At a Glance: Best AR 15 slings
- OUR TOP PICK: Blue Force Gear Vickers AR-15/M16 Combat Application Sling
- OUR TOP PICK: Magpul MS1 Two-Point Quick-Adjust Padded Sling
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: CVLIFE Two Points Rifle Sling
Comparison of The Best AR-15 Slings on the Market
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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Our Top Pick
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Blue Force Gear Vickers AR-15/M16 Combat Application Sling |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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Magpul MS1 Two-Point Quick-Adjust Padded Sling |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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CVLIFE Two Points Rifle Sling |
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View Latest Price |
One of the most essential accessories for carrying your rifle is a sling. It might appear like a trivial detail on an AR-15, but it’s far from it. It’s vital as it provides you with adequate comfort while carrying a rather bulky weapon.
Best AR-15 Sling Available Today
The AR-15 is a very effective rifle made of space age materials. It has next to no recoil and it is unbelievably customizable. Shooters immediately fall in love with this monster when we lay our eyes on it. However, when you’re not busy raining fire on your enemy or prey, AR-15s are not exactly fun to carry around. A black rifle can get heavy, especially if you have it Gucci’d out with accessories. Because of this, it’s important to purchase the right sling for your gun.
The market is full of rifle slings, making the process of finding the most dependable, affordable, and comfortable sling extremely tough. Fortunately for you, we went and did the work for you. Below are some of the best AR-15 rifles slings on the market.
Blue Force Gear AR-15/M16 Vickers Combat Application Sling
This Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications sling is the ideal accessory for keeping your rifle ready for action. The sling features a two point sling design and allows for easy and fast length adjustments, without creating unnecessary tangling that could block your draw. The sling is also made out of durable and strong material, a combination of two lengths of Cordula nylon webbing joined together by a dependable steel loop.
Having been used in all units of the U.S, military, this sling is thoroughly combat proven. The Blue Force Gear Vickers sling was designed by the revered firearms expert, Larry Vickers. It is available in two colors, black and tan coyote. While the sling is arguably the most adaptive one on the market, it does get tough to wear it continuously on very long periods of use. Nevertheless, if you don’t plan on carrying your AR-15 in the sling constantly, then you won’t experience any problems with this.
This sling’s dependability and quality are top-notch. Its price reflects this, it’s slightly in the more expensive range. This option is a great example of versatility and strength and I think it is worth its price.
Pros
- Made from durable material
- Impressively versatile
- Gives easy and fast length adjustments
- Great design
Cons
- It’s an expensive option
Magpul MS1 Two Point Sling Quick-Adjust Padded
This Magpul sling is one that provides great flexibility, minimal risk of tangling, and is affordable for most shooters. This Two Point Sling is a truly reliable choice. It’s constructed from a strong polymer and 1.25-inch wide nylon webbing that is resistant to wear even after long periods of use. The sling comes in two different colors, including classic black and tan.
With its two-point design, this sling allows you to easily adjust the length, and maintain an easy carry position for longer. One of the few added benefits of this sling is that with a few optional adapters, you can adjust it to become a one-point sling. This gives you greater flexibility and easy access to your AR-15 in tactical situations. Shifting between guns and readying for shooting with this sling is, therefore, flawless. Nonetheless, the adapters can only be purchased separately, but you can use your sling as a two-point before purchasing the one-point adapter.
The sling is relatively inexpensive given the quality it offers. Furthermore, it has been through a horde of durability tests to prove its reliability, making it one of the best AR-15 slings on the market.
Pros
- Provides a high level of comfort even after long periods of use
- It allows switching into a single-point sling with the use of an adapter
- A durable and reliable choice
- Great flexibility and minimal risk of tangling
Cons
- Length adjustments are limited
CVLIFE Two Point Sling
This is an outstanding Two Point Sling with a steel snap hook attachment system. Given the price, the quality and features are truly impressive. You get a Two Point Sling made of top-quality nylon with extra-large and easy to attach steel snap hooks.
There is a thumb loop for instinctive adjustment on the fly. You adjust the cord within the webbing, so there are no loose tails to get in the way while you are maneuvering with your AR-15.
The width of this sling is a very comfortable inch and a half. The maximum length is about 61 inches. Each clasp has an attachment point for the other clasp, which allows you to convert this model into a one-point sling. However you wear it, this is a well-proven and durable sling that will last a lifetime of rugged use.
CVLife is one of those companies that don’t get a lot of press but go the extra mile with their designs and construction quality. This sling is great for hunting, competition shooting, or tactical work. You can jest get one or order two at a discounted price. They come in two colors, black and sand.
