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Review: Echo Nine Three Dual Mode Sling (DMS)
Slings can be very simple. Some do little more than tie your rifle to your body. Slings can also be very complex with various sliders, clips, buckles, tabs, adjustments, and more. The Echo Nine Three Dual Mode Sling (DMS) is neither very simple nor very complex. It splits the difference by offering fairly basic sling functionality with a dash of modern features.
Overview
The Echo Nine Three DMS is a sling that designed to work with the Echo Nine Three Sling Plates and the standard front sling attachment of your typical AKM. It attaches via HK style snap hooks. It also offers the ability to configure the sling as a 2 point or single point sling on the fly via a piece of custom hardware that acts as a hub and allows you to attach the front snap hook to the sling itself.
The DMS is a bit different in concept than most 2 to 1 point convertible slings. Most of them are built to be 2-point slings that can function as a 1-point when needed. The DMS is designed to be a 1-point that can function as a 2-point. The 1-point functionality is the emphasis of the DMS. As a result, the 2-point sling functionality is pretty basic.
This custom piece of hardware is the key to the dual mode functionality of the DMS.
Observations from Use
The hardware makes the DMS sling work. The HK style snap hooks work very well with the AK front sling mount and the Echo Nine Three Sling Plates. They also work very well with the custom hub hardware that Echo Nine Three uses to give the DMS its 2 to 1 point functionality.
Converting the DMS to 1-point configuration is as easy as attaching the snap hook to the hub.
The DMS sits very comfortably in both configurations but really shines as a 1-point sling. It is successful as a 1 point sling thanks to how well the snap hook interfaces with the custom hub piece. The hub has straight sections instead of being rounded. These straight sections seem to encourage everything to lay flat and hold the 3 intersecting sections of the sling at comfortable angles.
In 2-point configuration, the DMS is basically just a strap. It lacks any type of quick adjustment that would allow transitions. This is due to the 1-point first design of the DMS. 2-point configuration basically just serves as a more stable carry option. If the user thinks they will need to do a lot of transitioning from shoulder to shoulder, they should put the DMS in 1-point mode and transition to their hearts content.
The DMS is designed to work with the standard AK sling mounting point at the front…
and with an Echo Nine Three Sling Plates as the rear mounting point (though it will work with any application that will accept snap hooks).
The webbing that I used has somewhat harsh edges. I carried an AK using the sling for full day of training and several other shorter sessions without issue but some users may find the edges of the webbing to be harsh against their skin. On the plus side, the webbing is fairly slick which allows it to slide easily as you manipulate your AK.
There were no durability issues at all with the DMS except for the paint wearing off the snap hooks which is to be expected. The construction quality is excellent with heavy stitching and box stitches locking everything in place. It is hard to imagine that this sling won’t last a long, long time.
I did find that the tri-glide that is used to adjust sling length can slip a bit as you are donning the sling – especially if the sling is in 2-point configuration. I am not sure if this is happens due to the tri-glide or because the webbing is fairly slick. It doesn’t slip while the sling is in use and the webbing is pulled tight. It really only happens when you are donning the sling. It happened enough to be mildly annoying. Thankfully, the tri-glide slides well enough that it is easy to adjust even when you are wearing the sling (if you lift the AK slightly to give the sling some slack).
Echo Nine Three DMS in 2-point configuration.
Wrap Up
The best thing about the DMS is its simplicity. Even though it has the modern 2 to 1 point convertible feature, it is still very simple in its individual configurations. The custom hub hardware works very well with the snap hooks and the DMS itself works very well with the Echo Nine Three Sling Plates. If you are primarily a 2-point sling user, then the DMS may not be for you. If you are primarily a 1-point sling user but are looking for something with a more stable carry option, then this will be right up your alley.
Check out the DMS on Echo93.com.
New AK Sling Adapters and Dual Mode Sling
Echo Nine Three just expanded their line of first rate AK sling adapters and they have also introduced a clever new sling to go with the adapters.
When it comes to single point slings, the best place that they can be attached to the rifle is right at the rear of the receiver. This will maximize mobility while still allowing the rifle to hang in a muzzle down configuration. This also happens to be a great place to mount your rear sling attachment point for a 2 point sling for basically the same reason – maximum mobility.
Top, Left to Right: V1, V2, V3, V4 Bottom, Left to Right: V5, V5/AMD, V5/MU, V6
There are 4 new sling adapters: V5, V5/AMD, V5/MU, and V6. Each one is designed to work on a different rifle. The V5 is an ambidextrous sling adapter that will work with most underfolders with stamped receivers as well as with AK pistols. The V5/AMD and V5/MU are similar except they are designed to work with AMD rifles or Milled/Yugoslavian rifles respectively. The V6 is reversible and is designed to work with AKs that have milled receivers with fixed stocks. There are enough configurations to cover the vast majority of the AKs that are readily available.
Echo Nine Three Dual Mode Sling (DMS)
The new DMS (Dual Mode Sling) is one of the most clever convertible slings that I have seen in terms of how it transitions from 2 to 1 point configuration. Each end of the sling has an HK style snap hook sewn into place. There is a short lead section just behind the rear sling attachment point that is attached to a unique piece of custom hardware. This custom hardware is the key to the function of the DMS. It is basically a large metal “loop” that you can quickly clip the front attachment point to in order to transition to 1 point mode. It is unique because it is polygonal in shape which allows the sling parts to “lock” into place and lay flat on the wearer’s chest without bunching or rolling.
I have been working with the V1, V2, and V3 sling adapters for some time now and I can say that they are the best rear sling attachment options that are available on the AK. They work exceedingly well and given their simplicity, I have no doubt that these new adapters will work equally as well. The new DMS also looks like a winner. The custom hardware that is used really sets this sling apart.
The Echo93 sling mounts are available from Brownells. You can check out Echo93.com and the Echo Nine Three Facebook page for information.
Stay tuned to JTT for reviews of the V1, V2, and V3 sling adapters and a review of the Dual Mode Sling.