Although we often think of rifle slings as the things we use to make carrying long guns easier, there’s more to them than that. Aside from using a sling to carry your gun during a hunt or at the range, slings can be used to steady and support yourself during live fire. That makes the selection of sling all the more important because you want it to be useful, not just something that dangles off the stock. This is our list of top five rifle slings, in no particular order, to get you started.
Simply Rugged Bear Mount
Something that tends to be more of an issue with lever-action and bolt-action guns is the lack of attachment points. You might want a sling, but there are no swivels, and you’d prefer not to mar the wood finish by installing them. Although there are certainly nylon and Velcro options, the Simply Rugged Bear Mount eliminates those noisier materials in favor of using leather. This design incorporates a cuff that fits over the stock and a forward attachment for the sling that doesn’t require studs or swivels to be installed on the gun. The sling itself is adjustable, which is important because all shooters have different frame sizes and varying reach.
The lack of Velcro is especially useful for hunters because the last thing you want is for a deer to be frightened off thanks to your sling. Thanks to the Bear Mount, that problem is eliminated. Simply Rugged also manufactures standard slings made to work with swivel points and studs. Their leatherwork is well-done and of excellent quality. These rifle slings are made to perform and to last.
Magpul MS4 Dual QD Sling Gen 2
A sling that functions as either a one or two-point? Yes, please. The Magpul MS4 QD Sling Gen 2 does that and more. Thanks to a pair of heavy-duty push-button QD sling swivels, and a custom steel connection ring, it’s easy to switch from one to two-point convertibility (or vice versa). The sling’s quick-adjust slider is designed to be low-profile to minimize bulk and reduce the risk of snags. The overall webbing length is longer than previous gens to fit a wider variety of shooters.
Perhaps one of the nicest features is the MS1 slider which the manufacturer states allows the user to change between one and two-point attachment points one-handed. Other features include 1.25-inch wide nylon webbing, a length of 48 inches to 60 inches, and a slider adjustment range of 10 inches. According to the manufacturer, colored webbing is treated with a Near Infrared (NIR) treatment to reduce IR signature. This is a durable nylon sling made for ease of use and versatility. If you’re looking for a nylon sling for your AR, check out the Magpul MS4 Dual QD Sling Gen 2.
Viking Tactics Wide Padded Sling
The original Viking Tactics sling has quite a fan base, and the Wide Padded Sling from the company is based on that first design. According to Viking Tactics, this sling has all the same features as the original, only with a wider strap and more padding for comfort during use. Trust us, padding can be quite helpful when you have a rifle slung for significant amounts of time.
This is a two-point sling with a closed-cell foam shoulder strap and resin-treated nylon webbing. It’s offered in a variety of colors including black, Blaze Orange, Coyote, OD Green, and Foliage Green. On the product page, Viking Tactics suggests you visit their Sling Attachments page to make sure you get the right connectors for your specific setup. The company states this sling was designed to do it all from providing retention to offering greater support during live fire to leaving your hands free as needed. Basically, it’s the padded version of a proven system, so if a two-point nylon sling is your preference, it might be right for you.
Blue Force Gear Vickers Padded Sling
This is the sling Blue Force Gear claims is used by the United States Military. Here’s the Blue Force summary of the Vickers Padded Sling:
The Patented Vickers Combat Applications Sling has revolutionized the way we carry automatic rifles. Developed with industry friend, expert, and former 1st SFOD-Delta operational member Larry Vickers and author of the Vickers Guide, the quick adjusting Tactical Sling used by the US Military.
Larry Vickers designed this sling based on his own real-life experience, and he made it to perform. After all, you don’t want a sling that proves to be a weak point. It might seem like a basic part of your kit, but it’s a vital one.
Adjustments to the sling are made using the company’s Quick Adjuster and contrasting pull tab. This system makes it possible for shooters to smoothly transition from carry to duty use. The sling is designed to attach to fixed loop systems, but there are a variety of other attachment points and hardware available at an additional cost. Hardware that comes with the sling is the user’s choice of nylon or metal, with the nylon in question being DuPont Zytel Nylon. The unpadded length of the sling is 54 inches to 64 inches and the padded length is 57 inches to 67 inches. 1.25 sling webbing is used for the unpadded version and 2.0-inch tubular webbing is used for the padded design. This is a purpose-built sling meant for tactical applications.
Andy’s Leather Rhodesian Sling
The Rhodesian from Andy’s Leather was made with Scout Rifles in mind, but it works well on any long gun with standard attachment points. It’s a leather sling with a wide range of adjustment points that is offered in black, walnut, or chestnut. Width varies between 1 inch and 1.5 inches. What’s great about it? Well, aside from being a high-quality leather sling, the Rhodesian has a forward loop that works incredibly well for intuitive shooting support (you can use it as a carrying strap, too).
Although you typically see leather rifle slings on lever-action and bolt-action rifles, there’s nothing stopping you from putting one on your AR. The great thing about leather is that it doesn’t stretch like a lot of nylons do, and it also doesn’t tear. Andy’s Leather Rhodesian Sling is among the best-made leather slings in the industry and is one worth relying on for your personal guns whether you’re hunting or using your gun for home defense.
What’s your preferred sling, leather or nylon? Tell us about your experiences in the comments.
