How to Install a Garand Sling

The .30 caliber M1 Garand was the first semi-automatic rifle issued to infantry of a major military power. Designed by John Garand in 1932, it saw service as late as the Vietnam war. The Garand was the no-frills stuff of heavy duty, Depression-era ergonomics: Forged steel and hefty walnut, it weighed fully three pounds more than a modern M16. The brawny slings supplied with the M1 were variants of the M1907 rifle sling, available in leather or canvas webbing with steel or brass hardware. The M1907 acted as a carrying strap and adjustable support for aiming.

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the rifle on its left side.

    • 2

      Pull the shorter of the two straps through the rear sling swivel, oriented so the metal o-ring is nearest to the stock and the end with the hooks is outside. The hooks should face in toward the stock.

    • 3

      Slide one of the keepers on the long strap. Pull the end of the longer strap without hooks on it through the o-ring on the short strap.The keeper on the longer strap should now be positioned between the o-ring and the hooks at the end of the strap. Pull the end of the longer strap back through the keeper.

    • 4

      Press the hooks on the end of the shorter strap through a row of holes below the hooks at the end of the longer strap.

    • 5

      Slide the second keeper on the longer strap. Feed the end of the longer strap through the front swivel swing, bend the end back and pull it through the second keeper.

    • 6

      Press the front hooks on the end of the longer strap through the one of the rows of holes in the longer strap just below the front swivel sling.