"The three-point shooting sling, which we now feature on the Scout rifles, is properly designated the Ching Sling... Eric S. H. Ching designed it, and he deserves full credit for his ingenuity."
-- Jeff Cooper

Shown As Featured on the Steyr Scout Rifle

The Ching Sling is featured on the new
Steyr Scout Rifle

GO TO ERIC CHING'S DIRECTORY PAGE

Table of Contents

Origins
The CW Sling System
The Ching Sling System
The Designer
Manufacturers
Endorsements and Reviews
Field Experience Wanted

Origins

In the field, most rifle shooters today still use a sling only as a carrying strap and not as a shooting aid, probably because the only effective shooting sling for many years has been the military loop sling that is somewhat complicated and slow to use. A few years ago Jeff Cooper rediscovered a long-disused British sling system--the Bisley Two-Point System--that was eminently more practical for field use. He dubbed it the CW Sling in honor of the man who introduced it to him--Carlos Widmann of Guatemala--and incorporated it into his Scout rifle concept.

Top of Page * Table of Contents * Origins * CW Sling * Ching Sling * Designer * Manufacturers * Endorsements * Field Experience

The CW Sling System

The CW system consists of a cobra-style carry sling with QD sling loops and three sling sockets, two in the standard forearm and buttstock locations, and a third just forward of the magazine floorplate. For carry, the loops are attached in the normal positions. A clockwise half twist at the fore end loop allows the sling to lay flat against the arm when shooting. The system works best if the wide end of the cobra strap is attached to the buttstock socket, and thus is most applicable to the African style of carry (muzzle down on weak shoulder).

From this carry position, the only change required to convert to shooting mode is to detach the buttstock loop and reattach it to the middle socket. To sling up into shooting position, the support arm is first inserted fully through the sling, with the wide part of the sling riding up into the armpit. Then the support hand is brought clockwise back under the sling and reinserted into the loop, coming to rest holding the forearm just behind the forward sling socket. The CW sling thus forms a direct connection under tension between the shooter's upper arm and the rifle's forearm, providing solid support.

The CW Sling's advantages are that it is simpler in design and faster to use than the military sling while providing the same level of shooting support. Its primary disadvantage is that it is slow to convert from its carrying to its shooting mode. Another disadvantage is that it requires quick-detachable sling loops in at least the middle and rear positions, thus requiring retrofitting of rifles that have fixed loops.

Top of Page * Table of Contents * Origins * CW Sling * Ching Sling * Designer * Manufacturers * Endorsements * Field Experience

The Ching Sling System

The Ching Sling was inspired by the CW Sling and is designed to overcome its disadvantages while retaining its advantages. In brief, the Ching Sling system:

• Allows faster acquisition of shooting support, because it requires no shifting of sling loops when converting from carrying mode. Not having to disconnect and reconnect sling loops also means virtually silent operation.
  
  
• Can be used on any rifle with existing sling loops in the normal locations with the addition of a middle sling loop, since it does not require QD loops to function.
  
  
• Is flexible enough to be used with the rear loop located anywhere between the pistol grip cap and the end of the buttstock, at the preference of the shooter.
  

Like the CW Sling, the Ching Sling uses three sling sockets. Unlike the CW Sling, the Ching Sling consists of a main strap and a short strap.

• The main strap is attached to the forearm and buttstock sockets just like a normal carry sling. A clockwise half twist in the sling at the fore-end socket allows the strap to lay flat against the arm when shooting. A stop button screws onto the main strap about two-thirds back from the front loop.
  
  
• The short strap attaches to the middle socket and to an oval ring that slides freely along the main strap between the forearm sling loop and the button. The unfinished side faces the muzzle.
  

When the Ching Sling is used as a carry strap, the short strap falls out of the way when the rifle is mounted to the shoulder, whether muzzle up or muzzle down.

Photos courtesy of Rifle Magazine. Thanks also to Finn Aagaard.
(From Aagaard, Finn, "The Sling in the Field," Rifle, 168:34-37, Wolfe Publishing Company, 1996,
6471 Airpark Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301, phone 800-899-7810)

When it is used as a shooting sling, the short strap is pulled tight against the stop button by the support arm as it is inserted through the sling loop forward of the short strap. The loop formed by the forward part of the main strap and the short strap is functionally identical to the CW Sling (left). After the support arm is fully inserted through the forward loop, with the short strap high in the armpit (center), as the rifle is raised to shoulder level, the forearm is rotated back under the main strap and the support hand is reinserted into the loop, grasping the fore end of the rifle. Forward pressure by the shoulder against the rifle's buttstock snugs the sling against the inside of the upper arm, forming a positive link between the arm bones and the rifle for rigid support (right).

Because the Ching Sling System does not require moving sling loops, a competent Ching Sling user can, starting with the rifle on his or her shoulder, dismount the rifle and sling up into shooting position in under two seconds.

Top of Page * Table of Contents * Origins * CW Sling * Ching Sling * Designer * Manufacturers * Endorsements * Field Experience

The Designer

The Ching Sling takes its name from its designer, Eric Ching. He conceived of the Ching Sling System after taking a rifle class at the American Pistol Institute (Paulden, Arizona) under Jeff Cooper and becoming mildly irritated with the CW Sling's disadvantages. Mr. Ching was a member of the adjunct faculty at API (now called the Gunsite Training Center) from 1991 to 1994, and now provides individual firearms training in the San Francisco Bay Area through his own company, Defensive Pistolcraft. He is a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET), the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), and the International Wound Ballistics Association (IWBA). He is currently working with others on a method to mount Scout scopes on production rifle barrels, thereby eliminating the need for and expense of custom pedestal barrels on Scout rifles.

