Super-Sling 2+, WideTrak, Razor Sling and Elite Neoprene Sling

Deben originally brought us the Padded Super-Sling® which you could extend or shorten rapidly to any desired length with only one hand. It also incorporated a handy thumb loop for aid of secure carrying. A look at the new Deben catalogue shows they’ve brought in quite a few others (produced by The Outdoor Connection) that are equally of interest and fulfil specific rolls.

First up is the Super-Sling 2+® (£21.95). The name’s a bit of a giveaway but this is a non-padded sling like the original and it doesn’t have a shoulder pad. At a little over and inch – it’s relatively narrow but very substantial of build and a design some shooters prefer. Again easily adjusted by one hand, with a useful thumb loop for keeping it secure as you move across terrain and comes ready fitted with quality 1 ¼” wide Talon swivels. The Sling is available in Advantage Timber, Hardwoods Green and Black.

Next up the aptly named WideTrak™ (£12.95). This is a simple one-piece webbing design but the only sling to use multi-width webbing. This allows the use of one piece webbing for extra strength and comfort. Though it doesn’t come with swivels it is designed to accept 1” wide swivels, and then opens out to offer a 2” wide and generous length of weather resistant ‘strap.’ Its nice to see that again a handy thumb loop is integrated into the build. Available in black only, this is one for those who want a high quality, well priced sling that’s both durable and light.

Third the curiously named Razor™ Sling (£12.95). However when you check the specifications it more than earns a ‘sharp’ name. The wide shoulder strap is manufactured from Mil-Spec type elastic with an 800lbs tensile strength and Mil-Spec webbing. This allows it to reduce the ‘felt’ weight of a gun by 54%. It earns its name by being razor slim yet very strong and comfortable to wear, even being adjusted by a polymer slide so combined with the elasticated design it can be held secure to the body. It also comes with a thumb loop and a set of E-Z ‘Brute’ Detachable Sling Swivels - available in black only.

Last but not least is a design of sling many prefer, that being the Elite™ Neoprene Sling (£14.95). The new ‘Elite’ comes fully assembled with the same ‘Brute’ swivels as mentioned previously, but the sling is much more substantial being made from 8mm thick closed cell neoprene that is finished with a new look camouflage or black frontal area. The strong one-piece body offers non-slip carrying comfort with over a 2” wide shoulder area, is silent in the field and features a thumb loop. Available in Black, Camo Green (as shown), and Camo Brown.

So you could say, in relation to the ‘strap for your back’, I reckon Deben have a rifle/shotgun sling to suit virtually all tastes and from the new batch I find it hard to choose a favourite. They’re all top quality value for money slings though the innovative Razor Sling and WideTrak are particularly interesting designs.

Semi Detached

As we should all be aware, any rifle sling with swivels is only as good as its attachment point to the rifle’s ‘fixed’ sling swivel stud. Whilst Deben have a quality range of slings – some with quick detachable swivels already included as I’ve outlined - some require that you fit your own. Thankfully Deben also have an equally comprehensive selection of quick detachable (QD) sling swivels – here’s a look at what’s on offer.

From the outset I should mention that all are available in the two popular widths of 1” or 1 ¼” and have lifetime guarantees.

Here I’m looking at the three main brands marketed by Deben and a set of their own brand sling swivels that even come supplied with swivel studs. I hardly have to say it’s no use having a good sling with poor weak swivels; cheaply made swivels can often result in an expensive disaster. From the outset I can say that all swivels featured in this article are of good quality.

First up are the BRUTE E.Z Detachable™ Sling Swivels (£9.50). Of the four here these aren’t exactly what you’d term ‘Quick Detachable’ but they don’t claim to be. Also, on first inspection they tend to look the least ‘strong’ as the swivel body isn’t metal, instead it is described as a ‘very tough but durable synthetic material.’ This one-piece body material makes them extremely quiet as you move in the field, and they attach to the swivel stud by a full-screw thread engagement. The knurled and slotted head blacked steel screw needs to be unscrewed to a point where you can then screw it in using a medium flat head screw driver through the hole of the stud whereupon it screws into the other side of the sling swivel. I’ve had a pair of these for over a year and they’ve never let me down or given cause for concern, despite the rather unusual choice of body material.

Next up the TALON™ Quick Release Sling Swivels (£11.95) that are found on some models of the Super Sling® that Deben also market. The Talon swivels have an all steel one-piece body and are of the more familiar design where the pin holding the swivel to the stud is disengaged from the opposite side of the swivel by pushing it in with a lug above. This then allows the other side to be moved across, the pin fitted through the swivel stud and the side brought back and the pin allowed under strong spring tension can be located back into its original position in the hole on the opposing swivel arm. The spring is stainless steel and the swivels themselves are also available in stainless steel as are the following brand.

The unique TITAN Q/R™ Detachable Sling Swivels (£12.95) have an all-metal construction but to facilitate stud fitting they utilise a solid brass base pin. This has a knurled head you simply pull out, whereupon it stops at the open position at the other side of the fixed swivel arm, push back in through the swivel stud and it re-engages using a very strong steel spring to hold it in place. These are corrosion resistant and very robust. Though quite unique in design, the pull out and push in solid brass pin is surprisingly solid in its operation.

Last but not least we come to Deben’s own, namely the Deben Swivels Screw Set (£10.95). These come with or without wood screws and in various sizes and are based on the more traditional design of a knurled lock screw that has to be turned anti-clockwise until enough of the metal pin is free to then push this in to disengage the metal stud pin, then the other side of the swivel is swung away, put the retaining pin through the stud and bring back the opposing arm. Releasing the lug allows it to re-engage with the other side. For total security you then screw the large knurled screw clockwise until tight.

Conclusions

Slings ‘n’ Swivels are important pieces of kit and just flicking through the Deben catalogue will show that you’re spoilt for choice. So I hope this article has helped readers decide which sling or sling swivels will best suit their needs. Whichever you choose I can certainly say that all featured here are more than capable.

Contact: Deben Group Industries Ltd 0870 4422600
www.deben.com