Best Rifle Slings For Precision Rifles and AR-15s [2024]

Image	Product	Price
	Best Overall – STI 2 Point Rifle Sling	Check Price
	CVLIFE 2 Point Sling with Quick Detach Sling Mount Swivel	Check Price
	Magpul MS4 Quick Detach Gen2 Rifle Sling	Check Price
	Favorite Made in USA – Flatline Fiber Rifle Sling	Check Price
	Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Sling, Nylon Adjuster, and Hardware	Check Price
	VTAC Viking Tactics Wide Padded Sling	Check Price
	Butler Creek Comfort Stretch Rifle Sling with Swivels	Check Price
	Eagle Rock Gear 550 Paracord 2 Point Rifle Sling	Check Price

There comes a time when your trusty rifle sling snaps, and now you’re thinking about Amazon shipping and other hassles. Or, maybe you expected this to happen and now you can’t wait to try out a new, comfier rifle sling.

Depending on how many years it served its purpose, rifle owners usually just go for the same rifle sling since they’re used to the feel and handling.

But, there are so many interesting and handy rifle slings (or carrying straps, if you will) on the internet, you’d be missing out on some high-quality rifle slings if you just stick to your old one.

In this guide, we’ll talk about the best rifle slings of 2021, what they’re made of, wear and weather resistance, utility, value, and comfort.

We’ll cover slings for AR-15s, shotguns, rifles, and some other rare models that get the job done just as well. I highlighted the most important features and characteristics in the Buyer’s Guide section below to help you narrow down your choices.

Let’s take a look at our top choices for rifle slings.

Our Top Pick – STI 2 Point Rifle Sling

Sear tactical Innovation (STI) is one of the best manufacturers for rifle slings and sling swivel models  in the US, and the STI 2 Point Rifle Sling can attest to their reputation. What’s more, they offer their STI 100% satisfaction guarantee, and you can return it if you don’t like it.

I chose the STI 2 Point Rifle Sling because it’s a basic, sturdy rifle sling with a fast-loop and 1.25-inch webbing that any rifle owner can effortlessly get used to. Simply attach the rifle sling to the two points of your rifle, make some minor adjustments, and you’re all set.

It has a strong, reliable tube webbing that can hold up to 4,000lbs of equal weight distribution. The tubed webbing is made of high-quality, chafe-resistant nylon that won’t hurt your shoulder, and is available in black and brown colors. It’s snag-free and comfy enough for long hunting hours.

It has a quick-adjust mechanism up to 55 inches, and unlike some rifle slings that need disconnecting before making adjustments, you can just set up your length on the fly. This is very important, as there are a lot of rifle sling models that don’t have on-the-fly adjustment features.

The simple design allows compatibility with most AR-15, M16, and makes a great shotgun sling for shotguns within the 18.5-inch barrel length range.

The downsides are that the 55” length may not be ideal for taller shooters, and it doesn’t come with a manual, but this won’t be much of a problem for rookie rifle owners. Just check out this informative two-part video on how to set the sling up.

The STI 2 Point Rifle Sling is a very straightforward, flexible, cost-effective model with no fancy features that simply gets the job done. I recommend this model to any hunter or competitive shooter, and I’m sure you’ll get used to its feel right away.

CVLIFE 2 Point Sling with Quick Detach Sling Mount Swivel

CVLIFE are known for their scopes, dot sights, bipods, and other gadgets, but their slings are perhaps one of their most sought after rifle accessories.

The CVLIFE 2 Point QD (Quick Detach) Rifle Sling with a swivel mount has a premium nylon tube webbing that offers durability and comfort. It’s adjustable up to 60 inches, resistant to wear and tear, and has no problems with wet and rainy weather.

Its Neoprene material offers flexibility when carrying, and the thumb loop adjuster makes things easier to handle in any situation. I strongly recommend it for AR-15 rifles, but it also works great as a hunting rifle sling.

It comes with QD sling mount swivels that can rotate up to 360 degrees, and a snap hook for quick attachment which is very handy for on-the-fly adjustments. It also has shock absorption parts that reduce tightening while bending the rifle sling.

The CVLIFE rifle sling can carry heavy loads, all thanks to its simple design and crafty attachment hooks. The attachment hooks are definitely one of its best features. Their opening is wider than most rifle slings with attachment hooks and you can easily manage thicker rings and switch faster.

