TAB GEAR - Elite Series Sling

Uncompromising, the TAB GEAR "Elite Series Sling"

TAB GEAR / Elite Series Sling

As many are aware, TAB Gear recently released the production model of the TAB Sling. This sling has been in the works for more than a year and since the beginning has gone through many changes and revisions. In the quest for excellence Tony Burkes of TAB Gear has gone a step further with his "Elite Series Sling". Not to be taken lightly this sling is for the true professional who needs uncompromising components and its easy to see why.

The TAB Elite Series Sling addresses the questions many have put forward in regards to the use of the 2 buckle system. Tony @ TAB Gear realizes the average shooter has no need for a sling that holds a 15lbs rifle to be rated for 4000lbs. Some however have suggested the possibility of the plastic buckles failing under adverse conditions, so Tony has added the AustriaAlpin COBRA Buckles to the TAB Sling making it absolutely uncompromising from front to back. These buckles are known the world over for their strength and durability regardless of the situation, while still retaining the quick detachment feature. Billed as the "world's safest and strongest" quick detach buckle this is the direction Tony felt he needed to go to satisfy some of his hardcore users.

For a brief background here is what AustriAplin says about the Cobra buckles:

AustriAlpin Cobra buckles (patented) are, without equal, the world's safest, most finely crafted, and strongest load bearing quick release fasteners available. They are also the only safety buckle on the market that will not open while under load. That makes them the best choice (we believe, the only choice) for ensuring the highest degree of safety for your customer. All parts are CNC machined, stamped, polished, assembled, QA inspected, and packed (re: from alpha to omega) in our ISO 9001 approved facility, located in the famous Stubai valley of Austria. All Cobra products are tested and certified by highly respected independent /3rd party test houses to meet the highest degree of reliability and assurances for static and dynamic strengths.

All Cobras are made from the highest grade 7075 aluminum alloy and solid brass internal release mechanisms. Each production batch is randomly test certified for strength and in the case of our NFPA buckles all are individually test loaded to 11kN. We offer numerous sizes, finishes, styles, and models to suit almost every application imaginable.

Frame Material: 7075 Aluminum Alloy Internal Locking Mechanisms: Solid Brass Tensile Strength: 21kN (4800lb) Weight: 73grams Our ANSI Cobra exceed all ANSI Z359.1 (4.3.1.3 and figure 25) requirements which stipulate that all hardware buckles and adjusters exceed a 17.8kN (4000lb) tensile load /internal frame test for one minute. A copy of our 3rd Party test confirmation and results can be found under the "tests and certs" link at left. To date, few companies have been able to attain this lofty standard benchmark and those that have, have utilized heavy steel, rivetted plating, and oft cumbersome size and design. The AustriAlpin ANSI and NFPA Cobras are lightweight (made of solid piece CNC machined 7075 aluminum) and nothing short of sexy!

Unlike other products on the market the ANSI and NFPA Cobras have no dangerous potential for accidental opening / release when under load. AustriAlpin’s Patented Cobra technology and design prohibits this problem which is found universally among other 4000lb+ buckles.

We've had a chance to use this sling in both the original configuration and now with the COBRA buckles and AustriAplin's suggestion of "sexy" is only part the story. Paired with the TAB Sling, the COBRA buckles elevate the sling to a new dimension. Not only streamlined and fast to slip in and out of, the TAB Sling is beyond versatile too. See the TAB Sling is really 3 products in one, a sling to carry the rifle, a sling to shoot the rifle and a rear support to replace the sand sock when carrying one is just not practical. The combination of these three elements help it stand out from the other choices on the market, and is what why we feel the TAB Sling is the very best tactical sling in the market today.

The front portion of the TAB Sling is simply a shooting loop that when employed does not change the length of the sling. Once this shooting portion is set up for the shooter, it remains a constant length, as well there is no separate attachment that risks being misplaced or unavailable when necessary. The locking slide is oversized and easy to move so it can be employed regardless of conditions, with gloves or without, you'll never fumble for this slide that maintains a positive lock on the shooters arm. Another nice feature of the TAB Sling design is, the front portion of the sling does not have to be attached to the back of rifle or rest of the sling to used correctly or effectively. If need be, it is completely standalone, and easy to attach, no more trying to figure out how to thread the sling on correctly, its made to be super simple.

The center section of the TAB Sling is there to adjust the overall length of the sling for carrying. Once you have adjusted the front for shooting you don't want to change it so you have be able to easily adjust it for carry. That is the purpose of the center section. Separated by the two COBRA Buckles this section is designed so no matter how you sling your weapon, you have access to a buckle to quickly remove yourself from the sling if necessary. This feature also brings you back to the shooting loop. If you had to break yourself free from the sling, it will still work as a shooting support. Slung muzzle up or down, the COBRA Buckles are in position and will also not ride the shoulders, which is a big plus for long distance comfort.

The Tail section of the TAB Sling was one of the last elements to be finalized. Back in the days we used to use the rear of the sling as something to grip with the non-shooting hand. Then people started to fill socks with sand the rear bag took over this practice for many shooters. The problem with a rear bag is weight and portability, sure there are many solutions on the market, however during dynamic situations you can effectively use the rear section of the TAB Sling for support. It's designed stiff and will almost hold the rifle up on its own, but with the non-shooting hand supporting it, it's rock solid. You can use it so effective in fact thanks to it's design, Tony himself recently shot the 2009 Sniper's Hide Cup without using a rear bag for a single event and still managed a 10th place finish among fierce competition. The funny part is, TAB Gear makes a great rear bag, yet here was Tony simply using his sling to great success to engage precision targets across a tough course of fire.

Understand, everyone realizes very few people require a sling that will hold 4000lbs, but if you feel this option gives you piece of mind, TAB Gear's Elite Series Sling is by far the best sling on the market for you. The drawback to this sling, well the Elite Series is not cheap, in fact it's probably the most expensive sling on the market, but in our opinion worth every cent and then some. Snow, rain, ice and cold, you don't have to question the durability of the plastic buckles if you step up to the Elite Series, but for everyone else we feel the plastic buckles are just fine, and have been proving it everyday with some real hard use. Heck there isn't a piece of military nylon kit I can think of that doesn't use a plastic buckle, from Rucks to M4 Slings, plastic buckles are the standard, but today, precision rifle shooters can scale new heights thanks to the TAB GEAR Elite Series Sling. Available by special order only the TAB GEAR Elite Series Sling will retail for $125, but they are completely uncompromising, these buckles are not definitely not "made in china".

TAB Gear has made a point of listening to user feedback and providing practical gear that just works, the TAB Sling is no different. It's designed to do a job and it does it better than any other sling in our opinion. Biased as some may think us, Tony took the input from a host of people and incorporated the best practices to deliver an uncompromising product. We like uncompromising especially when you consider the end user and the punishment to found out in the real world, well our TAB Slings live in the real world and always keep us on target.

The TAB Sling is available in Black, OD, Coyote Tan, and with Flush Cups, Heavy Duty Standard Swivels as well as HK Hooks, they are available Exclusively at Rifles Only.