By Norman Gray POMA Member
Arizona (Ammoland.com) – The humble rifle sling is one of the most valued, yet strangely enough, under used part of a rifle. Anyone who has ever served their country or just hunted this great land knows the value of a rifle sling. It is used in the act of shooting, transporting your rifle from place to place and allows you to use both hands while keeping your rifle close or transitioning to a handgun. In the worst of times it has served as a tourniquet and saved lives. But most of the time I find it’s left behind until the time its needed most and not available. Wise hunters and shooters carry their slings with them for times like this. But which sling to buy, one point, two point, three point, quick detach, sport, professional, educate yourself before you purchase, this will help make the wisest choice for your application. . . .
Many sites have videos on products they sell and you can learn a lot from people in the know, I highly encourage you watch them so you purchase what you want the first time, it will save you from playing mail man and a whole lot of aggravation.
I have embedded and series of videos from Brownells that helps make many of my points and provides better insight into pick the sling that is right for you.
(5) One-Point Tactical Rifle/Shotgun Airsoft Bungee Sling : Let’s start with the one point tactical sling, they are as simple as one could want. Simply place it over your head and/or shoulder and clip it to your attachment point on your black rifle and you’re in business. TIGER ROC INC. offers their One-Point Tactical Rifle Bungee Sling in Black ( http://tiny.cc/r0llvx ) .
The bungee portion allows your rifle to bounce while walking and offers a shock absorbing type effect. It’s made of a 64” adjustable 1.5” wide heavy duty nylon webbing that weights in a 3.5 oz and is easy on left or right handers. The simple swivel trigger snap is easily detached from the rifle and easily re-attached and is insanely affordable, at $4.99 & Free Shipping. Buy three or four as they are handy for shotguns and crossbows as well, you can’t go wrong.
(4) Blue Force Gear – AR-15/M16 Vickers Combat Sling : Two point slings are the tactical equivalent of a basic hunting sling except they do more things in some cases. Blue Force Gear – AR-15/M16 Vickers Combat Sling ( http://goo.gl/dYF8AD ) is a two point sling baptized in combat. Designed by Larry Vickers (Former Delta Operator) this sling is designed with hard use in mind utilizing steel and military grade polymers along with Cordura nylon. It allows for multiple adjustments with no loose ends to tangle in your gear and it works with all rifles using a 1 ¼” sling swivel. Soldiers don’t keep bad gear, it ends up on the side of the road, this sling is simple and effective; the way things should be.
(3) Spec-Ops SLING 101 3-POINT SLING for AR15 or M16 : Three point slings offer more bells and whistles but are a bit more complicated in their use. One such sling is from Spec-Ops Brand it’s their SLING 101 3-POINT SLING M16 ( http://tiny.cc/3holvx ) , this is for a full length rifle but they also have a sling for the M-4. It comes in black, coyote brown and foliage green and easily installs on bottom or side sling swivels. Other features include emergency quick release, carry backpack style, traverse strap keeps it out of the way of weapon mounted accessories and a speed lock feature to balance the weapon the way you want it.
It’s higher in price but it better grade gear so expect to pay a bit more.
(2) Bushnell’s Butler Creek – Comfort Stretch Sling : Shooting and hunting is addictive and a severe drain on funds so anything that can help stretch the budget is welcomed. Bushnell’s Butler Creek – Comfort Stretch Sling ( http://goo.gl/wV55qv ) is very functional and easy on the wallet offering two different models. Both models use waterproof webbing, closed cell neoprene shoulder pads with raised rubber dots on the backing to reduce slippage.
The stretchable backing on the pad behaves like a shock absorber reducing the jarring to your shoulder. The Alaskan model includes four loops for carrying extra rounds and both are budget friendly and great for your MSR (Modern Sporting Rifle).
(1) Brownells – Tactical Plus Rifle Sling :The simplest rifle sling is often the best and being time and battle tested makes it even better. Most are familiar with the leather sling that was used on the M-1 Garand in WW 2, today copies are far better using space age BioThane making it supple, easier to adjust and weather proof.
The new Brownells – Tactical Plus Rifle Sling ( http://goo.gl/4cMdtu ) is great for any rifle using mounts of 1 ¼” or less and comes in Black, brown and OD. It’s constructed with metal hooks attached with brass rivets and it can be used on almost any rifle, “Versatility Rules!” It’s not fancy or high tech, it just works every time and that’s why this sling is one of my favorites for a general purpose sling.
By no means is this the be-all end-all list of slings you can choose from. There are so many more choices, but whether you are a hunter, weekend warrior or a proud professional Soldier or Police Officer this quick guide will get you on the right track by identifying the most popular AR15 Rifle slings and sling types.