For some, the metal parts might be noisy and can scare off potential game, and the four slip locks could pose an inconvenience, but I don’t think it’s much of a downside.

What’s great about this rifle sling is that it offers flexibility, longevity, and comfort for a decent price. It’s a good rifle sling with good value, and I suggest you grab one before the manufacturer realizes the mistake they’ve made with the price tag.

Magpul MS4 Quick Detach Gen2 Rifle Sling

You’ve heard of Magpul and their vast array of PMags, grips, stocks, handguards… They’re practically a synonym for high-quality gear, and you should definitely try out their rifle slings.

The Magpul MS4 rifle sling is a convertible. It’s an upgraded version of the standard MS3 Sling, with added dual QD features.

It’s a single-point sling that can easily turn into a two-point sling with its dual, push-button, quick disconnect, multi-mission sling system. It’s one of the easiest rifle slings to handle and adjust on the fly, even when you’re wearing kevlar or other body armor.

The 1.25-inch, customized, wide nylon material is durable, chafe-free, and comfortable enough not to hurt your shoulder. Quality is evident, as the precision-cast steel quick detach D-ring has a Melonite finish for anti-corrosion purposes, and wear and tear resistance.

Comfy, durable, and easy to adjust, the Magpul MS4 rifle sling can fetch a pretty hefty price, but you won’t have to buy another rifle sling for a long time.

If you’re looking for something lighter with a snag-free, tubular design, check out the Magpul RLS Rifleman Loop Two-Point Sling.

Flatline Fiber Rifle Sling

Pros & Cons

Flatline Fiber Co. may not have been around the longest, but with the quality of its products, we’re guessing that it will be around for a long time to come. Flatline started in 2019 and continues to hand-make all of its products in-house in the U.S.A.

It offers two different types of rifle slings: padded and standard. Both are made out of durable one-inch nylon webbing, with the padded sling also using 500D Cordura to wrap the pad. You can choose from 10+ color options for either sling, including Multicam options like the ones we chose.

Open ends on both sides allow you to use your preferred attachment method. The weight is kept to a minimum with the provided tri-glides, especially with the standard sling.

Here is a quick video of how to install the rifle sling:

Since it doesn’t come with any attachment hardware, remember to order some if you don’t have any lying around. We would have liked to see some included QD swivels or comparable hardware at this price point.

We tested the slings on one of our AR-15s over a few weeks. We had no hiccups or issues through various reload drills, weapon transitions, and quick movement.

No matter which sling you go with, it’ll be backed by a lifetime warranty, so you won’t have to worry.

Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Sling, Nylon Adjuster, and Hardware

Blue Force Gear is another reputable brand, well-known for its quality slings. Their precision rifle sling models are made by former military weapon experts, specifically Larry Vickers, for this line of slings.

The Vickers Sling is one of many from the manufacturer, and it’s best suited for the M4 and AR-15 rifles. The idea behind the design is focused on ease of use, comfort, and unwavering reliability.

It’s made from high-quality nylon webbing with no looping and snag-free features. It doesn’t have a quick-release feature, but it stays put until detached and doesn’t slip easily. Be it slung or carrying position, it makes sure you get used to the sturdy feel.

Anyone can appreciate the patent-pending, molded Acetal quick adjustment feature which is specifically made for fast switching between the transportation stance and ready-at-arms stance. What’s more, it comes in many different colors and camo patterns, so be ready to choose one.

The bad news is that this Vickers sling is made of high-quality materials and features which surpass the standards, so it’s high up there on the price range. Swivels aren’t included either, so you’ll have to purchase them separately.

This model is without a shoulder pad, so don’t expect much comfort. You can check out their Vickers Padded Push-Button Sling if you’re looking for something more comfortable.

Overall, the Vickers Sling is a reliable and flexible choice if you have more bucks to spare. The US military has it in their ranks. No wonder it’s one of the manufacturer’s most popular models.

VTAC Viking Tactics Wide Padded Sling

Here’s another popular choice used by the military. It’s an upgraded version of the famous Viking Tactics (VTAC) 2-point sling which any firearms owner will find very handy.

They didn’t change the design much, other than adding a textured rubber pull tab for faster on-the-fly adjustments and they also replaced the plastic buckles with metal ones.