Pros
- Great quality and design
- extra-large snap hooks
- Can convert to a single-point sling
- Fantastic price
- No loose ends to impede your handling
Cons
- Over-engineered
Brownell’s AR-15 or M16 one-point sling kit
If it’s a top-quality sling you need and you’re not concerned about the cost, then this sling from Brownells is the perfect option for you. This is an easy clip-on sling that does not require any adjustments to your rifle, yet still provides excellent versatility and speed. Installation involves removing the stock, slipping the adapter over the receiver extension, and replacing the buttstock. That’s it, ready for action.
Concealing a high-density bungee inside 1.25″-wide strong and durable nylon webbing, the sling provides the shooter with a maximum of 4″ of flex. The weather-resistant nylon casing is also made for noise reduction. All the movable parts of the sling, such as the quick-release clip, are made of elastic sleeves to avoid rattling when in combat mode.
This model falls in the pricier trier of the AR-15 sling market. If you are ready to spend the extra bucks, this Brownells single-point sling will reward you with its durability, high-quality, easy installation, noise reduction, and comfortable adjustability.
Pros
- It features a noise reduction design
- It is easily adjustable and comfortable even after long periods
- Made from strong and durable materials
Cons
- It’s quite pricey
- The 44″ maximum length adjustment might not be enough for the bigger guys out there
Viking Tactics wide padded sling
This two-point sling features an innovative, upgraded wide pad design that makes it one of the most popular slings on the market. It is also one of the most preferred slings among US troops.
It is designed to offer the shooter a durable and adaptable, yet lightweight rifle sling for tactical use. For ardent AR-15 users, this wide padded sling is probably the best option on the market as it’s super strong yet light and adaptable.
While most people may misconstrue this sling’s light feel for compromised strength, it provides more than enough support for your AR-15. Furthermore, it features a rubber-textured pull tab that allows you to quickly and easily adjust the length. To top it all off, the sling features elastic stow bands as well as metal buckles to allow easy and silent mounting and adjustment.
While the sling’s padding is not overly thick, it is pretty effective. The extra length of the Viking Tactics wide padded section favors shooters who are wearing armor or generally have a larger build. However, if not, you can easily tape off the excess.
The Viking Tactics sling is one of the more reasonably priced options on our list. Combined with the sling’s high-quality build, adaptability, and easy length adjustment and mounting, this is undoubtedly one of the best AR-15 slings.
Pros
- Perfect for shooters with a larger build and those wearing armor due to the elongated padding length
- Easy to use quick detach feature
- Strong and durable build
- Great value for money
Cons
- The long sling might be a problem for people with smaller builds or those not wearing armor
S2Delta USA Made Premium 2 Point Rifle Sling
With a well-sized 2-inch wide shoulder strap, the S2Delta is a 2 point rifle sling that is great at distributing your rifle’s weight for maximum comfort. It’s effective and comfortable even without bulky padding.
One of the biggest assets of using this 2 point rifle sling is that it provides you with minimal interference when you reach for your rifle. It also allows you to make swift, one-handed adjustments on sling length.
The manufacturer includes one modular connection. You can purchase other modular connections separately. For those with multiple guns, basically everybody in post-COVID America, additional connectors improve convenience. Moreover, you can easily and quickly switch the sling’s modular connector to attach it to a different weapon.
You get a variety of options to attach the nylon strap connection. You will find a C.L.A.S.H (Conventional Latch Attachment Snap Hook), and a push-button swivel for easier adjustment and comfort when carrying your rifle.
This sling provides a durable yet lightweight option with a quality design and build. It is easily one of the best AR-15 slings available on the market. However, it is not without flaws as there are limits in how far you can shorten the length of the sling.
Pros
- Great quality and design
- Wide shoulder strap
- Minimal interface for quick and easy adjustments
- It allows additional connectors for use with multiple guns
Cons
- You are limited in how much you can shorten the length
Accmor 2 Point Sling Traditional Sling
This Accmor 2 point rifle sling is similar to the CVLife model reviewed above. Both have zinc alloy snap hooks to attach to your rifle and internal bungees without any loose ends for you to trip over when maneuvering your AR-15.
This one is a bit more expensive and comes in black, green, or khaki. As usual, it is made from highly durable nylon webbing that is also very light. The material is advertised as resistant to wear, ageing and corrosion. The buckles are made from a high-impact polymer. The sling adjusts out to 79 inches, you can consider it a ‘one size fits most’ option, we’d be very surprised if that’s not enough length for you.
Given the features and price point, this is a very hard sling to beat. It’s always great to have something that does the job perfectly with utter reliability, but that you don’t feel that you need to baby due to the investment you made. This is a fantastic bug-out, zombie apocalypse option. It will work with any AR-15 rifles or other long guns.
Pros
- Outstanding design
- Very reliable
- metal snap hooks
- extra-long maximum length
Cons
- May suffer availability issues
Blucollar Tactical 2 Point Rifle Sling Patriot Model
This is another popular 2 point sling that’s well worth classifying among the most flexible and easily adjustable AR-15 sling designs on the market. It is created from 1.25 inches of flat tube sheathing that provides durable service even for the most hardcore shooter.
