A gun sling is often associated with the aesthetics and comfort of carrying a gun. A good gun sling can also act as a life-saving tool in extreme situations.
Opinions about using slings are quite diverse among shooters, but having a sling helps for sure.
Here, weโll be talking about some good reasons you might want to get a sling for your rifle. Weโll also talk about and review some of the best AR-15 slings available on the market to help you make a buying decision.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for AR-15 Slings
- OUR TOP PICK: Armstac MX2 2 Point Battle Gun Shoulder Strap
- RUNNER-UP: Brownells Tactical Plus Rifle Sling
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Magpul Two Point MS1 Sling
Comparison of the Best AR-15 Slings
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick |
Armstac MX2 2 Point Battle Gun Shoulder Strap
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View Latest Price โ |
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Brownells Tactical Plus Rifle Sling
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View Latest Price โ |
Best Budget Option |
Magpul Two Point MS1 Sling
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View Latest Price โ |
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STI Two Point Rifle Sling
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View Latest Price โ |
What to Look For in a Sling
There are quite a few factors you might want to consider before buying a sling for your AR-15. Your individual needs are always a priority, but you still have to keep some basic important things in mind before buying a sling.
Padding
Padding refers to the fluffiness of the sling. Some slings are simple leather or nylon straps, whereas other slings have been ergonomically padded with lumps of cotton or polymer to offer better comfort. Carrying an eight-pound rifle through the forest is a tedious task, especially in summers. If you are worried about getting a bruised shoulder, you might want to buy a padded sling.
Slings are generally available in nylon and leather variants. Some people prefer the feel of one over the other, but it’s entirely a matter of personal choice.
Length
Most slings these days offer adjustable straps. However, you should always check and find a length you are comfortable with. Taller people tend to like longer slings, so make sure your sling can extend up to your desired length.
Moreover, length is always helpful in transitioning so the sling doesnโt hook up with your neck or underarm causing problems. Always go for a longer sling if you canโt decide because it will have a larger adjustable length.
Durability
One very important factor to notice is the durability of a rifle sling. Of course, it should hold up to the weight of the rifle and the jostling it will experience as you move. But a sling will also take part of the recoil when you shoot, so always check the quality of the sling attachment clips, attachment straps, and buckles. Try to aim for metal components instead of simple plastic ones.
Individual Preference
There are quite a few different types of slings available on the market. Each offers a different level of comfort but ultimately, it’s about your own preference. From three-gun competitions to hunting and sniping, different types of slings serve different purposes.
Review of the Best AR-15 Slings
Letโs have a look at the some of the top slings available to carry your AR-15. Youโll find most of our recommendations are for two-point slings because these generally offer the most comfort and utility.
Best Overall:Armstac MX2 2-Point Battle Gun Shoulder Strap
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Pros
- Easy to hook and unhook
- Super-sturdy and durable
- Affordable for most budgets
- Can hold heavier AR-15 rifles like nothing
- Measured at the perfect length for most users
Cons
- May not fit on some sling swivels
- Hooks may not fit well on a standard AR rifle
- It still has a bit of slack if used by someone tall
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers were quite satisfied with the strap, in particular. They were able to add this onto their favorite AR-15 rifle in a matter of a minute. Once equipped, they were able to carry their rifles with ease without the sling breaking or falling apart.
Why it Stands Out to Usย
The sling is made from high-quality nylon material. Itโs proven to be sturdy and durable while handling weights up to 250 pounds. For a strap that heavy-duty, you know it will go perfect with almost any heavy-hitting rifle. On top of that, the quality is pretty good overall. While itโs on the market for an affordable price, it doesnโt feel cheap or fall apart easily.
The Armstac MX2 2-Point Sling is probably the most feature-packed sling in this list. The heavy-duty nylon strap can handle up to 250 lbs of weight. The sling is adjustable, with different mount optionsย and easy release clasps.
The nylon stock adapter can be wrapped around a rifleโs butt stock in case no sling points are available. The sling can be easily converted from two-point to one-point and is extremely useful for shorter shooting sessions where a lot of transition is involved. The sling is heavy-duty and the price is quite impressive.
