Why The Hate For Saddle Rings??

[kimwcook]

My thought is that if it is on the carbine it'll stay there. I've dumped a canoe before and lost a couple of things. That ring is a natural place to latch it down to the canoe so I don't lose it. My brother and I dumped a small dinghy in southwestern Alaska trying to get off the beach and back to the boat. Luckily, I had my '94 w/ saddle ring tied down or I'd of been searching in some awfully cold water looking for it.

[AJMD429]

I finally found the pics of the 'quick-detach saddle ring' -

[jeepnik]

Shawn is correct, the ring was intended for cavalry use with a sling across the shoulder.

Which was my point, in all the years I've read and looked at old pictures about guns and western history, I haven't ever seen any account of civilian use of the sling ring, which later came to be called a saddle ring. I have no issue with those that like the cavalry sling idea, I just prefer regular rifle slings. I take the sling (saddle) rings off, I don't like the clinking and scratching of the receiver. No hate, just no use for them. It was a holdover from Winchester wanting to interest the military in their lever guns, which never really happened. They never really had any civilian use, notwithstanding the old wives tale about people hanging the gun over the saddle horn with a loop of leather. That habit hasn't ever turned up in any historical account or picture that I'm aware of.

Historical Schmestorical. I LIKE carrying mine that way. It is quick, handy, won't slip off your shoulder and keeps the muzzle pointed down. Plus it's cheaper than a 3-point "tacticool" sling.

Now there you go, the "original single point sling" attachment.

[DPris]

If it works for you, great.

It'd get in the way of the everyday handgun for me, bang around loosely when on foot, be even more awkward if slung on the other side.
Denis

[Old Savage]

Ah, what the hay, I am going to leave it on for now.

[Old Ironsights]

If it works for you, great.

It'd get in the way of the everyday handgun for me, bang around loosely when on foot, be even more awkward if slung on the other side.
Denis

All it takes is practice... and it makes "transitioning" about 1000X easier...

[AJMD429]

Ah, what the hay, I am going to leave it on for now.

[DPris]

Still be grossly in the way, for me, and I don't care about transitioning from a levergun to a handgun.
Denis

[crs]

It was in the way of the receiver peep sight, so it had to go.

[J Miller]

It was in the way of the receiver peep sight, so it had to go.

In the way of the peep sights? I got two Win 94s with rings and peep sights and they didn't get in the way.
What model rifle/sight were you working with?

Joe

[Malamute]

In my case, the '27 carbine had a Lyman 56 on it, and required the ring be removed, and the '21 carbine had a lyman 21 or 38 on it and the ring was removed. May have been possible in this case to make the sight work without it, but it was probably just much simpler to remove it.

Can tie the gun down with a sling or thru the lever if in a boat I guess.

You can see the hole for the ring partially obscured by the sight.

[AJMD429]

Can tie the gun down with a sling or thru the lever if in a boat I guess.

Nope. Never would work.

Gotta use a 'boat-ring' if you're in a boat, just like you gotta use a 'saddle-ring' ifn you're in a saddle.

-

And if you're bein' tactical. . . you have to use a 'tactical-ring'. . .

[JNG]

When I bought my Sharps carbine I had them add a ring to it. Afew years back there was a post on this forum? maybe? about a fella that made a sling for the saddle ring. I bought one and still use it with my Winny 94. It keeps the rifle out of the way, but is quick to use.

[J Miller]

Malamute,

Yes in that case I can see the interference. You've got an early 1894 with the large stud ring and the Lyman 56 hangs down lower than the 66s and Williams I'm using.

Joe

[Rube Burrows]

I fail to understand the mis-thinking and confusion concerning sling rings. They really do not make excessive noise and are not a negative when carried in the field. This is sort of like an internet "fact" where one person swears that it's a problem and others automatically swear that it's so. Sure, if you swing the gun around like a club it's gonna make some tiny "clinks", but if carried normally the ring is virtually soundless.

I agree. I really like Saddle Ring Carbines and look for them when I can. Also have a couple old ones and the saddle ring made a nice little "wear" mark on the receiver......gives it character.

[buckeyeshooter]

I've noticed that many here don't like saddle rings on a carbine. I'm wondering why. I for one like them. What say you who don't like them? What is it that you don't like about them?

I prefer not to have them, they scratch the finish over time.

[J Miller]

I've noticed that many here don't like saddle rings on a carbine. I'm wondering why. I for one like them. What say you who don't like them? What is it that you don't like about them?

I prefer not to have them, they scratch the finish over time.

So does normal use.

joe

[Udy]

I don't know.

This is the only one I got. I don't use it, but it looks cool. Certianally its not in the way of anything. Doesnt make any noises, it takes some efort to move it, not like it flops around or anything. Just kinda adds caracter, and is quite easilly removed for the offended crowd. How can you hate it.

[marlinman93]

I've noticed that many here don't like saddle rings on a carbine. I'm wondering why. I for one like them. What say you who don't like them? What is it that you don't like about them?

I prefer not to have them, they scratch the finish over time.

So does normal use.

joe

Normal use wont leave a round bare spot on the side of your receiver!
Never been a carbine fan, nor a saddlering fan personally. I've always been a fan of very long barreled rifles. An extra length barrel makes me weak in the knees! Sold every carbine I had in my collection the last couple years. Just never used them, or even took them out to look at.

[Griff]

Hmmm... 4 pages of defensive rhetoric for an appendage that serves no real, universal purpose. Sure sounds like some folks are over-compensating by attacking those with a differing opinion.

[Malamute]

....Or, cabin fever can happen in summer too.

[Redman2006]

I have an 1886 with a ring. I like the look, but the thing tinks over when I shift hands. I can see it doing exactly that at the wrong time.

I have laced it with leather to keep it quiet, but what I would really like to find is a sling designed for carrying a rifle like this as originally planned...in leather or maybe canvas. I have considered just replacing the screw all together.

[Malamute]

I made a plug screw for mine from a metric allen set screw.

Dixie Gun works has reproduction carbine slings as were used in the Civil War and Indian War period, but the snaps they used were large steel affairs, and would likely scratch and bang up your gun. Guess you could just get the sling and arrange your own snap. The sling and snap are sold separately.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I LOVE the saddle ring on my 357 mag 94AE Trapper, it's where I attach my custom Junior Doughty saddle ring sling which works great!

Now the saddle ring on my Taurus 22LR 62LAR levergun with a 23" barrel seemed silly so I installed a take-down screw from a 62 pump 22. On a carbine it makes sense, on a 23" rifle not so much.

[buckeyeshooter]

I've noticed that many here don't like saddle rings on a carbine. I'm wondering why. I for one like them. What say you who don't like them? What is it that you don't like about them?

I prefer not to have them, they scratch the finish over time.

So does normal use.

joe

Normal use wont leave a round bare spot on the side of your receiver!
Never been a carbine fan, nor a saddlering fan personally. I've always been a fan of very long barreled rifles. An extra length barrel makes me weak in the knees! Sold every carbine I had in my collection the last couple years. Just never used them, or even took them out to look at.

thank you MM93! could not agree more!