This sling is designed to fit just about every shooter’s frame. The sling is adjustable from 70 inches down to as tight as you need.
This sling wasn’t manufactured with any frills or gimmicks. Instead, the sling is purposely designed to be simple and dependable. The sling is 100% designed and manufactured in the USA. All its components, including the packaging, are sourced and assembled in the U.S.
What’s more, the manufacturer provides a lifetime guarantee for this sling, giving you peace of mind. If it fails in any way, it will be replaced or fixed.
Pros
- Wide adjustment range
- A simple and efficient design
- Promises zero slippage
- Backed by the manufacturer with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- A bit slow to adjust
STI 2 Point Rifle Sling
This is one of the finest hunting slings for your AR-15. Revered as one of the top two point slings on the market, the STI two-point rifle sling is constructed from premium, sturdy nylon sheathing.
The sling is not only extremely resistant to any wear and tear but it’s also chafe-resistant. The high-quality nylon sheathing will pass almost any pull or tear resistance tests it is put through. According to its manufacturer, it can withstand a force of up to 4,000 pounds.
The high-quality tube webbing design used to create the STI 2 point rifle sling allows you to carry your rifle across your back while switching hands in an instant. That allows you to adapt to a shooting stance in no time. With its impressively fast adjustment capability, you can quickly and easily make adjustments on the fly without having to detach the sling from your rifle.
The sling works with any 1.25-inch attachment hardware. It allows length adjustments of 55+ inches.
Pros
- Exceptional for hunting and close encounter combat purposes
- Allows easy and quick adjustments on the move
- Very reliable and durable high-quality nylon sheathing
- Chafe-resistant
- Backed by the manufacturer with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Some bigger guys might have an issue with the 55″ adjustment allowance
Specter Gear close quarters combat sling
As its name suggests, this sling is designed for close quarter combat (CQB). Constructed using heavy-duty nylon sheathing, it has a width of 1.25 inches and is available in a variety of lengths and tactical styles. This Specter Gear sling is designed for rifles as well as shotguns with 1″ or 1.25″ side sling mounts.<
Users find the sling durable thanks to its double-stitch design with #69 thread at all its stress points. Moreover, the sling’s heavy-duty material is complemented by its polycarbonate keepers and clasps. The keepers and clasps are designed to hold the rifle in a comfortable yet efficient position for instant use.
The sling provides six different carry positions which are all configurable for ambidextrous use. As a result, the sling boasts flexibility which allows you to free your hands with the confidence for a swift and efficient switch between shooting positions.
Moreover, the sling is made of flexible material that makes no clicking noises when adjusting or clipping it onto the rifle, giving you a comfortable, silent, and ready-to-pounce experience.
Pros
- Designed for close-quarter situations
- Double-stitch design for durability
- offers six carry positions
- It is made of flexible noise-reducing materials
Cons
- Unique design not to every shooters’ taste
How to Choose the Best AR-15 Sling
Choosing a sling for your rifle might seem like a simple task but there are a few factors you should consider. In some rifle shooting instances, your rifle sling will play an important role in improving your accuracy.
Here are some of the factors you should consider when selecting the best AR-15 sling for you.
AR Sling Material
The rifle sling has come a long way. The first M16s issued by the US military came with slings made of cotton webbing, which, at the time, was a futuristic lightweight option.
Wear, stink, and water weight quickly proved that this was not the best option. Some people still like to go with a classic leather option to get that biker gang street cred, but basically, everyone else realizes that there isn’t much competition to a nylon webbing sling in terms of reliability. There are some variations and nylon webbing comes in a few varieties, like flat vs. tube. Some are more grippy and stiffer than others. The AR-15 broke ground with its extensive use of space age polymers, so a nylon string is the perfect, most practical accompaniment.
It’s essential to consider the materials used in creating a sling’s strap since they either make it more or less comfortable to carry your rifle, as well as to use it. The material used in creating a sling also influences its flexibility and durability.
Nylon Webbing
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- Since nylon is practically resistant to nature’s hazardous elements, it is one of the most prevalent choices for creating slings.
- Nylon can withstand any condition from the heat of the glaring sun to the freezing North Pole without any hassles.
- Nylon is also sturdy enough to carry your rifle and withstand constant movement.
- While you will find the nylon presented as a woven strip or as a tubular strip, the latter seems to be more durable.
Paracord
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- Paracord is a very sturdy material initially used in creating parachute suspension lines. However, they have been used for special training courses and survival situations for decades now.
- This highly versatile material is used by some manufacturers to create high-quality rifle slings.
- Slings constructed from the Paracord material are often in the pricier section of the AR-15 sling market.