Some may find the metal buckles noisy for their taste, but make no mistake, the metal buckles and the elastic stow bands offer easier handling and mounting, and better reliability when switching stances.

This is a top choice if you’re going for comfort, as the wide padding cushions and lightweight design ensure the sling feels like second nature to your weapon handling. The 1-inch wide padded sling is made of a closed-cell foam shoulder carrying strap that evenly distributes weight.

It’s flexible, feels free, and it’s 60 inches long, so you can adjust it in any way you please.

However, it might be a hassle to handle for, let’s say, ‘not big’ shooters, because you may need to tape off some of the excess length.

Here’s an informational video on how to properly set up and operate with the VTAC rifle sling.

Here are our honorable mentions, or rifle slings that didn’t quite make the cut but are still regarded as a viable and practical choice.

As of 2021, the Butler Creek rifle sling and Eagle Rock Gear paracord are a decent pick, but are difficult to find as aftermarket options.

Butler Creek Comfort Stretch Rifle Sling with Swivels

Here’s a popular one.

The Butler Creek Rifle Sling has a reputation for those comfortable pads and durable Neoprene material which is flexible enough and distributes weight equally. For its features and price, it’s a rifle sling with great value.

It has non-slip, rubber grips (hey it rhymes!) which guarantees the sling remains shouldered and stays put. The padded cushion design offers comfort and won’t hurt your shoulders even when carrying a heavy weapon. It’s a simple, yet well-made design, and it’s perfect for hunters.

Additionally, the Butler Creek rifle sling has 4 shell holders on the strap if you need those extra shells, and believe me, you probably do.

The downside is that the swivels are a bit on the smaller side and this may be a problem for some riflemen.

Overall, this rifle sling offers a lot of features and its simple, no-nonsense design is best suited for hunting, as well as competitive shooting and target practice.

Eagle Rock Gear 550 Paracord 2 Point Rifle Sling

This list wouldn’t be complete without a paracord. A paracord is a specially designed rifle sling that can be untied into a parachute cord with multiple functions.

I picked Eagle Rock Gear because it’s lightweight, and although a bit pricey, this rifle sling/paracord will definitely benefit both outdoorsmen and hunters.

The Eagle Rock Gear 550 Paracord 2 Point Rifle Sling offers flexibility and mobility, comes with an easy-to-use adjustable rifle strap and it’s perfect for backpack hunting.

It has more than 86 feet of durable paracord, with a wide triple cobra weave, and you can use it as a multi-purpose tool when you’re out camping. You can utilize it in knots for hammocks, tents, making rescue ropes, flint burners, traps, fishing, and all kinds of camping/survival tactics you can think of.

It doesn’t have swivels, so you need to grab some, though this could have been a great rifle sling if the manufacturer included some of those high-quality Eagle Rock Gear swivels of theirs.

This rifle sling has an easy-pull loop feature which makes adjusting on the go a cinch. It may not be very comfortable for some, but its nylon straps with HK Clips offer excellent durability and stretch.

You can pick all kinds of black, tan, charcoal, camo, or gray colors, but I bet you’ll go for the army green one if you consider purchasing one.

If you’re looking for an unusual, yet practical rifle sling, the Eagle Rock Gear 550 Paracord is your best bet.

In order to make things easier when picking the right rifle sling for you, there are a couple of things you need to know. In this case, the three basic rifle sling types:

• Single-point rifle slings allow a quick transition from shoulder to shooting stance.

With this stance, you can either carry your rifle muzzle up or under the arm. It’s usually attached to the bottom of the stock and to the upside of the upper receiver.

It’s good for transitioning and easy to learn, but it can be annoying to control and can often get in your way.

• Two-point rifle slings, also known as ‘the traditional gun sling’, these rifle slings are standard, and they’re the most common on the market.

Two-point rifle slings are worn over the shoulder, muzzles up, down, or in front of your body. Depending on the model, adjusting the sling is fast and easy, much like a guitar strap.

These rifle slings are best for all kinds of rifles and shotguns, but they’re not as practical as three-point slings.

• Three-point rifle slings are the rarest type. When three-point rifles are in question, you either can’t imagine using the other two, or you hate it from the bottom of your heart.

Depending on our differently built arms and elbows, for some shooters, this sling type may be complicated to use, not to mention that the models are usually expensive.