Who Will Use This Mostย
This will make a great sling for those who want to go hunting with their AR-15 rifles but at the same time, donโt want to carry their rifles all day as they move around. This strap will be the best possible option if they want something comfortable for all-day use.
Bottom Line
The Armstac MX2 2-Point Battle Gun Shoulder Strap is probably your best option if you want a strap that is easy to add onto your rifle and easy to handle with heavy-duty rifles. If you want something tough and wonโt wear and tear easily, this could be the sling for you.
Runner-up:Brownells Tactical Plus Rifle Sling
Pros
- Easy to add to most swivels
- Strong enough to handle heavy rifles
- It improves off-hand stability considerably
- Easily adjustable, can fit most body sizes
- Super-durable, can resist even the worst weather conditions
Cons
- May need to be trimmed down a bit
- May snag at times
- It may not be great for competition applications
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, a lot of new users were impressed with the sling. They were able to use this for their AR-15 rifles year-round in even some of the roughest weather conditions. One user said the was using this during the winter months while hunting for coyotes. He said the strap stays sturdy and doesnโt crack or stiffen up in really cold temperatures. Others have reported this easily adjusts to fit their size.
Why it Stands Out to Usย
The strap is made from high-quality nylon and has a urethane-coated layer to ensure the strapโs longevity and resistance to all kinds of weather elements. Not to mention, it can do quite well in the outdoors as a hunting sling. Itโs comfortable to wear and will allow you to carry your rifle hands-free for a longer period.
The Tactical Plus Rifle Sling is a urethane-coated, nylon, 2-point sling which features the standard 1907 military sling design. The urethane coating makes the sling flexible like leather while also imparting strength and making it resistant to water and high temperatures.
The adjustable 1-ยผ-inch wide strap offers a nice padded feel. The hooks and steel rings are hardened and parkerized for extra strength and corrosion resistance. The sling is perfect for hunting, as it offers amazing strength and comfort to the shooter.
Who Will Use This Mostย
This will likely be a great sling for hunters. Whether youโre hunting for varmint in the summer, deer in the fall, or coyotes in the winter, this will be the sling to have on-hand if you want something sturdy, adjustable, and comfortable. You can expect this puppy to last you a few good years or more.
Bottom Line
The Brownells Tactical Plus Rifle Sling might be exactly what you need if you want a sling that will be your best hunting buddy if youโre planning on walking around all day. If you want something comfortable which will allow for the best hands-free carrying of your rifle, a sling like this will do you some good.
Best for the Money:Magpul Two-Point MS1 Sling
[amazon fields=”B00JAI14FI” image=”1″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_link=”none”]
Pros
- Fits on most sling swivels
- Great for various purposes
- Great for even heavyset shooters
- Excellent fit for even tall shooters
- Super sturdy straps are easily adjustable, as well
Cons
- May tangle up at times
- May loosen up over time
- May not be ideal for shooters of shorter heights
What Recent Buyers Report
This sling was a hit with new buyers. They were able to attach this onto most AR-15 rifles with ease and carry it around for all-day use while out hunting. One user said he was able to wear his rifle on his shoulders for nearly a few hours as he was out and about in the woods hunting for deer. He said despite having no padding, it was still a comfortable fit for him.
Why it Stands Out to Usย
This strap is made from high-quality nylon that doesnโt tear or fray and itโs adjustable enough to help accommodate various sizes. So, if youโre a bit on the tall and skinny side or a bit heavyset, thereโs an adjustment that will fit you perfectly. It will fit most AR-15 rifles with ease and will be great for almost any application other than hunting (i.e.–target shooting or competitive shooting).
The Magpul MS1 is a two-point sling with a width of 1.25 inches and length of 48-60 inches. The sling is manufactured from nylon and features polymer buckles for adjustment. The material is super-soft and comfortable, allowing you to use it for longer stretches of time.
