Blue Force Gear UWL (Universal Wire Loop) Adapter
The Blue Force Gear UWL has come up in conversation here an on other boards in recent months, I had the oppertunity to check a couple out at a class last fall and recently received one for a project I was working on. So I figured I'd do a short review on it.
A year or so ago when Blue Force Gear first introducted their Universal Wire Loop (UWL) Adapter, the product didn't really catch my attention because most of my guns use rail mounted sling swivels.
I didn't see much utility for the UWL on the AR platform. I wrote the UWL off as a product that may be useful on AK's and other platforms that did not lend themselves to effectively mounting the numerous types of nylon slings currently avalible on the market.
I have overestimated the utility of a product in the past and I have underestimated the utility of a product in the past. This is another example of me underestimating the utility / usefulness of a product.
In September of 2008 I hosted Larry Vickers for a 2 day pistol / 2 day carbine course. During the carbine course a couple students were running the Blue Force Gear Universal Wire Loop on their guns. One shooter was using the UWL as both the front and rear sling attachment points on his carbine. Here's a couple pics of Denmark's set up from the Vickers Tactical Carbine Course:
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And the other student was using the UWL only on as the front sling attachment. Here's a pic of 1Source's set up from the Vickers Tactical Carbine Course:
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After looking at both of these students set up's, I wondered if they would have any issues with the UWL moving around / twisting / etc. during the carbine course. I saw no issues and talked with both guys and neither had any problems with the UWL.
Initial impression of the UWL at the range was that it was made of durable materials and it was a very simplistic and modular design.
I knew in the upcoming month I was going to be in the market for a side sling mount. Colt charges $50+ for their M4 side sling mount, and I have seen simular side sling mounts made by other companies that cost around $35. The Blue Force Gear UWL is under $20, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
I've had the UWL mounted on a gun for about a month now and have encountered no issues. I'm liking it better than I thought it would.
As men, we often over look the economical, simplistic, and effective solution to a problem.
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