Henry Rifle Forums

Just like the sling for Miss Tina's Rifle, I used the Gonzalez Thumbhole pattern. However, rather than feathers, I carved the classic western oak leaf and acorn pattern after several practice plates were carved and set aside. I settled on an autumn coloring for the leaves, with green background and the black sling since the rifle is factory stocked in a light green. I'm happy with the result, but as always, there are things I would do better next time around.

I took my time and even put some detail in the three contrasting loops (keepers?) I made to keep the sling flat. The center of the three shows the stitching on the underside of the loops. They were burnished around a form made by gluing two pieces of scrap leather cut from the strap to give them the proper shape.

The keepers:

The sling:


Mounted on the 556 Ruger American Ranch Rifle. I chose this model and caliber since it will take both the AR15 mags and shoot both 556 and 223 rounds. It's very accurate.


If I make another sling, I might go with the quilted pattern in burgundy. It's striking.

It looks great Marine.

Thanks Dave

Very pretty!

That's really a nice sling, never seen one like that before

The thumb hole in the sling allows you to stick your thumb in the hole to control the rifle on your shoulder while your arm simply rests, hanging by the thumb. You don't need to grip the strap of the sling, and you don't have to fight to keep the sling from sliding off the shoulder as you move along. Anyone who has spent any time humping a rifle or shotgun around on their shoulder knows the feeling of them always sliding off that shoulder. As a Marine Corps veteran, I spent a bit of time with various long guns on my shoulder. I humped a 12 gauge around miles of flight line while on guard duty, and an M16 around a couple of "incident" sites in the woods to prevent aircraft parts from wandering off. Of course there were those training marches with full packs in South Carolina...

I humped a few rifles hunting as well. Once I discovered the thumbhole sling, it was a lot easier.

Beautiful work!

Nice contrast on the sling, looks great on that Ruger.

I’ve humped a lot of rifles in the hills and valleys of NE Washington State and I really could have used that thumb hole sling. I mostly always ware some kind of back pack so had to fight the straps on both it and the rifle. That thumbhole sure would have made things easier.

That is a fine looking sling with more than a passing purpose - nice job!