doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Francisque Darne

Carl, if you send pics to brent@iastate.edu, I'll post them for you.

I think this is an example of a Manufrance with a retractable sling. The website doesn't mention it however. I've never actually seen one of these in real life.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-f...=101385284#lg-2

Here is another
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-f...un_id=101333709

We�ve been over the retractable sling here, quite a few times. When I was importing Darne guns, that sling was an option. I sold few of them, they were expensive, and while they are a bit �gee wiz�, they aren�t really a very good sling. The width of the strap is narrow, supporting a 7 lb. gun on a 1/2� strap isn�t that comfortable. The mechanism in the butt adds weight and mechanics right where you don�t want them. The sling was not a Manufrance product, and they appear on all makes of French guns.
To the guys who wanted a sling, and, that wasn�t very many, I always told them to go with the bretelle Darne. I use a sling on a shotgun, and there really isn�t anything that compares. The front loop is free to move up and down the tubes, eliminating most of the complaints about the sling getting hung up in brush. The sling is easily removed when you don�t need it, and easily put back on when you do. I just leave it in place, on my own guns, usually.
Given a choice between sling swivels and a regular sling, or a retractable sling, I�d take the former. It is just a better sling, all the way around. If you are going to have a sling, have a good sling.
The retractable sling is really only for very intermittent use. I guess if I was restocking an old gun that had a functional retractable sling in place, I�d at least consider putting it in the new wood.

Best,
Ted

Ted is absolutely right on the usefulness of the sling on my gun. I had it put back in the new stock to preserve its originality. The sling Ted mentions is a vastly better solution. But there could be moments that you might appreciate having the built in sling handy on a long trek back out of the fields and woods.
Mostly I did it to keep it true to the gun. However my stocker was not happy. Sorry Kirt!

if you'll look closely the sling cartridge on the first example you link (the kirby hoyt 2r gun), it has been reinstalled backwards. the "D ring" has a decided angle that allows it to retract quite flush into the receiving metal housing.

generally i agree with ted & carl, the slings are better in theory than in practice...they are simply too narrow to comfortably use for long, and the auto retraction pulls them tight as soon as you release your grip on the sling. i have them on three MF guns.

There are pictures in the works on mine. As stated I like that in an emergency, I could use the strap, but not as a general rule. Mine was installed correctly and looks nice all tucked in the stock.
Carl

When it comes to shotguns, I often need a sling for short periods of time when duck or turkey hunting. The narrowness would not bother me at all on a 6-7 lb gun for that purpose. I use a couple of the double slip loop slings but then I have to stuff them somewhere when I've gotten to where I'm going and not forget them. They do make VERY handy turkey carriers however, if not being used on the gun. anyway, I like the idea of retractable sling in theory. But practice could be different.

My Darne is my first shotgun with sling loops of any kind. We shall see if I put them to use.

I have 2 Ideals with the retractable sling and a Darne that does not.
I like the sling as a (it's just neat) thing and also for the ability to dig around in a bag or eat an apple without putting the gun in the mud.
I like slings on shotguns but I also like Belgian guns that usually have swivels
For duck hunting in saltwater a sling is mandatory as I don't want the gun in the mud ever.

I like a sling as well. But, I�ll tell you right now, we are a minority in that regard. A lot of my hunting spots are walk straight in, turn around and walk straight out, and a sling works perfect.
The retractable is neat, can be handsome, but, mostly fails as an actual sling. That, is actually good enough, most of the time, on a shotgun.

Best,
Ted

In rereading the posts, I notice that it was mentioned that a small bore Parker looked pregnant. Got to thinking about the Charlin O/U I have. I'm sure many of you may have seen it on GI for quite awhile. I talked to the owner and eventually made him an offer, but hoped he sold for more. He eventually accepted my offer. The gun is very smooth, but looks pregnant too. I've shot it and it works well...but oh the looks!!! And again, like Ted said about the Darne's(Charlin's too), light and well balanced it isn't.
Carl

Some of those are marked �Super Charlin�. The action is fun to cycle back and forth, but, I never deluded myself into believing I needed one.
Hope you like yours. A Darne is tough enough to sell.

Best,
Ted