I posted earlier that I have a Blaser BBF 97 ordered, and I am trying to find out what the "appropriate" sling would be for that kind of gun. Since it is a European gun, I would like to stay with that "theme".

I appreciate any suggestions.

if its a wood stocked gun, a simple leather sling would be appropiate.

+2,

I agree with Steffen.

Jeff, will your gun be delivered with European swivels?? (That is the only way I have ever seen a Blaser BBF delivered, but then again I have only seen these guns in Europe...). If yes, be aware:

1) the swivels will be set up for slings narrower than the 1" common in the US. Around 2-2.2cm (~.8") is quite common in Europe. Furthermore, the swivels will not be QD. You can change your swivels to use US studs and QD swivels (e.g. Uncle Mike - or whatever), although practical, that would be a deviation from the "European theme"...

2) A sling in Central Europe is normally used solely as a carrying tool - shooting with sling support is rare. Front swivels are often located on barrels, making sling support impractical. Furthermore, guns are often carried under the shoulder, muzzle forward and up. All in all, that means many Central European slings are considerably longer than US slings.

I personally like a sling which does not get in the way when I don't need it. In addition, for the swivel position of your BBF, it will actually be possible to shoot with sling support, so it would be nice to have both features. As a consequence, this is a simple, variable length sling I like for European rifles:



It is simplicity itself to pull tight or loose, and in spite of its length can be used for "hasty" sling support (hold both sling "parts" with front hand at the appropriate length).

Something like this is very common in Central Europe, here is just one place to obtain such a device:

http://www.shop.rauschig.de/So...ebel-Leder::680.html

If you want to look for other options, Google "Gewehrriemen".

- mike

As mho has mentioned you have to be careful of the sizes Jeff, I ran into the same problem with my R93. Also the little holes in the studs are smaller on European rifles than on US rifes so I found I couldn't just swap for any set of swivels.

In the end I ordered some 1 inch QD Recknagel swivels which are just big enough to take my Westley Richards sling and which fit the holes in the studs on my Blaser. I really fancied a WR canvas sling and it is well made and good to use in the field. It may not be to the taste of everyone and it is perhaps a little out of place on my plastic Blaser but it works for me. Here are some photos of it in place that might give you an idea, the swivels are there as well:

I use the same sling Mike has pictured above on my Drilling, too. I like the Pull-it-Taught feature; when not having a carry requirement - it's almost completely out of the way.

As for Blaser R93 OffRoad Stocks. Factory equipped they come with European sized (18mm, if I recall correctly) non-detachable swivels.

Uncle Mike's machined screw swivel studs fit their fixtures perfectly: same thread, same pitch, both the Buttstock & Forearm. Just unscrew them and screw in the Uncle Mike's. Now you've now got an $11.00 set of detachable sling swivel studs.

I did exactly what Gerry suggests on switching out the studs to QD, perfect. And yes, there is a difference in the size of European and American eyepieces, the European are smaller, which you can also purchase if you use with the QD studs.

As far as a sling, since I switched to Neoprene I'll never go back to leather, they stretch and the weight does not "dig" into your shoulder, an added plus they do not slide off your shoulder as easily, they like 'grab' it. I have a couple kinds, and prefer the Niggeloh
Neopren-Gewehrriemen, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

quote:

Originally posted by caorach:
...Also the little holes in the studs are smaller on European rifles than on US rifes so I found I couldn't just swap for any set of swivels.

In the end I ordered some 1 inch QD Recknagel swivels which are just big enough to take my Westley Richards sling and which fit the holes in the studs on my Blaser.

That works. It is also possible to drill out the holes in the standard Blaser studs to accept Uncle Mike's swivels. I have 3 stocks done this way, no problems over the years - except I have to add an o-ring to my swivel "rod" to compensate for the narrower stud.

However, doing what Gerry and Dom suggests - replacing the Blaser studs for UM - has an additional advantage. I complained to Gerry how my Blaser Off-Road stocks would not fit into the small Blaser (take-down) case - probably the model marked "B" on this picture:



Gerry smiled and said the trick was to remove the factory (front) stud and replace with an UM. He was right! That is what I'll probably do next on some of the stocks I use for overseas travel.

- mike

I second Dom with the neoprene sling. I got one for my Sauer. Great for long distance carrying in mountains. Mine have quick detach so removing the sling is easy.
This is the sling I have

http://www.frankonia.de/shop/G...6/productdetail.html

I think it is the B case I have Mike and my off road fits it with the Blaser stud still in place! Maybe they have changed the size of the case slightly, or maybe even the stock.

Either way I must follow Gerry's advice and get some of the UM studs just to have them to hand as it would make life a lot easier being able to buy virtually any sling/swivel combination rather than having to hunt around for a combination that will work with the Blaser. It wasn't until I asked the question on this forum that I even knew that there were different sized studs and swivels so AR is a great resource for info like this.

quote:

Originally posted by caorach:
I think it is the B case I have Mike and my off road fits it with the Blaser stud still in place! Maybe they have changed the size of the case slightly, or maybe even the stock.

Entirely possible. I found my case used for about half price, so I was not about to return it for a full value (new) specimen. Call me cheap...

It is also possible my space problem was accentuated by the fact, that all my Off-Road stocks have had 1" Decelerators installed. I was less than pleased when I found that none of my 3 synthetic stocks fit my "new" case (fortunately, my wooden stock did). The UM trick should help, though.

- mike

I had not thought about changing out the studs. Thanks for the suggestion. Gerry has offered to help me out with a true European sling. Thanks buddy!!!

I have neoprene Vero Vellini slings on my three R-93 Professionals, and I love them. Like Dom and Sherpi said, they are great for carrying.

Thanks for all the input on this thread!

Another vote for the Neoprene Niggeloh. I have 2 of them.

quote:

Originally posted by mho: . . . It is also possible to drill out the holes in the standard Blaser studs to accept Uncle Mike's swivels. I have 3 stocks done this way, no problems over the years - except I have to add an o-ring to my swivel "rod" to compensate for the narrower stud.

Hey Mike, I almost did that, but instead opted to use a small grinder wheel on a dremel and work down the size of the swivel stud. Main reason was I figured it was easier to replace the studs versus the connecting piece that is soldered on the under barrel of a Blaser Bockdrilling if it wore through! Either way will work though.

quote:

Originally posted by Dom:
Hey Mike, I almost did that, but instead opted to use a small grinder wheel on a dremel and work down the size of the swivel stud. Main reason was I figured it was easier to replace the studs versus the connecting piece that is soldered on the under barrel of a Blaser Bockdrilling if it wore through! Either way will work though.

Dom, looks like there are many ways to skin the cat! I can appreciate you did not want to risk tangling with the bits soldered onto the barrel(s).
- mike

Contact Aleko at Heritage Arms.

He has a sling from the Swiss, that I think he gets from pigeon that works perfect for a combo gun.

It has two pre set lengths. One fairly tight against the gun, the other extended for carrying.

He also has slings that his leather guy makws in SLC. It does not use any metal to adjust the length. I had 2 made with some of my elephant hide on the front of them.

Both are good products.

The Swiss sling attaches and detaches from the factory sling swivels easily.