What is the best type of sling for the home defense tactical rifle?

[SCinPNW]

Robert, thanks for the advice, I appreciate it! I will definitely make sure I am not "that guy" or in my case, "that gal" in the class. ;-) Both you and Spock are right, I need to really get to know how my AR functions and be comfortable with it prior to the class. I know that when I went out with my father-in-law to shoot it I was surprised at how different shooting the rifle was from shooting a handgun. It is a completely different skill set. And yes, I believe in training. Neither my husband or I have ever been in the military and from the beginning of our endeavor into being gun owners I have been adament that we have good quality training.

Rmpl, thanks for the advice on keeping a bottle of oil in my pocket for the AR so that I can keep it oiled up. One of the things I need to also do prior to my class is to have someone show me how to take the AR apart and clean it. I checked out that Vicker's sling, that looks like a good sling as well. I will definitely keep it on my list as one to try if I decide the two that I have are just not going to cut it (the Mamba and the 2-point that came with the gun).

Spock, thanks for the recommendations on the hardware. I will start looking into how much the spare parts are going to cost and get them into the budget, as well as, check out the magpul BAD lever. Does that work for left-handed shooters?

I have heard of the Appleseed shoots, in fact, a friend of mine went to one. I will have to give her a call and ask about it.

Thanks again everyone for the advice and recommendations. I will definitely update you all as I progress along this journey and after my class.

SC

[Spock]

good video on AR cleaning except I perfer to use BREAKFREE CLP or MPC/Shooter choice FP10.

infact since yer a woman buy the FP-10. it smells like cinamian. years ago i was cleaning my dads ar out in the work shop with it and my mom walks out, sniffs the air and says "oh wow whats that? it smells wonderfull!" me "its gun cleaning solvent" mom "WHAT!?!?!?!!?!?"

she was used to the stink of hoppes #9 or outer foul out solvents.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/fp10.htm

told ya.....can of worms!

[SCinPNW]

Thanks for the video, that is just what I needed. I will watch it again this week and try taking the AR apart and see how it goes in taking it apart. How often is it recommend to clean the AR?

I will also order some of the FP10 solvent, I like the smell of cinnamon. :-)

[RunAndGun]

Regarding how often is it recommended to clean the AR: According to the manual, every time you finish a shooting session.

Personally, I clean my AR's every 500 to 1000 rnds if it needs it or not. Or, before a competition or training class. That is the break it down to its parts and deep clean it kinda cleaning.

I do however oil it and run a cleaning rod down the bore after every firing session. If it gets dry during an extended range session, I will oil it as needed. You will get in tune with your rifle after you get some experience with it and know when it is getting time to clean it.

As for NOT having a sling on a home defense rifle: I cant think of any good reason to NOT have a sling on your rifle but plenty of reasons FOR having one such as holding or opening doors that may require two hands, grabbing or holding kids while you un butt the AO, pulling the dog or the husband off of the severely wounded perp, I could go on.

Walk around your house and try to do normal things like get a cup of coffee with your rifle in your hands. Then try the same thing with a sling.

[hua man]

If your AR has a front sight post, might I recommend a "top sling adapter". It's just a small kit available to the military to put the sling on top. Ask any friends in the Military to ask their Armorer for one. Uses the standard sling for M16's, so no extra money will be spent if you do not like that config.

[SCinPNW]

RunandGun, thanks for the advice on how often to clean and such--it helps a lot. Also, I like your idea of trying to do things around the house with and without a sling to see what works, that makes great sense.

Huaman, thanks for the suggestion on the "top sling adapter", I will look into that. I have one nephew left in the military, he is currently in Afganistan.

I think I need to print this thread out so that I have all of the info saved.