Installing a Sling Swivel Stud

Installing a Sling Swivel Stud

Slings are useful accessories that allow a shooter to carry his firearm with comfort and ease, as well as provide additional stability during shooting.sling swivel stud They are also useful for quick adjustments during tactical maneuvers. There are several mounting standards for sling attachments, including traditional Uncle Mike's studs, QD/Flush Cup sockets, and snap hooks like the Magpul Paraclip or HK-type snap hook. One of the most popular is a sling swivel stud mounted to the buttstock or forearm of the rifle. Whether it is used for hunting, target practice or competitions, a sling helps increase accuracy and decrease muscle fatigue. The sling swivel enables the sling to move with the shooter and keep the gun aligned with the sights.

A sling swivel consists of a push button swivel (approximate diameter 9.4 mm, a little under 3/8 inches) that is placed into a mounting socket on the firearm. The swivel is kept in place by four ball detents connected to the push button that retract when not in use. The swivel may be rotated in the socket to adjust for different positions or to lock the sling to the stud with a click. To remove the sling swivel, push the button again to retract the ball detents.

The sling swivel should be installed about three to three and a half inches up from the bottom of the buttstock or grip cap on most rifles. This location keeps the sling away from dirt, debris and water when the gun is in use or hanging up. It also helps keep the sling out of the way of mud, grass or brush when you are using the weapon for hunting or tactical missions.

Before installing the sling swivel Stud, it is important to make sure that your firearm is unloaded and secure in a padded vise. Locate the mounting point for your sling swivel and mark it with a marker. Then drill a hole into the stock to that location using a power drill with a countersink bit to a depth of about 1/8 inch. Then use a facing cutter in the drill to cut a shoulder for the stud to screw down into. This is important because if you screw down the stud without a facing cutter, it will crush the wood fibers on the high spots and may chip or gouge the stock.

Once the stud has been screwed in, apply a drop of Loctite to the threads and tighten it. After that, inspect the sling swivel to make sure it is square and doesn’t stick up more than a quarter turn from the barrel channel. If the sling swivel sticks up too far, it will not be possible to secure it to the barrel and will cause the firearm to hang up or potentially fall off when slung.