The difference between two and three-point slings is that the three-point has one extra loop in order to increase security, modify handling, and further utilize it for other purposes and carry methods. I can’t really describe methods with words, so here’s an informative video on how to use three-point rifle slings.

The three-point rifle sling is easily adjustable. Once you learn its secrets, the three-point rifle sling can be a life-saver, and I recommend it to experienced hunters.

What to Look For In Rifle Slings

When considering your buying options, the thing you should look for is obviously comfort. I recommend you go for two-point rifle slings as a regular standard.

If you feel that the same model, type, and brand you had feels just right and you can’t bother with experimenting, then by all means go for it. After all, the idea is to maintain smooth rifle handling and easy operation.

But if you’re willing to try out a new option, you should consider these factors and look for…

Adjustability

Sure, going for anti-chafe options is a no-brainer, and your shoulder and torso will thank you.

But, rifle owners and their guns come in many different shapes and sizes, and the thing is – 90% of the models you can find today are chafe-free and are comfortable enough.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so I’ll always recommend going to the gun shop and trying some stuff out like you’re in a boutique.

If you can, make sure you try out various lengths and models, and see which works best for you. Keep a ‘buy once, use forever’ mentality, because safety comes into play here as well.

Carrying an uncomfortable, uneven, inappropriately positioned rifle sling is dangerous, so you should always check your adjustability.

Durability, Weather Resistance, and Materials

It’s advised that you look for a nylon strap or models with Neoprene materials that can dry easily, as well as materials that don’t melt and can take the heat properly.

A good rifle sling must do its job whether or not it’s raining or it’s scorching, and most gun owners overlook this important detail.

Durability is also very important, and it usually depends on the swivels, hooks, metal parts, and other features, not just the webbed material. Here are the most popular materials for rifle slings:

• Nylon is the most popular material. Nylon offers solid durability, flexibility, and weather resistance and it’s the most lightweight option in contrast to the other rifle sling materials.
• Paracord is a long, braided parachute cord that is intricately weaved to create a long-lasting and highly durable sling. It’s designed to be used as a multi-purpose survival tool.
• Neoprene is a special, rubber-like material that’s designed for high tensity stretching, comfort, and can be very bouncy.
• Leather is a classic material, and it’s slowly decreasing in use as time passes. It’s not as practical, comfy, or easy to clean as nylon or Neoprene, but it’s very durable. Most gun owners like to go for the classic, aesthetic feel and pick leather rifle slings.

There’s no clear winner here, each material has its own benefits and faults. You just need to pick one and cement a certain habit of handling and get used to the feel of it on your shoulder and arms.

I suggest you choose one that has padded areas with wide and thick surfaces, or lightweight ones. Any material would do just fine, as long as it’s a two-point or three-point sling with wide swivels and hooks that offer speed when adjusting on the fly.

It just has to make you feel quick and precise in operating the rifle.

Most of the slings come with manuals that clearly instruct how to wash them.

Simply put, if it’s nylon or polyester, don’t use bleach. Bleach has chlorine and prolonged use will damage the material. Additionally, using high-pressure water is also ill-advised, as it can cause discoloration.

Use standard detergents, brushes, and soaps, along with some gentle scrubbing and always remember to fully dry them off. 

That’s all there is to it.

For more on gun cleaning kits, oils and solvents, check out our gun cleaning kit guide, or our buyer’s guide for gun oils and lubricants.

To sum up, many rifle sling manufacturers like Blue Force Gear, VTAC, Magpul, TLO, CVLIFE, and others, all work just fine and offer excellent comfort when you’re hunting or you’re at the ranges.

It all depends on your preference, and I know how tough it is to get used to an entirely different rifle sling, especially when transitioning from two-point to three-point slings.

I hope that this guide helped you choose your rifle sling, or at least narrowed your options down. There are many interesting options, and although most of the popular choices you see today aren’t very expensive, it’s still a good idea to save a few bucks for extra ammo.

I recommend you go for something with swivels, maybe a padded design, tubed nylon webbings, or something that has the ‘chafe-free’ and ‘tangle-free’ tag. Additionally, attachment hooks with wide openings are also an important feature.

Once again, there’s not much rocket science in here, and going for popular brands can show you positive results 90% of the time.