About Norman Gray:
Norman Gray has been involved in the shooting sports for well over 30 years. He has served in both active duty and reserve component of the United States Army as an Infantryman and was honorably discharged at the end of his service. Moving to Arizona, he began assisting his long time friend and mentor Bob Shell, an accomplished writer and author in his own right. Norman is freelance contributor with Handguns Magazine, Canadian Firearms Journal and Manzano Valley Outdoors. He is also a member of (POMA) The Professional Outdoor Media Association, the (NSSF) National Shooting Sports Foundation and a Life Member of the (NRA) National Rifle Association. Visit: http://www.unleaded-ink.blogspot.com/
No mention of a Two to One and back slings.
I’m surprised Specter Gear wasn’t mentioned at all. They make the best slings on the market AND are USA made. Win – win IMO
Good, #1 was correctly selected. Me being an Appleseed instructor, I’m glad to see that…
The Magpul MS3 and the Mission Spec Irene are both awesome 2 to 1 slings. The MS3 is much better built and easier to use and adjust though.
Magpul? VTAC?
Ummmmmm and savvy sniper sling? Especially with all qd and alg qd mounts. Hand down best sling on this planet
I’m with you there, Chris. I cradle my Hebrew Hammer with only the Savviest of Sniper slings.
That previous sentence sounds like a massive double entendre. “The ‘hammer’ is my penis.” -Captain Hammer
3 point slings? Those things can literally be dangerous to the person wearing them in some cases.
#thedangerisreal
Wow no SOE Gear? Major let down. Made in the Monday to Friday USA.
Would’ve liked a little more info about each sling. Seems a bit brief.
That said, I absolutely love my VCAS.
5 Best AR-15 SLINGS? This is an early April Fools Joke, right?
The writer being involved in shooting sports 30 years? I believe it.
A single point, 3 point, neoprene and Urethane sling walks into a bar is a bad joke, not an article. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves.
The VCAS is the only real option on the list. So Sad. So very, very sad. TTAG finally has become G&A.
I make my own slings these days.
No VTAC in order to make room for a gorram 3 point sling? What is this, amateur hour?
Captain Hammer and gorram in the same comment thread!?!? Makes my little browncoat heart happy 🙂
Good single points are ok in certain situations. The single point in this article is worthless though.
A good two point is by far the best option for most uses.
Don’t even get me started on the 80s nonsense that is three point slings.
I agree with you 99%. 3-point slings can be useful but it depends on the weapon–for guns with short OAL and a forward charging handle like most subguns and bullpups the 3-point is a bit of an advantage. Generally though, yeah, 3-points suck.
Viking Tactics padded FTW.
It’s comfortable and very functional. I can’t imagine beating it with anything else. I’m sure there are plenty of slings that are as good. But better? I doubt it.
Airsoft junk? Really?!? Cmon now…
Urban ERT
…
Here’s my favorite sling and you even get the word Tactical
included free in the description along with a Blackhawk label:
BlackHawk Universal Tactical Sling AR-15 Nylon Black
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/133312/blackhawk-universal-tactical-sling-ar-15-nylon-black?cm_vc=ProductFinding#ReviewHeader
The last time I bought these they were on sale for $6.99.
They’re still a very reasonable $8.99 and as an additional benefit
no instruction manual, or video is required for their use.
Simple and to the point.
These low cost, high quality slings will allow you more money
to waste on other things.
Read the many 5 star reviews of this item on the Midway USA site.
…
Does anyone have experience with this one:
http://www.tacticallink.com/AR15-M4-Convertible-Sling.html
Yes. I have the bungee version. It’s super super high quality – almost to the point of overkill. I guess it is 100 bucks though. The bungee is very tight. Doesn’t ‘bounce’, but still helps. You could probably tow a car with the damn thing. IMO, the only other sling companies in the same league are Specter Gear and Vickers.
I have one. I love it. lite weight. I have the Magpul too very good, but much heavier.
DO NOT use single point bungee slings for any sort of defensive weapon. They bounce around and hit your knees while walking, let alone running. Their only purpose is to retain a weapon that you intend to hold with both hands 99% of the time.
That’s what you have a problem with? Suck it up buttercup. The same thing could happen with any sling, get your mindset right and deal with it.
If your primary gun is slung it’s because something much more important is going on. Like you’re dragging someone or using a pistol. You won’t give a shit or even notice your knees. If it hits you in the knees it’s slung too low any way.
Big agreement here. The vtac and the Vickers are on my guns if I am walking for a while, hunting up and down the hills, basically if I’m with the rifle all day and it will be slung a bunch. But the single point is in if I am pig hunting, in and out of the truck, opening and closing gates, and generally have a hand on the gun.
The best sling in the market right now is the single point bungee sling from John Willis at Original Special Operations Equipment.
I’ve given up buying slings other people make. At least at my LGS. There is a huge profusion of types of slings and NONE of them even show you a frigging picture of what the sling will look like once put together. And there’s no instructions or guidance in the package. So I open the thing up and see a bunch of webbing odds and ends with hardware sewed in and I have no idea WTF to do with it. Then when I finally figure it out, it’s not anything I would have wanted anyway.