The sling is long enough to be used in an arm-loop configuration. The quick adjustment slide is very easy and quick to use. Moreover, the sling doesnโt have any loose ends to tangle with any other gear. The sling is available in multiple colors and offers a fair return for your money.
Who Will Use This Mostย
This will make a great sling for multiple purposes. Whether itโs for hunting, target shooting, or competitive shooting, this might be exactly what youโre looking for to help alleviate the issue of carrying your AR-15 rifle all-day long. If thatโs what you want out of a sling, this could be one to consider.
Bottom Line
The Magpul Two-Point Sling might be your kind of sling for an AR-15 rifle if you want something minimal in design, but comfortable for long-time use. Just adjust this to your ideal size and youโll have a sling that wonโt let you down in any given application.
4. STI Two-Point Rifle Sling
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Pros
- Affordable for most budgets
- Attaches to most AR-15 rifles
- Comfortable to wear for long-time use
- Super-durable, doesnโt tear or fray easily
- Easily adjustable. and can fit most body types
Cons
- May tangle at times
- Tightening the strap may be a challenge at first
- Might have some slack even after the adjustments
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers were impressed with the sling. Itโs simple to add onto AR-15 rifles. Plus, it was a comfortable fit for most applications. One user said he uses his AR-15 for many applications, but never leaves this sling behind. He also mentioned it was adjustable to perfectly fit his size, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Usย
This is a simple two-point sling that can easily attach from one end to another. Itโs nothing too complicated and itโs got the ability to adjust up to 55 inches long. So it can accommodate a wide variety of shooters and also different sizes. Regardless, you still get a pretty good fit.
The STI Two-Point Rifle Sling features a premium nylon tube-woven webbing with heavy stitching which makes the sling durable and sturdy enough to resist recoil and weight impacts. The high-impact polymer sling buckle helps you adjust the length and keep it in place.
The adjustable size ranges between 30 to 55 inches, which is a good length. The sling has a good price-point and is good enough to be used for hunting, competitions, and even practice. The wide strap design resists tangling and the sling works with all 1.25-inch hardware.
Who Will Use This Mostย
This will probably serve as a really good beginnerโs sling for those starting with an AR-15. If you want something that’s easy to use and easy to adjust, and are a complete newbie at using AR-15 rifles, this could be exactly what youโre looking for. Donโt be surprised if itโs something that will give you a few years of faithful and reliable service
Bottom Line
The STI Rifle Sling is simple, adjustable, and can fit almost any shooter size. Be sure to use this for all the right applications so you have a comfortable sling to use while youโre carrying around your rifle. It will come in handy in some much-needed situations (like needing to drag your freshly killed big game target back to the truck).
5. Paracord Survival Two-Point Gun/Rifle Sling
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This two-point sling features a 550-pound authentic commercial paracord which can be extended to a 25-foot long cord. The sling features rot-resistant synthetic cotton material, which is resistant to water and high temperatures.
Each sling has a plastic tri-glide to attach it to one-inch or 1.25-inch wide swivel studs. The center of the strap features an extra-wide tri-glide for quick and convenient adjustment. The sling also has a woven paracord shoulder which is about 15-ยฝ inches long and ยฝ-inch thick.
The paracord has been woven over two layers of canvas and one layer of foam, providing a thick padding for your shoulders. The paracord makes it quite helpful in survival situations. Taking a look at its price and features, this paracord sling is among the fairest deals available on the market.
Carrying Your Gun Comfortably
A sling is always useful for carrying your weapon over long hunting trips and treks. No doubt a sling helps with that, but it also complements the aesthetics and accuracy (more on that accuracy part later) of your rifle.
Since their inception, AR-15 rifles have featured aย robust carrying handle on the top. Carrying handles might seem good but they are actually not that comfortable. Itโs like holding a jerry can filled with eight pounds of metal. It might be good for local shifting but not for treks, combat situations, or hunting trips. Moreover, youโll end up having bruised and fatigued fingers, which is not so good for shooting.
