't sling up properly very often though.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

Anyone who goes and shoots Appleseed will end up with a Turner biothane sling if they payed any attention.

I use one and I’m probably young enough to be your grandson.

 

[buffalowinter]

 

[flatland1]

I bought a Springfield Armory 'loaded' M1A in 1986 for shooting our club's 100yd reduced service rifle XTC HP matches; it came with a rather inexpensive 1907 leather sling that I had no clue how to properly rig. Shot that rifle until I'd shot the bbl out in1996, then set it aside and started using a Colt AR15 HBAR, then bought a CLE SR upper with Douglas SS match bbl, and IIRC, a Bushmaster lower that I put a CLE match trigger in.
Bought a good Turner quality leather 1907 from Champions Choice for use with the CLE upper - it was a much better sling than what the M1A came with. After I'd shot the Douglas bbl on the CLE upper out, I bought a new Krieger barreled upper from White Oak Precision, and sent the shot-out upper back to CLE for another Krieger, so I'd always have a fresh bbl on my main match rifle, and could practice with & shoot the oldest bbl in the 100yd matches, while using the freshest bbl'd upper in 200/300/600yd matches.

I'll never forget shooting the leg match at the New Mexico Regional HP matches at Whittington Center in 1997 - the wind was howling so hard that I thought they'd call the match, but nope - we kept right on shooting, even after the wind had broken a target frame. I was struggling to get my old sling rigged during prep time for slow fire prone at 600 when a Gunnery Sergeant who was there shooting with the 29 Palms Marine rifle team saw that I needed some help took pity on me. He was looking my sling over, trying to figure out why it didn't look right, and realized I had it all backwards/inside out, whatever, about as screwed up as it's possible to do. After he'd rigged it correctly and helped me get it adjusted, I laid down with that 1st CLE upper and shot a 186-?x in that wind. That's a lousy score in today's world, but was the best I'd shot at 600 at that time, and I wound up earning my first 6pt leg that day.

After I'd finally legged-out & earned my Distinguished Rifleman Badge, I contacted Leslie Tam in Hawaii, and had him make one of his fabulous 1907 slings out of premium harness leather, with actual old brass 1907 hooks, with copper rivets, and with my DRB # & initials stamped into the leather, along with the year it was made - 2002. Never seen nor heard of a finer leather 1907 sling, and was fortunate enough to meet & visit with Les at the Tulsa Show in 2003.

 

[Longshot231]

This is a long but interesting video. The first part deals with the use of the sling and positional shooting.

 

[RPN]

I use one on my hunting rifle.
Can't beat slinging up seated for shooting over scrub and tussock.
Turner biothane for the win.

 

[S12A]

1907 everything!

 

[S12A]

 

[Longshot231]

I have a turner saddlery all weather sling. I don't sling up properly very often though. View attachment 8374514

Anyone who goes and shoots Appleseed will end up with a Turner biothane sling if they payed any attention.

I use one and I’m probably young enough to be your grandson.

I use one on my hunting rifle.
Can't beat slinging up seated for shooting over scrub and tussock.
Turner biothane for the win.

Turner Saddlery – Home of the Turner Sling

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

1907 sling is my preferred sling. I've shot HP matches in the past and attended Appleseed events and learned how to use them. I have them on several rifles.

I'm probably younger than you, in my 30s.

 

[Aftermath]

I have Turner slings on most of my rifles. I have the leather on the M1, the M1A and M2 22LR for the nostalgic look. I have a black leather on one of the AR's. I have the Biothane version on everything else. I have always considered the sling as more than a carry device and the 1907 serves well as a shooting aid.

I do have a TAB gear biathlon type sling for hiking around with a fairly heavy 300WINMAG. It can also be used as a shooting support.

I have 4 or 5 Vickers type slings and those are good for what I have them for.

I'll soon be 63, so....as @308pirate would say....fuddery

 

[hlee]

The video above notes that “you’ll get clapped in da streets” if you try to use it, but I have them on several rifles.

 

[Phil McGrath]

I am a Les Tam guy, but I also have a Ron Brown that has broken in rather nicely. Here is my Tam and you could probably pull a Duce 1/2 out of the mud with it

 

[taliv]

Proper Use of the 1907 was always esoteric even in its heyday. Some percent of HP shooters get by and a smaller percent are really competent.

I’m very nostalgic about it. But I don’t use one anymore because it’s just not competitive.

Btw, I have several turner incl biothane and the biothane sucks slightly less worse than their leather slings but it’s still horrible compared to a proper leather sling like a Les tam. If you can get through a 20 round string without it slipping AND get into it during prep period, I’d love to see it.

 

[Phil McGrath]

Proper Use of the 1907 was always esoteric even in its heyday. Some percent of HP shooters get by and a smaller percent are really competent.

I’m very nostalgic about it. But I don’t use one anymore because it’s just not competitive.

Btw, I have several turner incl biothane and the biothane sucks slightly less worse than their leather slings but it’s still horrible compared to a proper leather sling like a Les tam. If you can get through a 20 round string without it slipping AND get into it during prep period, I’d love to see it.

I don’t have problems slinging up and it sure doesn’t slip, I can’t stand the biothane stuff but I hear if you clean it with some spray on Pledge and pinch the keeper they work and adjust better…..

Quick question, I know the rules have changed some but other than the cotton M1 sling or the 1907 what other sling is legal for Service Rifle?

 

[pmclaine]

I am a Les Tam guy, but I also have a Ron Brown that has broken in rather nicely. Here is my Tam and you could probably pull a Duce 1/2 out of the mud with itView attachment 8390499

I called Les Tam to get one of his slings. He spent about an hour talking about everything under the sun with me.

As to my request he apologized and gave me advice to buy a Ron Brown.

He and Ron met by chance in Hawaii and Les apprenticed Ron in his way of making slings.

Ron may use more GI looking (but beefier) hardware than Les’ signature super heavy duty frogs with copper rivets and rings but the leathers are both pretty beefy.

Calling Ron or Mrs Brown also results in some good extended conversation.

The three are top tier in the nice people department.

 

[ocabj]

I stopped using 1907 slings after I stopped shooting Service Rifle.

I used Turner slings and last used a Ron Brown. My reasoning for using Turner is because they were relatively inexpensive and easy to get (pretty much off the shelf item) and I would just replace them every couple of years after they stretched out to the point of breaking.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

My first 2 Service Rifle slings were leather, one on a .308 Garand the next on a NMA2 from Rock River. I have Turner All Weather on most of my rifles now. Except the Garand, it has leather again. I bought a brown synthetic but wood demands leather.

I haven't heard of Pledge on them, I put a little baby powder on the sorbothane to help them release easier.