Steve- We live in the same world. The real world. I currently have a mess of slings and a bigger mess of guns. Working on a mess of attachment devices.Trying to get them to play together, things tend to get Rube Goldberg real quick, which won’t do.
There’s certainly no one sling for ARs, because that one sling won’t even attach to all – probably not even half – of the ARs out there. Every gun, every stock, has different needs in attachment, and nobody shows any concern for that? Further, the different methods are all expressed in acronyms which the uninitiated cannot decipher and are not themselves standard across the various user communities.
In the world of standard bolt action hunting rifles there is some uniformity. You buy a gun, buy a sling, and they’ll probably go together. Not so with ARs. A lot of ARs seem to be built with no concern for a sling. No attachment points or just one at one end, and often different attachment methods at each end! It would help if rifle manufacturers would include or suggest a sling for each model/hardware set they produce.
What I see now is an unholy mess. Explains why so many here seem to be making their own slings. You just about have to.
The VTAC and blue force adjustable are hard to beat.
Nobody regards single and three points highly anymore because of the various problems that they introduce.
That info while somewhat subjective I get from my friends who use or used when deployed. They can say what works and why. Then you decide on your needs.
One comment that had me laughing was, “there’s the traditional sling that soldiers have always used. It’s slung on your shoulder during the zombie apocalypse when you’re spending all day looking for a can of beans.”
Dude, you gotta get out more. No mention of Specter or Tactical Link?
Most of these are available on Ebay for less that $20 shipped….made in China…
WAIT! Where do you think the name brands get their stuff from?
I prefer a single point sling convertible to a 2 point….KISS [CHEAP!] method of retention…
What about Savvy Sniper slings? Magpul MS3?
Crap article!
IME anything with plastic hardware (Magpul MS3) is going to shear off when it comes into contact with metal
Def demand metal hardware. Especially with non-rounded sling mounts like GG&G
For aks I prefer the urban rush ert sling. For everything else I use I prefer a magpul 2 to 1 sling.
K.I.S.S. Nylon/neoprine comfort strech sling $7.67 made by Allen / Winchester at Walmart. Also I use the handy-dandy built in factory carry handle. I know it’s not cool but when you actually carry the rifle for 8-10+ miles in $hitty uphill,downhill,streams,marshes, mud, rocks, slick clay, rain, blinding brush terrain it works wonderfully.
I know, I know I’m talking that “reality” $hit again.
I thought this was going to be a piece about five slings.
What I saw was an article on four carrying straps and only one sling.
Am I the only one with bad luck with the Magpul MS3? The retention system basically fell apart after a couple months of usage making it useless plus it was uncomfortable as heck on me.
What bonehead wrote this? No mention of a VTAC sling? I question this man’s bona fides to write about the best slings for an AR.
Great article. I’m planning to buy a ASG Tactical Single Point Sling . I saw one on mach 1 airsoft website. Can anyone share reviews about this sling.
I’m seeing a lot of great info on slings with one screaming deficit – at least for me. Nobody is making clear how you ATTACH the sling to the rifle. Not where, not what kind, but HOW. Different rifles have a myriad of different attachment hardware, and some have none or, quite commonly, different types (!!) of attachment hardware at front and rear.
This situation seems unique to black rifles. Bolt actions pretty much all have the same sling stud (if that’s what it’s called – there’s a terminology deficit for sure. A rotating screw-in nub with about a 1/8″ hole thru it looking for a pin) and most non-AR slings have matching hardware (sling swivel?). My Sun Devil has a front stud – I ordered it – but the Rogers Superstock on the back of it has none. Certainly the AR world has not adopted the sling stud.
The AR sling has to have hardware to match the rifle, but matching hardware seems unknown in the AR world. Yet it seems presumed in the videos and literature. Variety is great, but with nothing standardized, at least terminology has to be standardized, and if it is I can’t find it. No one seems concerned with this? No one offers an explanation of the different types, or even standard terminology? What is “swivel stud,” “QD” (surely there different types of QD? Just called QD? “AI/HK hooks?” “Flush cups?” Magpul has a page with 22 different adaptors on it, none cheap, and I still don’t see how to mate some of my slings to any of my guns. https://www.magpul.com/products/slings-and-sling-mounts I have an assortment of slings and an assortment of rifles and some few are jury-rigged to work but most are just orphans.
Can anybody point me to a source of slings/ mounts that is clear on attachment hardware? So I can tell what I have and what I need? Thanks.
Thank you. That is exactly why I’m reading this now. I have no idea what type of sling to buy…. Still don’t. I just bought my first AR-15. Overwhelmed at options and accessories. Not at all sure how to attach it and where to attach near the front of the barrel.
Your posts is really helpful
I have used then all I have found the best to be the : Viking Tactics VTAC – Lightweight 2-Point Adjustable Bungee Sling.
Good sling is the must have for any firearm if you carry it for a long periods of time. But adding a sling to a home defense gun is a very controversial decision. I like Magpul slings but they are pretty expensive.