Introduced in 2020 as a lightweight rifle sling, the Padded Rifle Sling (PRS) by Flatline Fiber Company provides end-users with a simple and comfortable rifle sling for long-term use on the range or in professional use.
Made from milspec A-A-55301 nylon webbing, the 1” wide PRS is open-ended on both sides and has “triglides” that allow the sling to be attached to M4/A2-style swivel sling loops, or on QD loop hardware.
The PRS uses TEX 90 bonded nylon thread throughout for its maximum durability against moisture rot and tensile strength.
At the front is a ITW Ladder Loc buckle with a 3” pull tab for sliding adjustment as needed.
The midpoint of the PRS also includes a 1.5” wide, 500D Cordura nylon wrapped pad (tapered on both ends) behind which is a 1” polymer slide release buckle for emergency release of the sling should the need ever arise.
Specifications:
- Minimum Length: 46” (with the adjuster slide tightened)
- Maximum Length: 51.5” fully extended
The Padded Rifle Sling is available in 16 different colors to include Black (featured), various Multicam patterns, or different camo colors.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): Listed at $65.00, the Padded Rifle Sling (PRS) reflected the balance between the overall volume of nylon material in the sling, and its included padded element for greater end-user comfort. The PRS’s design is comparable to other mainstream padded rifle slings currently offered by market alternatives to include the Vickers Padded Sling ($64.95) by Blue Force Gear, the Wide (Padded) Sling ($49.95) by Viking Tactics, and the Contoured Padded Sling ($65.00) by Lunar Concepts. Thus, at its current price the PRS is appropriately (or at average) priced for the current market and its included design/materials.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): With its nylon sling and mid-positioned, closed-cell foam padding, the front-end adjuster to the PRS moved easily and manipulated between the carry/slung position to a combat ready position quickly. Likewise, the adjuster buckle itself slid easily over the 5301 nylon webbing and did not bind. The sling itself was very comfortable while worn with the added padding, thus the thicker material in the middle of the sling did not cut or chafe into exposed skin. Perhaps one suggestion for Flatline Fiber would be to make the pull tab material an offset color to improve visual ease in finding the adjustor buckle on the fly.
- Durability – Average (3/5): Given the PRS was made from dominantly 55301 nylon and 500D Cordura (an appropriate (or average) material within the market) and quality polymer hardware, the sling held up well to continual adjustment and the edges nor material did not fray. The hardware did not involve overly complicated or spring-loaded points, which often pose the potential for failure, and thus the PRS effectively embraced tactical minimalism.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): From a functional aspect, it’s hard to get overly complicated on a two-point sling. The PRS embraced that simplicity; all while offering a functionally comfortable and quickly adjustable design that made it easy to go from a slung position to deployment in seconds. Attaching the PRS to either A2-style sling points, or on QD style hardware (not included) was easy, and multiple M4 or other carbine-style stocks have considered cuts or points for mounting similar slings in various configurations for maximum comfort.
- Weight – Excellent (5/5): At 2.8 ounces (without attachment hardware), the PRS had an appropriate (or average) weight for the minimal amount of nylon material and hardware involved. Even while wet or soaked in sweat the sling’s material (specifically the padding) did not become excessively logged down. In comparison, the Vickers Padded Sling (5.0 ounces) by Blue Force Gear, the Wide (Padded) Sling (8.0 ounces) by Viking Tactics, and the Contoured Padded Sling (5.0 ounces) by Lunar Concepts demonstrate that the PRS is at an excellent light weight relative to other padded rifle slings on the market and its listed competitors.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://flatlinefiberco.com/product/padded-rifle-sling/
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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