Posted: 1/6/2012 12:35:40 AM EDT
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Magpul has finally released their MS3 - Multi Mission Sling System after what feels like forever.
First off I have to say I like using the single point sling system back in the day when Blue Force Gear came out with there HK hook style single point sling. Naturally when the Magpul MS2 sling came out with all it's hype, I was extremely interested in it. It had it's shortcomings, but overall it was a better fit for what I wanted in a sling system. The Items I saw the I didn't like about the Magpul MS2 sling was the following: 1. Strap Width - Long term usage of the sling it can start becoming uncomfortable to wear. 2. Sling Material - At first touch, the sling material seemed be smooth and soft, but with the common use of velcro in pouches, patches, etc, it was a velcro magnet. Over time of usage, it had thin strands of thread sticking out from the edges. 3. Snap Shackle (J hook) - The snap shackle with the paracord could easily get caught an open, causing your rifle to fall. I've personally had this happen to me with a AR with live rounds. Fortunately for me, the firearm fell in a safe direction, and safety selector was on SAFE. Apparently when I was switching to my camera, my fingers caught the paracord and opened the latch. Removal of the paracord stopped this from ever happening again. 4. Sling Length Adjustment - It was sometimes a struggle to adjust the length of the sling with the loop. I believe the reason was the thickness of the sling vs the metal edges of the bracket on on the loop. 5. Unlocking the Shackle - It was slightly difficult unlocking the large shackle. Not a bit deal, but it was annoying when I wanted to change from a single point to a two point sling. 6. Felt a bit clunking As I write this, I wonder why I like the old MS2 sling.. I suppose it was the first sling that I had that could switch between a single point sling to a 2 point sling. Magpul seems to have addressed some of the issues that people have commonly voiced against the Magpul MS2 sling. The short comings I've seen in the MS2 sling seemed to be have addressed in the new MS3 sling. Magpul MS3 versus MS2 sling Review 
As we know one of the main advantages of the MS2/MS3 sling is it's ability to switch between the single point and two point sling system. I'm not going to go over the advantages disadvantages of the two point versus single point sling systems. I'm just going to talk about the improvements that Magpul made over the original MS2 sling. 1. Strap Width: Apparently Magpul was listening to the complaints of the width of the sling. They changed the sling's width to be a 1/4" wider. I can't say that's a huge improvement, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. Here are the specs taken on a Mitutoyo micrometer: (Note I threw in measurement of my Blue Force Gear single point sling to give another reference) MS2 Sling Dimensions: 1" x 0.085" MS3 Sling Dimensions: 1.255" x 0.087" BFG Sling Dimensions: 1.4" x 0.097" 
2. Sling Material I am not a expert at materials for sling, I can only give my opinion of it. The MS3 sling is a much better material than the MS2 sling. MS3 sling is slightly more rigid than the MS2 sling, but not as rigid as my BFG sling. Both the MS3 and BFG slings are velcro resistance which is a huge plus over the MS2 sling. The edges don't fray, and get caught on velcro and/or rough dry hands. 
