Jan 6th 2025
Padded Vickers Sling™ Overview
Padded Vickers Sling™ Overview
Attachment, Sizing, and Tips for Better Shooting
Always Better® | January, 7th 2025
In this video, Chris Sizelove walks through the benefits, setup, and sizing of the Padded Vickers Sling. You’ll see why it’s so popular for comfort and stability, and how to attach Push Button QD Swivels. Chris also demonstrates step-by-step how to properly size and adjust the sling so it fits your body and weapon system. Whether you’re looking for extra comfort on long days at the range or just want to fine-tune your sling setup for optimal support, this video provides a clear, concise overview of the Padded Vickers Sling and how to get the most out of it.
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I'm Chris Sizelove, and this is the Vickers Padded Sling. Very shortly after the original Vickers Sling—which is 1.25-inch webbing with no pad, as you can guess—a lot of people said they’d kind of like a pad. So, the Vickers Padded Sling was introduced.
The biggest question we get is, “Why would I want a pad, or what makes it different?” Here’s my answer: if your rifle is on the heavy side (imagine thermal, laser, light, suppressor, or a longer, heavier gun for whatever reason) and you’re doing a lot of shooting with just a T-shirt on (i.e., not wearing body armor or other combat equipment), then by all means, having a pad running across your back and neck is advantageous because it’s wider and softer. It won’t bite into your neck as much as raw 1.25-inch webbing.
The front of the sling is a Vickers Sling with the Vickers quick-adjust pull tab—nothing changed there. What has changed is the design in the middle section, where you can make a lot of adjustments. This particular Padded Sling does not have any sewn-in hardware; instead, you get a raw triglide in the front and a raw triglide in the rear, onto which you can put any mounting hardware you want. In this case, I have two push buttons (front and rear) for this particular rifle. To mount the push buttons onto the sling, you just pull the free-running tail out of the triglide, thread it through the push button, and feed it back through the triglide—easy day.
Because this is a Padded Sling without sewn-in hardware, you have a lot of adjustability. You can adjust it up front, you can adjust the entire center section, and you can adjust it for length at the rear. Of all the Vickers Slings, this one is the longest; it can become the longest sling you can possibly get if, for whatever reason, you need a very long sling. But you can also adjust it down to normal sling lengths. Now that I have the mounting hardware on there, let’s see if it’s sized right. (Spoiler alert: it’s not.)
I’m right-handed, so I mount the sling to the right side of the buttstock. With the sling attached, I check if it’s sized correctly. Even at full tightness, it’s still obviously quite loose, so that won’t work. When sizing the Vickers Slings, step one is always to pull the adjuster tab back to somewhere around the middle of your workspace—somewhere between your armpit and where it’s mounted on the front of the gun. Because it’s a Padded Sling, I’m going to take a lot of the slack out of the center section by removing the free-running end from the triglides and adjusting it down a bit.
After adjusting, I check again. Now, at full tightness, I have a tension sling that gives me a fifth point of contact on the gun, and it’s sized correctly for me and the weapon system. If you end up with excess webbing you don’t like, you have two options:
- Fold it back through the triglides (they can fit three widths of sling through them), which will clean it up.
- If you know you’re only ever going to have it on this weapon system, you can cut it, then use a lighter to burn the end so it never frays.
All in all, the Vickers Padded Sling is a fantastic option for heavier guns or for when you’re doing a lot of shooting in just a T-shirt, where that pad really comes in handy. You can buy it in a raw configuration like I’ve shown you, or we do have some models with sewn-in hardware options. But overall, the Padded Vickers Sling is a great choice.
Why Choose the VCAS™ Padded Sling?
The Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS) revolutionized weapon slings over a decade ago. Even early in its lifecycle, it quickly became the standard of two point quick adjust slings. The unpadded VCAS comes in 1.25” webbing and the padded version features this same width webbing on the front and rear but a 2” pad in the middle of the sling. The padded version of the VCAS came after the unpadded model had been widely adopted by end-users. This variant addressed the needs of shooters who required or preferred additional comfort without sacrificing functionality.
Blue Force Gear added a pad for users running heavier setups. The cushioning makes a significant difference when carrying guns with thermals, lasers, lights, or suppressors. This is especially true when shooting in lighter clothing like a T-shirt that doesn’t have the buffer or additional padding provided naturally by gear or body armor. The wider, softer 2” padding of the sling distributes weight more evenly across your back and neck, preventing the discomfort that can come from traditional webbing digging into your skin during extended use.
Design and Hardware
The Padded VCAS operates the same way as the unpadded version. The front section that attaches to the barrel end of the gun utilizes the tailless Quick Adjuster pull tab that allows for rapid tightening and loosening of the sling during operations. Unlike models with permanent hardware, this sling comes with raw triglides at both ends, offering maximum flexibility in mounting options.
For those interested in using Push Button QD Sling swivels, installation is straightforward. Simply remove the free-running tail from the triglide, thread it through your chosen hardware (like a push button), and rethread it back through the triglide. This simple design allows for easy customization based on your specific needs and preferences.
Sizing and Adjustment
Getting the perfect fit with your Padded Vickers Sling requires some initial setup, but the process is straightforward. For right-handed shooters, begin by mounting the sling to the right side of the buttstock. The first step in sizing is positioning the adjuster tab roughly between your armpit and the front mounting point of your weapon.
One of the unique advantages of the Padded Vickers Sling is its extensive adjustability. It can be configured as one of the longest slings available when fully extended, yet it can also be adjusted down to standard lengths. The center section can be fine-tuned by removing slack through the triglides, allowing you to achieve the perfect tension for your shooting style.
After achieving your ideal fit, you might find yourself with excess webbing. There are two practical solutions for this: you can either fold the excess material back through the triglides (which are designed to accommodate up to three widths of sling material), or, if you're certain about your setup, you can trim the excess and seal the end with a lighter to prevent fraying.
The Padded Vickers Sling represents a thoughtful evolution in sling design, offering enhanced comfort without compromising the adaptability and functionality that made the original Vickers Sling so popular. Whether you opt for the raw configuration with maximum customization potential or choose a model that has pre-installed hardware, you're getting a sling that's built to perform under the most demanding circumstances.
Available in both raw configurations and versions with pre-installed hardware, the Padded Vickers Sling continues to prove itself as a reliable choice for shooters who demand both comfort and performance from their equipment.
Padded Vickers Sling™
About Chris Sizelove
Chris Sizelove is a retired Master Sergeant who had a distinguished career in the U.S. Army. Joining in 1999, he served in various capacities in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment spanning across the 2nd, 3rd, and 1st Battalions. His extensive service includes roles as a Pre-Ranger Instructor and a pivotal participant in forming the Regimental Special Troops Battalion (RSTB). Sizelove also held the elite position of Master Breacher of the Regiment and later transitioned to roles in the Defense Intelligence Agency.
About Blue Force Gear®
BFG, headquartered in Pooler, Georgia, has been a trusted name in professional-grade gear and accessories for two decades. Their commitment to excellence, innovative designs, and use of premium materials have made them a favorite among military, law enforcement, and recreational shooters worldwide.
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