Hand stop and cuff type sling ? Most I have seen have a short rail in the Forend for a Swivel / Stop . I am sure someone will come up with a valid explanation .

 

Using a sling in prone and sitting does not include having it attached to the butt. Having a sling attached to both ends, just means one is pulling against the other. You want the front sling swivel pulling the rifle down and toward your arm. You can find many good videos on both M1907 and M1 web sling use on YT (look for Konrad's channel, RIP).

The standard weight 40X is "OK" to shoot standing for three-position shooting, it's not grossly out of balance. But many were also probably modified with butt plates that allowed a standing hook too. Even if a sling is required to be attached to your rifle (such as current service rifle rules), the sling can not be used to enhance your hold, and smallbore has always been that way too, so it's not necessary to have one attached, hence no rear sling swivel. CMP Games GSMM matches do not require the use of the sling during standing .

 

My USGI 40X (2024 CMP purchase) has a rear sling swivel. I just checked my USGI (CMP) 52C has one as well.
These had many uses, mostly surrounding marksmanship and training, so position shooting as well as bench were possible. You can teach position sling shooting without the rear swivel. Shouldn't be hard to source one and add it. Like you said, adding a QD swivel is easy and not too intrusive. But any question, just leave it off, all you really need is the front one for shooting (unless you like the hasty sling).

52C

 

Your rifle was built for four position target shooting. Purpose-built target slings only attach to the front swivel. Here’s a picture:

 

Ah! Thank you all! I failed to do enough research to understand how those shooting slings worked and attached to the rifle. I've only been familiar with slings on my hunting rifles so far, and was picturing something along the lines of the hasty sling mentioned by zvenoman above. My rifle did come with the front hand stop in the short rail so I have everything I need aside from a proper sling.

Thank you for the help. I'll do some reading on which sling to purchase and the proper ways to adjust and use them. This will be a new type of shooting discipline for me to try. I've only shot from a bench or various unsupported shooting positions in the past.

Tucker

 

You can get as elaborate as you want with a sling for these.

Here is a good link for how a shootling sling is used.

A Marksman's Guide to the Shooting Sling - Everyday Marksman

The shooting sling is an often forgotten tool for improving your marksmanship. I want to talk about the shooting sling helps, and some ways to use it better

www.everydaymarksman.co

If you don't have much experience with shooting slings I would suggest starting with the basics:
1st ty a USGI M1 web sling, $15 or less, easy to find. Here's a random one on Amazon:

Amazon.com : AmmoGarand Green Web Sling M1 Garand US GI Pattern Two Point OD Cotton Made in USA : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : AmmoGarand Green Web Sling M1 Garand US GI Pattern Two Point OD Cotton Made in USA : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Next try a USGI M1907 leather sling. Don't buy a cheap one from Walmart, but don't let people tell you you "need" the $60-$200 ones. I buy mine from this guy, much better than average quality, buy his 2-fers and put them on all your fine rifles and USGI milsurps! I have 10 or so from Jim....

https://forums.thecmp.org/forum/marketplace/parts-for-sale-or-trade/other/3515957-many-m1907-sling-clones-premium-and-standard-even-can-do-fatigued/page2#post3621360

Finally, you can try the various match type slings (like in the picture in post #6) from Freemans, Creedmoor and those guys. They won't have any way to attach to the rear swivels (to be clear you do not need a rear swivel to shoot with the two I posted above). The work the same as the two I posted above, but are purpose made for the shooting use, not carrying. "Better"? for a casual shooter, meh; I'd start with the above first. You will have many options, and others can suggest them to you (I suggest trying some before buying). I use the M1 web mostly but most milsurp shooters prefer the 1907.

 

Below is a pic of my CZ sporter as I shoot it prone. You’ll notice it’s not attached at the rear, and honestly, for my purposes, could’ve assembled the sling using the front section only.

JMO, but if you’re not using a shooting jacket with sling hooks on the sleeve, I’d go with the standard 1907 National Match leather sling. Lots of good one out there. Mine happen to be from Turner Saddlery.

 

I appreciate all of the responses and suggestions. I did find a video by Konrad showing how to attach and use the 1907 and M1 slings. The web sling looks somewhat easier to use, but I'm sure the 1907 style is fine after a few trials. Good to know I don't need to spend a fortune. I had looked up a few higher end shooting specific slings and was thinking I'd have to spend more. I don't need top of the line, super adjustability. Just interested to dabble in shooting - especially prone, with a sling on this 40x.

Everyone here has me off to a good start. Thank you for the education!

 

One you figure out what position you want your front sling (as a hand stop, or not) then figure out what set of holes you want to use on your M1907 style, well then, you'll never have to guess again. M1907 slings can be put on, and stay tight, as you move around or get out of position. M1 slings honestly aren't any easier to figure out or adjust by yourself, you can mark them with a sharpie once you get your setting. BUT, they will always slacken up and loosen up everytime you take tension off them. Personally I can't stand using them. When we do our clinics I bring one of my own 1907 slings. All our club rifles have web slings on them, I replace them with my 1907 and I can help a student adjust that just as fast as the web sling, and it doesn't fall off their arm everytime they slacken. YMMV. Good luck, have fun!