Reel Sling Retractable Rifle and Shotgun Sling by Gear Keeper

Pros

• Retractable sling quickly self-adjusts to allow carry over one or both shoulders.
• May be locked at a given length to provide service similar to a conventional sling.
• Don't let the skinny tether fool you - it's very strong (think Kevlar/Spectra).
• Neoprene shoulder pad is flexible, comfortable, quiet, and non-slip.
• Quick-detachable (QD) sling swivels are of high quality and can be locked shut.

Cons

• Can be awkward if you keep it on your gun.
• Noisier than conventional slings.
• A little heavier than most slings.

Description

• Rifle and shotgun sling with a spring-loaded retractable tether reel.
• Comfy, non-slip neoprene shoulder pad.
• May be used with the reel locked or unlocked.
• When locked, the reel acts like a conventional sling.
• When unlocked, the sling automatically adjusts itself (this is sometimes good, sometimes bad).
• The sling unbuckles near the front, and stows on the gun in two parts.
• Rear portion includes most of the sling (including reel and shoulder strap) and wraps around buttstock to stow, using Velcro.
• The small front portion stows by allowing the magnet on the buckle to affix to the sling stud, gun barrel, magazine cap, etc.
• Allows you to keep the sling out of the way but still attached to your gun.

Guide Review - Reel Sling Retractable Rifle and Shotgun Sling by Gear Keeper

The Reel Sling is nifty, for sure. And the reel is tougher than you might think... the tether is Kevlar or Spectra (it varies), and the reel feels and acts plenty strong. The neoprene shoulder pad is nice, too. Overall, it's a good quality product with a thoughtful design.

The Concept

Here's the idea: You get to where you're hunting and you don't want a sling hanging off your gun. What next? If you have a conventional sling with QD swivels, detach it and do something with it - set it aside, cram it in a pack or pocket, whatever.

With the Reel Sling, you unbuckle and un-Velcro the two parts of the sling. There's a magnet on the short front part of the sling - stick it to the sling stud, barrel, magazine cap, or whatever. Wrap the rear portion of the sling around your buttstock and secure it with Velcro. When you leave, you won't forget the sling and lose it, because it's still attached to your gun.

That's the idea, and it works. But I find it awkward having the sling gobbed up on my stock, and the whole thing makes my gun noisier. When deer hunting, I often rest my rifle in the neighborhood of the front sling stud, and that gets troublesome when it has a piece of sling attached.

This sling is noisy where the top of the reel box attaches to the sling, and locking/unlocking the reel makes very loud clicking sounds.

Me, I'd rather use a standard sling and detach it when I get into hunting position. It gives me less to worry about and keeps my gun much quieter. But if you like high-quality gun gadgets and/or you're the kind of hunter who routinely loses things, then Reel Sling might be just what you need.

- Russ Chastain