How to replace a snap hook on a sling/strap?
February 28, 2010 3:55 PM Subscribe
I have a three point tactical sling whose snap hooks went kaput in less than two hours' usage. How can I replace them? Is there a way to remove the hooks from the bracket they are attached to and replace them, or will I need to unsew the strap to remove the whole thing?
I am thinking that it is the strap for a rifle or shotgun
If I'm right, it would probably still be helpful if you could link to something similar to the type you have, since someone with some sewing or crafting knowledge, who does not have weapon knowledge, could probably help with this.
posted by Secretariat at 6:00 PM on February 28, 2010
If I'm right, it would probably still be helpful if you could link to something similar to the type you have, since someone with some sewing or crafting knowledge, who does not have weapon knowledge, could probably help with this.
posted by Secretariat at 6:00 PM on February 28, 2010
Did you buy it from a reputable business? Were you using it for its intended purpose? If so, go back and complain, get a replacement. If not, buy a new one from somewhere else. Or don't use it for an unintended purpose....
posted by Lebannen at 6:03 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by Lebannen at 6:03 PM on February 28, 2010
Best answer: What manufacturer? The few slings I've ever bought have all advertised lifetime warranties, although I've never actually exercised any of them. But it sounds like you might have a situation that would be covered.
Depending on how the QRs work, you might need to unsew the strap. There are several different designs of QR hooks, so without a photo or details on the brand/model I can't really say whether unsewing will be necessary.
I would personally not unsew until all possible manufacturer avenues have been exhausted. It is difficult to sew nylon webbing on a home sewing machine without breaking a lot of needles, and getting the correct thread can be difficult. If you must go this route I would try a luggage repair shop, if you can't find an outfitter who actually does this sort of thing professionally.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:58 PM on February 28, 2010
Depending on how the QRs work, you might need to unsew the strap. There are several different designs of QR hooks, so without a photo or details on the brand/model I can't really say whether unsewing will be necessary.
I would personally not unsew until all possible manufacturer avenues have been exhausted. It is difficult to sew nylon webbing on a home sewing machine without breaking a lot of needles, and getting the correct thread can be difficult. If you must go this route I would try a luggage repair shop, if you can't find an outfitter who actually does this sort of thing professionally.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:58 PM on February 28, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for all the advice. It's a sling for a gun that I bought with my airsoft gun. Here is a link to it with a picture that can be zoomed into by mousing over:
http://www.airsoftmegastore.com/Airsoft_TuffEnuff_Tactical_3_Point_Rifle_Sling_p/acc-st45-sling.htm
The hooks I am talking about are the ones to the upper right of the picture. Ignore the three pieces besides the sling that are in the center.
posted by i2d2 at 7:03 AM on March 1, 2010
http://www.airsoftmegastore.com/Airsoft_TuffEnuff_Tactical_3_Point_Rifle_Sling_p/acc-st45-sling.htm
The hooks I am talking about are the ones to the upper right of the picture. Ignore the three pieces besides the sling that are in the center.
posted by i2d2 at 7:03 AM on March 1, 2010
Best answer: Well, it looks like one of the clips is sewn in and the other has the strap looped through it. So one of them would be easy to replace, the other ... less so.
Those clips look less like anything I've ever seen on a sling and more like something designed, frankly, for luggage. If they are similar to other ones that I've seen, I don't think you can replace just the clip; it's sort of riveted onto the part that the strap passes through.
The more I look at it the more I'm convinced it's just not a very good design, all around. If you can't get the manufacturer to replace it under warranty, I'd replace it with a real three-point or MOUT sling, if your airsoft gun can take it. (Depending on how closely it resembles the real deal, it ought to, I'd imagine. They have hundreds of configurations.) With the exception of the big black buckle -- which is sort of a new / nontraditional thing -- nothing is sewn in to those slings. They thread through the metal parts and then either have H-rings or velcro to secure the strap. (Even the buckle may be field-replaceable; I'm not familiar enough with it to say.)
The usual way of achieving what the clips on your sling provide (easily removing the sling from the weapon) is either with Velcro, as in some of the models above, or with quick-release sling swivels. You have a little nub with a hole in it (the "stud") permanently mounted on the gun, and then you keep the metal loop and swivel attached to the sling, and attach/detach it by popping the pin on the swivel into and out of the stud. This is pretty popular on sporting rifles.
If you do decide to resew (or have someone else resew) the sling you have, and your airsoft gun has regular sling studs on it, I'd buy a pair of real QR swivels from Uncle Mike's or similar and use those instead of replacing the same clips your sling came with. They're not impossible to break but at least they'll be designed to take a fair bit of abuse.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:06 AM on March 1, 2010
Those clips look less like anything I've ever seen on a sling and more like something designed, frankly, for luggage. If they are similar to other ones that I've seen, I don't think you can replace just the clip; it's sort of riveted onto the part that the strap passes through.
The more I look at it the more I'm convinced it's just not a very good design, all around. If you can't get the manufacturer to replace it under warranty, I'd replace it with a real three-point or MOUT sling, if your airsoft gun can take it. (Depending on how closely it resembles the real deal, it ought to, I'd imagine. They have hundreds of configurations.) With the exception of the big black buckle -- which is sort of a new / nontraditional thing -- nothing is sewn in to those slings. They thread through the metal parts and then either have H-rings or velcro to secure the strap. (Even the buckle may be field-replaceable; I'm not familiar enough with it to say.)
The usual way of achieving what the clips on your sling provide (easily removing the sling from the weapon) is either with Velcro, as in some of the models above, or with quick-release sling swivels. You have a little nub with a hole in it (the "stud") permanently mounted on the gun, and then you keep the metal loop and swivel attached to the sling, and attach/detach it by popping the pin on the swivel into and out of the stud. This is pretty popular on sporting rifles.
If you do decide to resew (or have someone else resew) the sling you have, and your airsoft gun has regular sling studs on it, I'd buy a pair of real QR swivels from Uncle Mike's or similar and use those instead of replacing the same clips your sling came with. They're not impossible to break but at least they'll be designed to take a fair bit of abuse.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:06 AM on March 1, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the advice. The clasp is indeed riveted into the metal loop, I just wanted to know if such a part can be replaced by the layman. I will look into having it replaced or getting a new one.
posted by i2d2 at 10:24 AM on March 1, 2010
posted by i2d2 at 10:24 AM on March 1, 2010
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posted by bizwank at 5:33 PM on February 28, 2010