Slik Sling V3 - Any users yet?

[DisplacedHusky]

Rifle Sling | The Slik Sling V3

Highly rated rifle sling for hunting ease and efficiency. Designed and assembled in Montana. Our hands-free rifle sling, the Slik Sling V3, is the latest product from Creative Outdoors designed to improve the comfort and performance of your hunt.

www.creativeoutdoorsmt.com

Has anyone had a chance to lay their hands on the new Slik Sling V3? Still in search of a good way to carry my rifle.

 

[ChrisAU]

I just used the previous generation on a week long mule deer hunt and absolutely loved it compared to the KIfaru gunbearer style setups. Will have to look into this.

Edit to add: I used the Exo butt holder piece, I already had it bridged from the pack to the waist belt to use with the Kifaru gun bearer upper. The new cradle in this V3 version looks awful at first glance.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Man that look like quite the contraption.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Wow that’s “busy” - I already found the V2 system to be a bit over the top as well, or is it very busy, and this latest iteration looks like it’s getting a little too cute. But can’t really knock it till you try it - I’m not putting something that complicated on my pack….

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

I have a V3 arriving soon that I should be able to start using this weekend and give first impressions here.

I'm rarely an early adopter or among the first to order something when it's released, but I've used the V1 and V2 slik slings the last few seasons and really like the design and the hardware improvements that were made with V2.

V3 is a departure from many aspects of the V1/V2 approach. No more of the strap wrapped fully around the barrel, redirected by the clip, and then secured by the locking cam buckle. This new strap that looks like a ski strap seems like it could be faster to remove and easier to identify as different than a backpack strap. If you've ever grabbed your pack's shoulder harness adjustment instead of the tail end of the webbing that runs through the cam buckle, when quickly releasing your rifle, you know what I'm talking about.

The method of attaching to the pack shoulder harness is different as well, and could allow more options for placement, depending on your pack.

One of the biggest changes appears to be the strap for the buttstock has gone from a webbing loop to a saddle with a support bar. I'm very curious to see how this holds different stocks and what it's like to have it secured to the hip belt.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

I have not used either, but it seems like I would prefer a hybrid of the V3 strap system on top and the simpler, lighter bottom of the V2.

 

[Ditt44]

Wow that's over complicated and bulky. I modified a Slik Sling last year and ended up ditching all but the straps. I added a snap-in swivel on spare strap, inserting that on the rifle forearm stud then adding the clips, as shown in the pics. Originally used the Slik Sling components to anchor it a bit more on my pack and to tension it if I wanted too.

Essentially, you don't need that stuff. Use a snap/clip set by anchoring one on your pack, the other end as I did with the swivel mount. If you leave enough slack in the strap, you can loosen and tighten as you wish. In my opinion, this method is much more secure, does not drift/slide off and you have no worry of the snap suddenly popping open as that light clasp may do. Pics show the pack with the Slik Sling strap minder still on it; you can keep it or remove it depending on how long the strap is or how much it annoys you. You implement this for a few bucks, buy or use any spare clips and straps you have.

 

[wapitibob]

It took a cpl days to get used to the V2 but I really like it now. Gun can ride in back like in the vids, or barrel out the front. Very solid, I even tested it by crawling under a fence, zero issues.