Comfort and Padding
The availability or unavailability of padding on a rifle sling can make it significantly more or less comfortable to carry or use your rifle. While this is true, most manufacturers do not include padding for their slings. However, to make the sling more comfortable, most of them increase the strap’s width.
There is little to no chance that your sling’s padding will affect your aiming or shooting. Most manufacturers use impermeable materials to make sure the pad does not rot over time or gain weight by getting wet.
Length of Sling
Sling length is an important feature to consider.
- If the sling is too long, you’ll struggle to adjust it properly, and the rifle will wobble at your side.
- If the sling is too short, you have difficulty finding a proper fit around your shoulders, and it will make the transition between the resting and firing positions much harder.
- Measuring the width of your torso is a good way to ensure the rifle sling you’re buying has the necessary length to fit you. Depending on how you prefer to wear the sling, you’ll either measure the width of your back cross-shoulder or over a single shoulder.
Sling Mounts and Attachment Systems
There are various mounts and attachment systems available to help you set up your new AR-15 sling. These can be either a standard ring or clip style or a quick detach style.
Quick Detach (QD)
A quick-detach (QD) mount essentially ‘plugs in’ to the female mount that is on the rifle and can swivel 360 degrees. It plus in easily and can be taken off with the simple push of the button.
A quick detach mount makes your sling super easy to operate one-handed or on the move.
Here are the Best AR-15 One & Two-Point Sling Mounts Reviewed
Standard Mounts
Standard mounts include:
- Fixed Loops
- Swivel Loops
- End Plate loops
- Clips
Standard mounts have a much more basic design than the high tech quick-detach gadgets. Their simple design allows them to be attached to anything including the rail or trigger guard. They are also a lighter and cheaper option. However, they do lack in rotation and flexibility, and they don’t attach or detach as quickly.
Types of AR15 Slings
There are two primary types of rifle slings.
- Single point slings – connects to your rifle at only one spot
- Two point slings – connects with your rifle at two different spots.
Each type has its merits and faults listed below.
Single Point Sling
As the name suggests, this type of sling has only one attachment point to your rifle.
Single point slings can be worn over the shoulder, but experts recommend wearing it across the chest so that the rifle’s weight is evenly distributed over a large surface of your body. This reduces discomfort while carrying the rifle around and when firing rounds at your target.
- One of the biggest advantages of single-point slings is that they keep the rifle in a “ready-for-action” position. You can get into the position to shoot in a jiffy, which is especially essential during combat shooting.
- The biggest disadvantage associated with the use of single-point slings is that your rifle may wobble while walking.
- Additionally, while the rifle is easily available to you when the sling is worn around the chest, it tends to hit the belly and chest regions constantly when walking, which can be annoying.
- If the sling is worn across the shoulder, your rifle can reach your knees and obstruct with your walking.
- The wobble problem can easily be solved by either wearing a cuff on your tactical belt to keep the rifle at your side and restrict its movement or by fastening the sling thigh across your chest so your rifle does not have enough room to wobble.
Two-Point Slings
The two-point slings enjoys more popularity in the market and consequently, its design is used by more sling manufacturers. Therefore you’re bound to encounter a lot of two point slings in your search for the appropriate rifle sling.
- Its design allows you to attach the sling at two different points to your rifle.
- You can wear the sling across your chest or over your shoulder, depending on your preferred shooting position.
- When wearing the sling over your non-dominant hand shoulder, your rifle will always be in a “low ready” position for a quick and easy transition between carrying the rifle and aiming.
- Two-point slings are easily adjustable while aiming and you can fasten them around your frame to stabilize your rifle when shooting. This is especially useful when you are holding a prone shooting position for long periods and are using the sling as a shooting prop.
- Another advantage of two point slings is that it is usually more elongated than a single point sling so it can give a better fit for tall and big built shooters.
- One of the biggest advantages of using a two-point sling is its ability to actively stabilize your rifle when in action.
Which AR15 Sling is the Best?
There is a myriad of AR 15 sling choices available on the market, and it can be quite bewildering to find the right sling for your needs. If you’re on a strict budget, the list above provides a host of inexpensive options that could serve as high-quality AR 15 slings. However, it does pay to compare the designs and styles before investing in a rifle sling.
The idea should be to get a comfortable sling for a reasonable price. You don’t need to break the bank to find the perfect sling for the job. However, there are slings on the list that are quite expensive if you can afford the extra dollar. Though not always, these offer premium quality and comfort.
For me, the best AR-15 sling is the Magpul MS1 multi-mission sling. This is the sling that ticks the most boxes for my needs. It’s an extremely reliable choice thanks to its high-quality construction and its two-point design makes it super easy to adjust. With its affordable price, I found Magpul’s sling to provide the best value for money.
We hope this article has been beneficial in identifying the best AR-15 sling. By following this guide you should be a step closer to finding a sling that can handle your favorite rifle, and offer you sufficient comfort when carrying and using it.