The best AR-15 sling
Quick answer: the Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Padded Sling (around $75) is the best AR-15 sling for most people. It is a two-point sling whose patented Quick Adjuster lengthens or cinches it with one pull, Blue Force Gear lists a closed cell foam pad on 2 inch tubular webbing, and reviewers on OpticsPlanet rate it 4.7 out of 5 from 120 reviews. Its catch: attachment hardware is sold separately. The Magpul MS4 Dual QD GEN 2 (around $75) converts between two-point and single-point and includes QD swivels, if your rifle has QD sockets. The Magpul MS1 (around $40) is the budget two-point, and the Viking Tactics Wide Padded is the padded alternative for heavier rifles. For a hunting rifle, the Butler Creek Comfort Stretch for carrying and the Galco RS11 Safari Ching for steadier shots.
A rifle sling does two jobs: it carries the rifle hands-free, and a good one lets you change length fast enough to go from carrying to shooting. The right one depends on how many attachment points you want, whether you need a pad, and what hardware your rifle already has. Every card names the exact model row we checked. We read the maker's own page for Blue Force Gear, Magpul, Viking Tactics and Galco; Butler Creek's specifications come from the retailer listing and are labelled that way.
Two-point, single-point or convertible?
A two-point sling is the right choice for most AR-15s. It attaches at the front and rear of the rifle, carries it securely on your back or chest, and a quick-adjust model can be cinched tight to hold the rifle against your body, then lengthened in one pull to shoulder it.
- Two-point: front and rear attachment; the best all-round carry and the only type that can steady a shot. Examples: Blue Force Gear Vickers, Magpul MS1, Viking Tactics Wide Padded.
- Single-point: one attachment near the rear of the rifle; the rifle hangs in front and switches shoulders easily, but swings as you move. None of our picks is single-point only.
- Convertible: a two-point sling that also runs as a single-point. The Magpul MS4 does it with a QD D-Ring; the MS1 needs an optional adapter.
Rifle slings compared
| Sling | Best for | Type | Pad | Hardware in the box | Weight | OpticsPlanet rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Force Gear Vickers Padded | Overall AR-15 | Two-point, quick adjust | Yes, 2 in | None | Maker figures differ | 4.7 (120) | around $75 |
| Magpul MS4 Dual QD GEN 2 | Convertible | Two-point or single-point | No | QD swivels and D-Ring | Not listed | 4.8 (330) | around $75 |
| Magpul MS1 | Budget | Two-point, slider | No | None | 6.0 oz | 4.8 (70) | around $40 |
| Viking Tactics Wide Padded | Heavier rifles | Two-point, quick adjust | Yes, 2 in | Not stated | 5.78 oz | 4.8 (27) | around $50 |
| Butler Creek Comfort Stretch | Hunting carry | Carry sling | Neoprene | QD swivels (81013 row) | Not listed | 4.4 (17) | around $40 |
| Galco RS11 Safari Ching | Hunting shots | Ching shooting sling | Leather, 2 in | Fits 1 in swivels | 6.5 oz | 4.8 (35) | around $110 |
Weights are from each maker's own page (Magpul MS1, Viking Tactics, Galco). Blue Force Gear's product page and its spec sheet for the padded Vickers give different weights, so we quote neither; Magpul gives no weight for the MS4 and the Butler Creek listing gives none. Ratings are OpticsPlanet's, shown with the number of reviews. Prices are bands; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our AR-15 sling picks
Best AR-15 sling overall: Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Padded Sling
Two-point · padded · Quick Adjuster · attachment hardware not included · card: VCAS-200-OA-BK, black, nylon adjuster
around $75exact price on OpticsPlanet
The two-point sling most AR-15 owners should start with. Its signature part is the patented Quick Adjuster: one pull on the tab lengthens the sling to shoot, and one pull the other way cinches the rifle to your body to carry it. Blue Force Gear lists the padded version at 57 to 67 inches long, with a 2 inch tubular webbing section filled with closed cell foam, and makes it in the USA; it also lists an NSN for the black padded model. Owners praise the adjuster more than anything, and only four reviews on the listing say they would not recommend it. Two real costs: the box holds the sling only, so QD swivels or other attachment hardware are extra, and three reviewers point out that the webbing is not one continuous piece through the pad but stitched to it. If that worries you, Blue Force Gear also makes an unpadded Vickers.