Using a sling transfers all this weight to your back, which is more suited to bearing weights for prolonged durations (thatโs why we have backpacks and not palm packs). A sling lets you hang your rifle from your shoulder and keep your hands free while you move. Obviously, this lets you do more things at a time likeย holding flashlights, a compass, maps, or anything else. This capability is important for soldiers in a combat situation, where one has to use and move a lot of things simultaneously without losing their weapon.
A sling also helps in preventing your palms and fingers from becoming fatigued, so you always have the energy and reflexes to take a shot. A sling also lets a person quickly transition from their primary rifle to a secondary weapon without just throwing away the rifle.
A sling is also helpful in improving your accuracy. You can use the sling to create tension. It works almost like having a bench rest while you take long distance shots or change your stance. There are several types of slings fit for this purpose and weโll be talking about them later.
Another very creative, or letโs say innovative, aspect of a sling is its use as a life-saving tool in extreme situations. AR-15 slings can be used to create a tourniquet to treat wounds. It can also be used as a rope for tying knots in a shelter, tying up chunks of wood, or creating a snare (if your target is small and you donโt want to create noise) in survival situations. Several paracord-type slings are also available on the market, which can be used to create extensive ropes.
Types of Slings
There are several different types of slings available on the market. Each offers a different level of comfort and serves a different purpose. Choosing the right sling will help keep you comfortable, enable you to easily switch weapons, hold your stance, and even improve your accuracy.
1-Point
A one-point sling, as the name suggests, offers a single point of connection to the rifle. This type of sling can be attached to the stock through a swivel stud or bolt and acts like a lanyard around your neck. A single point sling makes dropping and picking up your weapon very simple. The rifle will always remain in front of you and you donโt have to worry about it moving sideways if you donโt want to. So it allows you to switch between your weapons easily and quickly.
One-point slings have their own drawbacks and are not really useful for novice shooters. With a one-point sling, your weapon will sway a lot and can event cause an injury to your knee or groin area if handled carelessly. In addition, youโll always have to place one hand on your weapon to prevent it from swaying.
2-Point
The two-point sling is the old-fashioned sling weโve seen for decades. It is attached with two connection points of your rifle – one below the barrel and other on the stock. Two-point slings can be used using the American Carry (slung over back of the shoulder with muzzle up), European Carry (slung over the front of the shoulder with muzzle up), or African Carry (slung over the back of the shoulder with muzzle down).
Each of these carry styles has their own benefits when taking stance. Two-point slings can be used to improve accuracy by using your non-dominant arm to create tension in the sling to hold your rifle firmly. This is also known as the “hasty-sling” method. On the contrary, two-point slings are a bit difficult when it comes to transitioning sides.
3-Point
The three-point slings are an extension of two-point slings featuring a quick-release adjustable buckle over the strap. The sling is attached to the fore and rear end of the rifle as usual, but the buckle in the middle of the strap makes the transition from a rifle to a sidearm easier. Moreover, with three-point slings, your AR-15 will not dwindle and hit you every now and then in your groin or knee. Frankly speaking, the three-point sling combines the capability of one-point and two-point slings. However, on the contrary, some shooters complain the slings get caught on bolt-release mechanism.
Ching Sling
The Ching Sling is a shooting sling to assist you with achieving a firm stance for long-range shots. The sling is similar to a two-point sling, with a third bolt attached to the gunโs center stud. This forms a loop in the front part of the sling. You can pass your supporting arm through this loop to steady your aim and take a shot. Ching slings are quite useful when shooting your rifle in the sitting or kneeling stance.
Cuff sling
A cuff sling, as the name suggests, features an arm-cuff loop in a two-point sling design. This arm cuff is especially helpful for sharpshooters who need accurate long-distance shots. These slings eliminate the need to use a bipod and prove to be quite helpful during tedious hunting sessions where people usually avoid carrying a lot of gear.
Conclusion
A sling is not only an aesthetic piece to the rifle. It lets a shooter make quick transitions, walk long distances comfortably with their rifle, and even serves as survival gear in extreme situations. A sling, whatever type you choose, should be durable, long enough to make adjustments, and must suit your individual preferences.
