PDA

View Full Version : Blue Force Gear Vickers 221 Sling



DMViergever
9 June 2014, 18:19
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_4729_zpsc8cfbacf.jpg
VCAS
221 on Impact Weapon Components SCAR QD cups

Slings are important and rightfully so. When I build my rifles I never skimp and by the time it is said and done it is nothing to have a couple thousand dollars in a rifle, especially when you figure in a light, optic and some of the other creature comforts that make a battle rifle a more effective tool. When it comes to strapping that rifle to me there is absolutely no reason to skimp. Over the years I have had a slew of slings...I even had an old three-point that I got for my first AR that was more of a varmint rig, I ended up giving it away.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5261_zps40d709b1.jpg
Adjustment is made easy by simply pushing or pulling the adjustment strap that is a different color than the sling for easy location.

In the last couple years I have bounced back and forth between single and two point slings. Before that I used only single point as I was mostly doing defensive carbine training and for classes and that sort of thing the single point worked excellent. When I started using my ARs more for hunting as well as defensive rifles I quickly learned the disadvantages of a single point. Sure you can cross a fence or climb a tree stand with a single point but the 2 point makes it a bit easier and far more convenient. That is when I settled on hybrid slings that offered the best of both worlds.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5263_zps7de9bbba.jpg
Another look at the adjustment strap.

Recently I got into contact with Blue Force Gear and after perusing their selection of slings picked out one of the Vickers Combat Application Slings. They have several different models but the one that I felt met my needs most was the padded Vickers 221 Sling. The 221 offers the same capabilities as the tried and true VCAS family of slings that Blue Force Gear has been putting out for the last several years but with the ability to convert from a two point to a single point with the help of their new RED Swivel and their Burnsed socket at the rear attachment point. The RED Swivel works very similarly to a typical QD swivel but takes the wasted motion of having to push the button and then pulling out of the equation by adding a cone-shaped knob to the swivel. This allows the user to give a simple pull in order to release their sling if they need to get rid of their primary weapon in an emergency situation or when converting to single point usage.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5142_zpsc8d4a847.jpg
Red Swivel in an IWC KeyMod QD cupRed Swivel in an IWC KeyMod QD cup

My original concern was snagging that would cause the RED to release but this has not been an issue. Blue Force Gear credits the shape of the knob combined with the seven pounds of force it takes to release it for this. Mine was pretty gritty and sticky when I first received it, particularly when trying to insert into the Burnsed Socket but this is typical of QD swivels and after a little bit of usage it has smoothed right up and runs very well especially after using a little lube on the pair as recommended.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5098_zps7660b83f.jpg
Red Swivel is easy to use effectively with support hand

The Burnsed socket is a molded QD attachment point that connects to the rear part of the sling. This is the part that gives you the ability to go from two point to single point easily.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5104_zps8d2c2d75.jpg
The Burnsed Socket and RED connected for single point use.


The thing I really like about the Burnsed is how flat it lies and how close it rests to the rear QD swivel. This allows me to run it two point and connect it weak or ejection port side and still be able to transition to weak side shooting without having a large "lump" in the sling where it hits the stock. This is one of the reasons I decided to dump my MS3 sling for the 221.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5101_zpsb962c8b7.jpg
The Burnsed Socket lying flat against the weak side of the Bravo stock, not in the way.

This is my first run with any of the Blue Force Gear sling and while the 221 is a little pricey but the durability, quality of 100% American made parts and ease of use easily rectify the price for me. I run quality weapons even though I am not put in harm's way regularly and make every rifle I build so that I have zero doubts that it could be used to defend my life so skimping on a quality sling is senseless to me anyways.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5118_zps48194f38.jpg
A good shot of the Burnsed

The padding on the Vickers 221 makes it incredibly comfortable and wearable for long periods of time and never gave me a feeling that it was rubbing or cutting into my neck a bit. The extra girth also seems to do well to keep the rifle in place as oppose to letting the sling slide on the body. The only downside I have found is the padding leave slightly less room for adjustment. Even with rifle plates on the sling is tightened down to where there is very little adjustment left.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_5151_zps5e175075.jpg

Overall I have been very happy with the Blue Force Gear VCAS 221. It has held up well for me and always does its job. I like the ease of adjustment to loosen and tighten it as it just requires a simple push or pull on the tension strap. The feature of the RED Swivel has also grown on me, even though I rarely use it, it is certainly a nice feature when removing the sling or trying to untangle. The price is fairly high for these slings but American made, high quality parts are hard to come by and are, in my opinion, worth it every time.


http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/IMG_4834_zps4058b090.jpg

browcs
9 June 2014, 20:38
Outstanding review DMViergever! Thanks for taking the time to write it and sharing it with all of us.

voodoo_man
10 June 2014, 04:04
nice review.

Thanks for posting.

GOST
10 June 2014, 10:46
Great review DMViergever. I had been considering one of these but instead just bought the burnsed socket.

mustangfreek
11 June 2014, 00:22
Outstanding review DMViergever! Thanks for taking the time to write it and sharing it with all of us.

X2 on what he said, awesome review, pics, etc...

DMViergever
11 June 2014, 05:47
Thanks fellas! Glad you liked it and thanks for the support!

DutyUse
12 September 2014, 01:10
Great review! Question for you, how much adjustment is built into the sling? Like can you really cinch it up tight to the body in 2pt mode or do you run out room?

UDT
12 September 2014, 05:40
Thanks, for sharing. A great review.