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Posted: 8/27/2026 12:17:42 AM EDT
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I'm looking for detailed info (with photos) for military slings that would have been issued for the 601, 602, XM-16E1, 604, etc.. Any link or photos would be appreciated. |
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As far as issued slings go there's not much to it. The 601 had the Colt-supplied copy of the M1 sling which had a unique weave to the fabric, a flat back to the adjustment clamp like on WW2 production M1 slings, and blackened hardware. The unexciting truth is besides the 601 slings were not procured with the rifles, so all other models were used with whatever M1 sling supply happened to have on hand, "Gun Sling M1", Federal Stock Number 1005-654-4058, the same sling issued for the M1 Garand, BAR, M14, and M79. Cotton, OD #7 or OG 106 in color, with the raised bump stamped into the back of the clamp, blackened hardware, and often visible 1950s-1960s mildew resistant treatment markings. Theoretically some of the WW2 production could still be in use but it'd be unlikely. Nylon ones started to be slowly phased in around 1968. That's it as far as issued and by the manual slings goes. As far as what soldiers actually used in the field, probably every random strap or cord was used as a sling at least once. |
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Here's a pic of the different slings, top is 601, with the different weave, next is a finer weave Garand type sling, I have a couple of these dated early 60s MRT, next is the normal cotton Garand type (there were a few different types of those since they were in production since the 40s), and then a couple types of the nylon "seatbelt" slings, some were more brown, some were green. Black cotton Garand type slings found their way onto SP1s in the late 60s, ( earlier SP1s from 64-67 had what look like black 601 slings), the Black cotton D tip slings, then the black nylon silent slings for all in the early 70s. The Marines used Black nylon Garand type slings in the 70s and 80s, then went to the silent sling. The Coast Guard used green nylon and cotton slings into the 2000s on their M16A1s (they were still in the stock system). 
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Originally Posted By Shadyman: Does anyone make a perfect reproduction? Or are we stuck with a stiff Chinese knock off? Reproduction of which one? There are tons of the USGI canvas and seatbelt ones on ebay. No need at all to get a Chinese one. A reproduction 601 sling will cost around $100. There's a real 601 sling in the EE for $450, which I think is a good price. They rarely come up for sale. |
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Older resource but still useful: https://www.retroblackrifle.com -> military accessories -> slings (it wont let me post the actual link) |
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid"
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
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Originally Posted By ArmaLite_Aficionado: Older resource but still useful: https://www.retroblackrifle.com -> military accessories -> slings (it wont let me post the actual link) Thanks! I forgot to look there:   
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Originally Posted By Shadyman: Does anyone make a perfect reproduction? Or are we stuck with a stiff Chinese knock off? Appleseed has reproduction cotton garand slings the they say are US Made. https://store.rwvaappleseed.com/page13.html They used to carry nylon. I bought both from them. The nylon slips in the keepers on the one i have. |
| There were some repos being made. I remember this because there was a thread posted here about how they would mark them to delineate them from originals |
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid"
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
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That’s a Yugo AK sling Originally Posted By BerettaGuy: I found a few of these green slings in a box of gun parts from around 40 years ago: https://i.ibb.co/YFJsX39X/IMG-4692.jpg Light green color (looks darker in photo) and I put one on my 601 - looks nice. I don't remember what these slings are for. |
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Originally Posted By mudflap757: That’s a Yugo AK sling Originally Posted By mudflap757: That’s a Yugo AK sling Originally Posted By BerettaGuy: I found a few of these green slings in a box of gun parts from around 40 years ago: https://i.ibb.co/YFJsX39X/IMG-4692.jpg Light green color (looks darker in photo) and I put one on my 601 - looks nice. I don't remember what these slings are for. Thanks! I sold those in my shop in the late 1980s and imported some post sample M70s around 22 years ago. |
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This is the page I was thinking about the other day when I read this thread but couldn't find at the time. |
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Originally Posted By gurn-blanston: Here's a pic of the different slings, top is 601, with the different weave, next is a finer weave Garand type sling, I have a couple of these dated early 60s MRT, next is the normal cotton Garand type (there were a few different types of those since they were in production since the 40s), and then a couple types of the nylon "seatbelt" slings, some were more brown, some were green. Black cotton Garand type slings found their way onto SP1s in the late 60s, ( earlier SP1s from 64-67 had what look like black 601 slings), the Black cotton D tip slings, then the black nylon silent slings for all in the early 70s. The Marines used Black nylon Garand type slings in the 70s and 80s, then went to the silent sling. The Coast Guard used green nylon and cotton slings into the 2000s on their M16A1s (they were still in the stock system). https://i.postimg.cc/QdDVgWS5/PXL-20260827-111950469-2.jpg Thanks! Great photo. |
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Originally Posted By shark16: Did Saigon logistical ever make the reproduction 601 slings? I got the 601 open top Bipod case from them but never did see the slings, day late and a dollar short i guess, Lol. I sent them an email, I'll post what they say. I alter the mid 50s hump buckle Garand slings when I can find them, they are the closest I've seen so far. ( Some have the anchor stamps, some don't) Update: No word back from the Saigon place. I don't have a Facebook account, so I can't contact him there. My latest sling: 
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Originally Posted By gurn-blanston: I sent them an email, I'll post what they say. I alter the mid 50s hump buckle Garand slings when I can find them, they are the closest I've seen so far. ( Some have the anchor stamps, some don't) Update: No word back from the Saigon place. I don't have a Facebook account, so I can't contact him there. My latest sling: https://i.postimg.cc/fT3jYvr8/PXL-20260913-184835673-2.jpg Nice sling, thanks for the pic, please keep us updated if you hear back from Saigon. |
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