If you sling a rifle behind your back, with muzzle up, should it ever point over your left shoulder? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My customer is buying an illustration of a modern-day US military troop facing the viewer, and saluting. <br /><br />ACROSS the troop&#39;s back, there is a slung M4. It&#39;s not just hanging by a strap off the shoulder; it is diagonal. <br /><br />My customer wants the muzzle to point up and to the left, because if it points to the right, the salute covers the muzzle. I suggested that this is incorrect. <br /><br />Technically, this illustration will likely be used for branding purposes for my client&#39;s startup company, and thus it may be seen by consumers in the military. So I feel it should be accurate. <br /><br />What do you say? Mon, 19 Jul 2021 19:21:17 -0400 If you sling a rifle behind your back, with muzzle up, should it ever point over your left shoulder? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My customer is buying an illustration of a modern-day US military troop facing the viewer, and saluting. <br /><br />ACROSS the troop&#39;s back, there is a slung M4. It&#39;s not just hanging by a strap off the shoulder; it is diagonal. <br /><br />My customer wants the muzzle to point up and to the left, because if it points to the right, the salute covers the muzzle. I suggested that this is incorrect. <br /><br />Technically, this illustration will likely be used for branding purposes for my client&#39;s startup company, and thus it may be seen by consumers in the military. So I feel it should be accurate. <br /><br />What do you say? MSgt Matthew Cates Mon, 19 Jul 2021 19:21:17 -0400 2021-07-19T19:21:17-04:00 Response by SSG William Jones made Jul 19 at 2021 7:35 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder?n=7119492&urlhash=7119492 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Not enough information. Is this trooper a courier carrying a Springfield during the Civil War? Is he guarding an ammo dump with a M-1 Garand? Does he have an M-16 slung on his person at a Firebase in Vietnam? Is he carrying an M-4 in Kandahar at TOC? SSG William Jones Mon, 19 Jul 2021 19:35:02 -0400 2021-07-19T19:35:02-04:00 Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 20 at 2021 12:40 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder?n=7120001&urlhash=7120001 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think it is irrelevant unless this is part of an instruction for new troops. It&#39;s just an illustration someone wants and they want to see the rifle muzzle in addition to the salute. SFC Marc W. Tue, 20 Jul 2021 00:40:42 -0400 2021-07-20T00:40:42-04:00 Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 20 at 2021 9:37 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder?n=7120511&urlhash=7120511 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Cross body sling arms is and has been taught and the orientation of the barrel can vary depending on the situation. I have attached formal training guidance from the Marine Corps training Command. There is no reason to overthink this. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/wtbn/MPMS/0300-M16-1004_Demonstrate_Weapons_Carries_LP.pdf?ver=2015-06-15-115140-450">https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/wtbn/MPMS/0300-M16-1004_Demonstrate_Weapons_Carries_LP.pdf?ver=2015-06-15-115140-450</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/wtbn/MPMS/0300-M16-1004_Demonstrate_Weapons_Carries_LP.pdf?ver=2015-06-15-115140-450">0300-M16-1004_Demonstrate_Weapons_Carries_LP.pdf</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description"></p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> SSgt Christophe Murphy Tue, 20 Jul 2021 09:37:35 -0400 2021-07-20T09:37:35-04:00 Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 10:25 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder?n=7120613&urlhash=7120613 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Personally, I&#39;m not a fan of the muzzle pointing up when slung diagonally over the shoulder. But, if the customer is wanting it that way as an image for their company, then it is what it is. If we are wanting to discuss accuracy and how it will potentially seen by current/past SMs, lets look at movies and television shows where they show military folk in garb that is all chewed up. That still doesn&#39;t stop us from watching them. MSG Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 20 Jul 2021 10:25:52 -0400 2021-07-20T10:25:52-04:00 Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 1:10 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder?n=7120930&urlhash=7120930 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Right shoulder, muzzle up, not cross the back. Left hand across chest, holding sling to salute. <br />Present arms . In formation, or parade. <br />Never saluted with m4 always carried it low ready. And don&#39;t salute in combat areas. <br />That was circa 1983. Except m4. That was 2013 SSG Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:10:52 -0400 2021-07-20T13:10:52-04:00 Response by SSG Dale London made Jul 20 at 2021 3:30 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-sling-a-rifle-behind-your-back-with-muzzle-up-should-it-ever-point-over-your-left-shoulder?n=7121255&urlhash=7121255 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The only time you should sling the rifle this way is in a tactical environment where saluting us a no-no. Thus, this situation should not arise IRL. That is to say, if you are where you may need to salute, it should be slung directly from the right shoulder, or held at port arms and you should either render the salute or present arms as you were taught in basic training. SSG Dale London Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:30:08 -0400 2021-07-20T15:30:08-04:00 2021-07-19T19:21:17-04:00