Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
The Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling in single-point configuration. (Travis Pike for TTAG)
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I love it when a company takes something simple and works to make it better. For example…slings. At its most basic, a sling is a strap that makes carrying your rifle (or shotgun) easier. It’s as simple as it gets, but in the last few decades, they’ve gotten better.

When I reviewed the Beretta PMXs, I did most of my shooting with the Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling strapped to the gun. I walked away, more than a little impressed by the sling’s design.

Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
The front paraclip of the Magpul MS3 sling locks with ease. (Travis Pike for TTAG)

The MS3 is a modern tactical two-point sling that attaches to the front and rear of the gun and provides a quick-adjust pull tab to tighten or loosen it at will. This makes it easy for you to run the sling for maximum mobility or to tighten it down for hands-free use.

Magpul uses a low-profile pull tab that makes it easy to adjust the sling on the fly. That polymer tab can’t catch on anything or get tangled.

Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
A single QD at the rear makes it easy to connect anywhere. (Travis Pike for TTAG)

The Magpul MS3 is 1.25 inches wide and up to 60 inches in overall length. The slider gives you ten inches of movement overall. There are several models of the MS3 with a few different attachments. This specific model is the single QD variant. The rear sling attachment is a single QD point, and the front is a clip that’s easy to attach to nearly anything.

Breaking Down The Magpul MS3 Sling

This type of sling is typically used for a rifle, so adapting it for use on a subgun meant shrinking it. I adjusted it down quite a bit and quickly found out how easy it was to adapt it for use on various-sized guns. You can do it easily and there are plenty of loops to keep the extra sling from flapping around and being a pain in the butt.

Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
Just pull or push to quickly shorten or lengthen the sling. (Travis Pike for TTAG)

The slider adjustment design makes it really easy to tighten things down and loosen them up. I’m used to the tab designs on slings like the Vickers model, but this polymer slider works extremely well. It moves with ease and offers more than enough material to grab and use.

Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
The tab slides smoothly. (Travis Pike for TTAG)

The front clip is called a Magpul Paraclip. It’s a polymer clip that can attach to most rings and swivels with ease. I attached it to the front loop of the PMXs with ease. The clip design even locks to prevent the clip from detaching. Just press a tab from one side to the other, much like a cross-bolt safety.

Converting the MS3

One of the more interesting features of this design is its ability to convert the two-point sling to a one-point sling. Detach the Paraclip from the front and attach it to the ring at the rear, and now you have a single-point sling. It’s quick and can be done easily. I was able to swap the MS3 from a two-point to a single-point on the range in just a couple of seconds.

Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
Clip it and go. (Travis Pike for TTAG)

I’m no longer carrying a gun for a living, but man, I wish I had this when I had to tote an M16A4. Being able to swap to a single point for working in and out of vehicles and to a two-point while on a foot patrol would have been outstanding. It’s super convenient in any situation where you need to go from a supportive, easy-to-wear sling to one where maximum mobility is what you need most.

Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
It worked well with the SAS technique when using the PMXs. (Travis Pike for TTAG)

I’m likely going to pout the MS3 sling on my competition PCC. I’ve had a few courses of fire with my two-point sling where I would have preferred a single point. Any course of fire involving me switching to my left shoulder would be much easier with a single point setup.

Like the SAS

On the PMXs subgun, I used it a lot like the SAS used their three points on their MP5s during the Iranian hostage situation. Create tension, press it outward, and you get good control of the gun. It works wonders and in the two-point mode, I even had a bit of consistent cheek support from the sling, which made looking through the optic a bit easier.

Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling
The Magpul MS3 sling can be up to 60 inches long, making it easy to use with or without armor. (Travis Pike for TTAG)

A little sling tension can work wonders and provides a good bit of support to any weapon. This is why my PCC wears a sling. I don’t need help toting it 30 feet to different stages, but I do like the support it provides to help stabilize my shots.

The Magpul MS3 Gen2 sling is one of many awesome modern tactical slings on the market. It’s a good, functional design made even more impressive by its modular capabilities. It’s a very solid (and affordable…about $48) option for a wide variety of rifles, shotguns, and even large format pistols.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. I have a bit of Mag-Pul gear. Never tried one of their slings, but I have three Vickers. They’re what J.D. carries. Don’t remember what the Vickers cost. I usually buy a couple of items at a time. Seems they were more expensive than the price quoted for the Mag-Pul. I’d like a chance to compare them side-by-side.

  2. I have a couple Magpul slings and will place this one in the maybe category. These days my interest is with Vickers.

  3. I can expect to use shortened Wolff replacement springs in metal ASC 308 Mags and some others but the Gen 3 polymer Magpul PMag 20s are gtg from the wrapper. If an AR .308 won’t run on those there is most likely a problem with the rifle. Downside they look weird and are too long. Like the PMag 20 performance I suspect the Magpul sling shown is a good one.

  4. Another upvote for Vickers. I had a single point sling before that, but I didn’t like it when my mid-length AR repeatedly slammed into my nether regions. I could see using a single point sling for a shorter weapon, but I’m more of a long range paper puncher than an operator operating operationally.

  5. Never tried the Vickers but friends of mine love them.
    All I run are Magpul slings and they work well.
    2 shotguns and a few ARs.
    Locally bought and it was Magpul or cheap junk.

  6. nother upvote for Vickers. I had a single point sling before that, but I didn’t like it when my mid-length AR repeatedly slammed into my nether regions. I could see using a single point sling for a shorter weapon, but I’m more of a long range paper puncher than an operator operating operationally.

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