FAQ

Common name for the part of the rifle that goes around the barrel to protect the user’s hand from heat while firing, also used for the attachment of a variety of accessories such as foregrips, weaponlights, IR illuminators, bipods etc.

2-Piece rounded handguard – a variation of the original plastic handguard for the M16 and designed before handguard attachments became standard equipment, so there are not many options to attach accessories to them. However, there are some aftermarket remedies for this and most rifles that feature this type of handguard also tend to have a fixed front sight post with a sling loop either located at the 6 o'clock or 9 o'clock position.

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1913-Mil-Std. (AKA “Picatinny”) Rail – Currently the standard attachment mounting system used by the US Military for most weapon systems. It appears as a series of alternating grooves and raised flats that run perpendicular to the length of the handguard. Accessories are secured via clamping force.

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MLokstrong> – Attachment method developed by Magpul to be a lighter weight rail interface system for various weapon accessories by making rectangular cuts into an often-tubular handguard that serve as the mounting points for a variety of weapon accessories. It is currently the dominant alternative to the 1913 Mil. Std. Rail on the commercial market and is also featured on some newer weapon systems purchased by the US military.

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Keymod – Released prior to MLok but is also an attachment method that utilizes cutouts of a particular design in the handguard, in this case it is in a teardrop shape instead of rectangular. It has decreased in popularity since MLok started to become the dominant interface style around 2015 but it still has some market presence.

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"Free Float"strong>: a term used to describe a type of handguard that secures to the barrel nut but does not otherwise contact the barrel hence "floating"

All Vickers Sling models are two-point adjustable slings using the patent pending Vickers adjuster, differences boil down to either attachment hardware or specific features.

Unpadded, no preset or sewn-in hardware, most flexible with attachment hardware and sizing, uses removable triglides, 1.25" width webbing

Vickers ONE:
Similar to the above but uses the 1" webbing, a little lighter, intended for lightweight weapons

Padded Vickers:
Padded, no preset or sewn-in hardware, flexible with attachment hardware but sizing is more restrictive due to the pad. Padding is 2", webbing is 1.25"

Vicker Push Button Sling:
Unpadded Vickers Sling with Push Button Swivels included, both sewn in, host weapon must have QD sockets included or compatible with added mounts. Webbing is 1.25", front swivel is 1" (bulk reduction) and rear is 1.25"

Vickers 221:
Two-point to single-point convertible sling, available both padded and unpadded. All feature a Burnsed Socket threaded on at the rear and the choice of a sewn-in PB Swivel or RED Swivel for conversion & the rear attachment hardware is a PB swivel. Webbing is 1.25", padded versions include 2" pad, front swivel: 1", Burnsed Socket: 1.25", rear swivel: 1.25".

Vickers SMG:
Two-point to single point convertible sling intended for SMG, or similar, weapons, utilizes ULoops and a reducing loop instead of QD swivels like the 221, features the Vickers ONE 1" webbing.

Standard Issue Vickers Sling:
USMC issued version of the Vickers Sling intended for USMC small arms including the M16 family, includes a Quick Release Kit (aka strap with a side release buckle) and uses loop-locs instead of removable triglides. 1.25" webbing.

Standard AK Sling:
Stripped-down Vickers Sling with Molded UWL for use with the classic pattern AK47/AKM rifles. Pull tab is smaller, simple label and 1.25" webbing.

Vickers SAW and M240 Slings:
Larger padded slings intended for the M249 and M240 respectively but can be used with heavier weapons, neither include additional attachment hardware but feature a Nomex front end with metal triglides & adjuster for heat resistance, SAW's pad: 3", M240's pad: 4"

These are most often seen on bolt action rifles such as the Remington 700, or any rifle with a "sporter" type stock. These are typically small metal posts that protrude from the underside of the stock and feature a hole from side to side, occasionally however some synthetic stock weapons might have them molded into the stock.

The Side Release Swivel is the most common hardware used with swivel studs

Loops that are typically built into the firearm that allow for the sling to be threaded directly to the rifle.

A round socket approximately 9.5mm in diameter designed to accept a QD Sling Swivel (AKA Push Button Sling Swivel) and features an interior rim that allows the locking surfaces on the swivel to engage. Increasingly these are being included as a standard feature in newer production carbines due to their popularity. For rifles that do not have one standard there are several mounts for customers to choose from.