(Example of the velcro patches attaching to the Magpul MS2 Sling) 3. Latches/Connectors The MS3 sling's latches are made of polymer and a metal alloy. The MS3 sling uses the same latch system for both attachment point unlike the MS2 sling. I don't know if the polymer is a improvement since polymer can break more readily than metal if not designed/mixed properly. However the awesome thing about the new latch is that there is a locking mechanism on both latches. The MS2 sling only has a clunky locking mechanism on the sling attachment point, and the shackle (rifle connection point) was a Murphy's law about to happen. The locking latch system on the MS3 sling is basically a slide lever which prevented the opening of the latch. It had a positive locking/unlocking feeling, and when in the lock position, the latch (when looking at the side position) doesn't even have a gap, unlike the MS2 connector which had a uncomfortable gap depending on the position of the locking mechanism. The thing that is missing from the MS2 to MS3 sling is the pivot point of the MS2 shackle. It's hard to say if this is good thing or a bad thing. I'd say it's a non issue. Basically the MS2 sling's shackle has a pivot point. It allows the user to straighten out their sling if it gets twisted around.. but it also offers the chance of getting twisted. I say it's a non issue since most slings don't have this pivot point and it hasn't been a issue with them. Also once you lock it on, and it doesn't pivot.. it should be good to go no matter what, unlike the MS2 sling can have the possibility of twisting up while wearing it. The reduction of size of the MS2 shackle that connects to the sling is a positive thing. It was a huge piece of metal. There is a increase in size of the shackle that connects to the rifle. I wouldn't consider it a negative thing, but a thing to note. There is however there is a angle change of the shackle since the MS2 and MS3 connector opening is perpendicular (90 degrees) from each other. So if your using a ASAP plate, it doesn't line up straight using the MS3 shackle liike it does with a MS2 shackle. There will be a 45 degree twist in your sling. I don't notice any negative effects of transition between the weapon side and support side of the firearm, but I haven't used the sling that much. I really can't see the change in angle being a issue 
4. Sling Length Adjustment The MS3 sling adjustment is pretty much similar to the MS2 sling. It does feel like it slides a bit more smoothly probably do to the angle of the edges of the polymer bracket on the loop are less aggressive as the metal one on the MS2 sling. Note I have not used the MS3 sling to see how well it hold up to the pressures of real usage in real life, competition, or in training. My MS2 sling's adjustment has held up in all the training classes, & competitions I have attended. 
Over all I really like the new sling. It's definitely a positive direction for the MSx series of Magpul slings. My MS2 slings will probably be taking a back seat until I can find anything I don't like about the new Magpul MS3 sling. Hope this helps. |
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Quoted:
Another obvious difference is the MS3's lack of a quick dis-connect ability. The snap shackle allows you to quickly detach the sling even under load and I think this was a pretty important functionality that the MS3 lost. Have you tried to quick disconnect the MS3 under load? It's possible and works quite well. Granted its a fine motor movement on both the 2 and 3. The 2 is a pulling movement and the 3 is a pinching movement. Please share your experiences with the MS3. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Another obvious difference is the MS3's lack of a quick dis-connect ability. The snap shackle allows you to quickly detach the sling even under load and I think this was a pretty important functionality that the MS3 lost. Have you tried to quick disconnect the MS3 under load? It's possible and works quite well. Granted its a fine motor movement on both the 2 and 3. The 2 is a pulling movement and the 3 is a pinching movement. Please share your experiences with the MS3. I only mentioned it because I thought that it was an oversight in a comparison of the two slings. I'm a civilian, a bit of a training junkie, and I run a monthly carbine match. Though I had complaints, I didn't think there was a better sling on the market than the MS2 (at least for me). As for my experience with the MS3, I saw a few on some industry people at a match last month and I was so impressed that I now own two! I do like the MS3. My shoulders will certainly appreciate the wider webbing. I think the Magpul clasp is really well designed, I think the webbing is better, and I like the lighter polymer parts. I still think the snapshackle on the MS2 is easier to disconnect. Just grab and pull instead of possibly unlock and pinch and I've never had the MS2 unlatch unintentionally. So I do think, in this case, there is a small loss in functionality. Still, as a civilian both slings exceed my needs. I'm a Magpul fan –– I wasn't trying to stir the pot. :^) Clearly both slings are innovative and it feels like splitting hairs to talk about which is more awesome. I realize it can come off as douchey to say, essentially, "this amazing, innovative sling –– this rare better mousetrap like nothing else on the market takes slightly more time to disconnect from my rifle than the old one!" That wasn't my point. |
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Thanks for the review. I am planning on picking up a MS2 sling at the gun show this weekend, and keeping my MS2 as a back up.
The increase in width of the sling material is one of the main reasons I an upgrading. I also like the idea of the smaller latch when I run it in 2 point mode. The old latch was kind of bulky hanging from the front of the gun. Another thing I really appreciate from magpul is RSA/MSA. I had a carbine with the LaRue rail and had to run the MS2 into a push button qd mount and the large ms2 latch would rotate and push the button and the rifle would fall. So after this happening twice on a hunting trip, i stopped using it in 2 point. Then when the RSA came out I could just use that, plus I could mount it farther forward on the rail so it was more comfortable in 2 point mode. I also running a rifle with a MOE handguard, I am running the L5 rail with a RSA on it, I plan to swap it out for a MSA |