Top of Page * Table of Contents * Origins * CW Sling * Ching Sling * Designer * Manufacturers * Endorsements * Field Experience

Manufacturers

The Ching Sling's original manufacturer was Bruce Nelson of Bruce Nelson Combat Leather, a highly respected custom gun leather maker. Due to his untimely passing, Galco International (2019 W. Quail Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027, phone number 602-258-8295) and Andrew Langlois are now the two approved manufacturers of the Ching Sling in leather. The Wilderness (also in Phoenix, AZ; orders only: 1-800-775-5650) is authorized to make a nylon version of the Ching Sling.

Top of Page * Table of Contents * Origins * CW Sling * Ching Sling * Designer * Manufacturers * Endorsements * Field Experience

Endorsements and Reviews

Jeff Cooper endorses the Ching Sling as the preferred system for his Scout rifle concept (the CW sling remains the alternate standard):

"The three-point shooting sling, which we now feature on the Scout rifles, is properly designated the Ching Sling... Eric S. H. Ching designed it, and he deserves full credit for his ingenuity."

Gunsite Custom Shop, Clifton Arms, and SPT Armament (Sam Trevino, former Gunsite gunsmith) feature the Ching Sling on their Scout rifles.

Magnum magazine (South Africa) reviewed the Ching Sling System favorably. ("Ching Sling", Magnum, July 1991)

Mark Moritz wrote of using his Ching Sling-equipped Scout rifle in the Keneyathalon:

"For getting steadier in a hurry, the Ching Sling is the last word. Of all the modifications on my [Scout] rifle, the Ching Sling is the one I value most." ("Keneyathalon," Guns Magazine 1993 Annual of the Shooting Sports, Vol. 45)

Chris Pollack noted in a product review of the Ching Sling:

"Most hunters...opt for a comfortable carrying strap instead of a shooting sling. The Ching Sling and the original CW sling serve both functions extremely well. Only a little practice is required to achieve very rapid assumption of the shooting position." ("The Ching Sling," S.W.A.T. Magazine, May 1994)

Peter G. Kokalis's evaluation of the Gunsite Scout rifle concluded:

"The Ching sling...is a decided improvement over the CW sling... Once you have used the Ching sling, no other system will suffice." ("Gunsite's .308 Scout," Soldier of Fortune Magazine, March 1994)

Finn Aagaard commented in an article on rifle slings:

"The main drawback to the CW sling is this business of having to shift its rear swivel from one anchor to another. Eric Ching came up with a brilliantly simple solution...Perfection--or as close to it as we are likely to come." ("The Sling in the Field," Rifle Magazine, November-December 1996)

"I never cared for the original CW sling...Your elegantly simple solution completely obviated the problem [with the CW sling], and left the rest of us wondering why we had not thought of that. Thank you!" (Personal correspondence, March 1996)

Gary Paul Johnston's review of the Gunsite Scout Rifle included:

"The sling used exclusively as part of the Scout package is the famous "Ching" sling...Most efficient...allows more steadying of the rifle than other shooting slings. I have a custom Ching sling on my own Winchester Model 70 hunting rifle...[The Ching Sling is] one of the most important aspects of the Scout Rifle system." ("Scout Rifle 1996," Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, May 1996)

Al Pickles commented in his article on countersniper rifles:

"A sling is an absolute must, not just from a long distance carrying standpoint but from a shooting standpoint in that a correct sling, such as the Ching Sling designed by Eric Ching, an Adjunct Instructor at Gunsite...allows for a steady hold from almost any position...I wouldn't dream of taking a long range shot standing, kneeling or sitting without utilizing a sling--and the Ching Sling is the simplest and quickest I have found thus far." ("Rifleman Up!," Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, [date unknown])

Top of Page * Table of Contents * Origins * CW Sling * Ching Sling * Designer * Manufacturers * Endorsements * Field Experience

Field Experience Wanted

I welcome feedback on field experience with the Ching Sling System. Please send an email to me below with your comments.

Bill O'Connor, multiple Gunsite and Thunder Ranch graduate:

"The CW sling was good for slinging or for carrying, but not at the same time. The Ching Sling solved that problem. It's one of those devices you ask yourself, 'How did I do without it?' I've got them on three rifles. I'll put them on more."

Jeff Crowell, free-lance gun writer, hunter/shooter for 28 years:

"[The Ching Sling] has exceeded all my expectations, being handy and convenient to use...Just wanted to thank you for coming up with such an elegant solution (I use 'elegant' in the engineering sense, i.e., a simple, complete solution). As with most elegant solutions, my only comment is, 'why didn't I think of that?'"

Daniel Predovich, Rifle instructor with Jeff Cooper & Clint Smith, SWAT countersniper instructor:

"I have used the Ching Sling in both rifle competition and in hunting situations. I am very pleased with the results. My SWAT students are equipping their countersniper rifles with your slings. Great invention...I cannot speak highly enough of your sling."

Randy Cain, former SWAT and training officer, currently owner/head instructor, Cumberland Tactics, Inc.:

"The versatility of your sling allows the shooter to use either the 'American carry' or the 'African carry' positions. It is also the absolute fastest way to sling-up properly for braced field positions. I have Ching Slings on virtually every rifle I own, both tactical rifles and hunting rifles. I recommend them to my students without reservations."