Pros
- Quick Adjuster changes length with one pull, the feature owners praise most
- Closed cell foam pad on 2 inch tubular webbing (Blue Force Gear)
- Made in the USA, with an NSN listed for the black padded model (Blue Force Gear)
- Loops through fixed sling loops and stock slots, or takes any QD hardware you choose
Cons
- Attachment hardware is sold separately; one owner writes "you have to buy the sling connections separately"
- Webbing is stitched to the pad rather than running through it, per three reviewers
- Edge stitching can rub: one owner writes "The stitching feels like Sawzall blades on your neck"
- Stiff at first: one owner found the tri-glides stiff until after moderate use
Best for: an AR-15 you carry and shoot, where fast length changes matter. If you want QD swivels in the box, the Magpul MS4 includes them.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Blue Force Gear |
|---|---|
| Type | Two-point, padded, quick adjust |
| Length | 57 to 67 in (Blue Force Gear, padded version) |
| Webbing | 1.25 in sling webbing; 2 in tubular padded section with closed cell foam |
| Adjuster | Patented Quick Adjuster with pull tab (Blue Force Gear lists US patents 8,430,285 and 8,733,601) |
| Hardware | Glass reinforced nylon adjuster and tri-glides on this model |
| Attachment hardware | Not included; loops through fixed loops, or add swivels or QD hardware |
| Weight | Not quoted: Blue Force Gear's product page and its VCAS-200-OA spec sheet give different figures |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime (the retailer, and Blue Force Gear's own product description); the same Blue Force Gear page also carries a 10 YEAR warranty badge, so confirm terms with the maker |
| Made in | USA (Blue Force Gear) |
| Spec source | Blue Force Gear's Padded Vickers Sling page; features from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | VCAS-200-OA-BK, black (UPC 814520015266); the listing also sells Coyote Tan, Multi Cam and OD Green |
“Quick adjust length works great, incredibly slick in function.”
Sneed, owner (AL) via OpticsPlanet
Best convertible sling (QD swivels included): Magpul MS4 Dual QD GEN 2 Multi-Mission Sling
Converts two-point to single-point · push-button QD swivels included · 1.25 in webbing · no pad · card: MAG518-BLK, black
around $75exact price on OpticsPlanet
The pick if you want one sling that runs as a two-point or a single-point, with the QD hardware in the box. Magpul lists heavy-duty push-button QD sling swivels and a steel QD D-Ring that lets you switch between one-point and two-point mode with one hand, 1.25 inch webbing, a slider with 10 inches of adjustment, and US manufacture. It is the most reviewed sling on this page by a wide margin, 330 reviews, and owners praise the conversion and the quality most. The catch is that it needs QD sockets on your rifle, front and rear, and not every socket accepts its swivels: three reviewers report swivels that would not seat or lock in some sockets, including one who writes "It fits in about half my female adapter." There is no pad, and one owner finds it heavier than most slings.
Pros
- Converts between two-point and single-point with one hand (Magpul)
- Push-button QD swivels and a steel QD D-Ring are included (Magpul and the retailer)
- The largest owner record on this page: 330 reviews, four say they would not recommend it
- Made in USA and Berry Amendment compliant (Magpul)
Cons
- QD fit varies: one owner writes "The QD connections do not fit in the holes of some of my uppers"
- Needs QD sockets on the rifle; it will not loop through a fixed slot like the others
- No pad; one owner calls it "Heavier than most slings though."
- One owner reports the buckle "will loosen when not used"
Best for: an AR-15 that already has QD sockets front and rear, especially if you want the single-point option. Test the swivels in your own sockets first.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Magpul Industries |
|---|---|
| Type | Convertible two-point / single-point |
| Webbing | 1.25 in nylon (Magpul) |
| Adjustment | Low-profile slider, 10 in adjustment range (Magpul) |
| Attachment hardware | Two push-button QD sling swivels and a steel QD D-Ring included (Magpul) |
| Rifle needs | Push-button QD sockets on the stock, end plate, receiver or handguard |
| Padding | None |
| Made in | USA, 100% Berry Amendment compliant (Magpul) |
| Spec source | Magpul's MS4 Dual QD Sling GEN2 page; features from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | MAG518-BLK, black (UPC 873750010793); also sold in Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and Stealth Gray |
“I really like that it goes from dual point to single point and I can easily remove when I store my weapon in the safe.”
Mike, owner (CO) via OpticsPlanet
Best budget AR-15 sling: Magpul MS1 Multi-Mission Sling
Two-point · slider adjust · 1.25 in webbing · 6.0 oz (Magpul) · no hardware in the box · card: MAG513-BLK, black
around $40exact price on OpticsPlanet
The budget pick, and the simplest sling here. Magpul lists the MS1 at 6.0 oz with 1.25 inch webbing and a 48 to 60 inch length, a dedicated two-point sling that can be converted to single-point with optional adapters, made in the USA. Its slider has no hanging tail or loop to snag, and owners like how it holds its setting: one writes "The length adjustment slider is very easy to operate but somehow doesn't budge under tension." Only one review on the listing says it would not recommend it. The trade-offs: no pad, so a narrow strap on a long carry, and like the Vickers it comes without swivels, so budget for hardware unless you loop it through slots.
Pros
- Slider adjusts fast and holds, with no tail or loop to snag
- The least expensive sling on this page
- Mounts with no extra hardware through stock slots or loops, or with any QD swivels
- Made in the USA and Berry Amendment compliant (Magpul)
Cons
- No pad: one reviewer warns "The narrow sling strap material will definitely be uncomfortable after time."
- No swivels or QD hardware in the box; one reviewer notes the swivels added noticeably to his total cost
- Thin webbing can fold over while slung, per one reviewer
- Single-point use needs a separate adapter
Best for: a budget build or a light carbine. For a heavy rifle or long carries, a padded sling such as the Vickers or the Viking Tactics.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Magpul Industries |
|---|---|
| Type | Two-point, convertible with optional adapters |
| Length | 48 to 60 in (Magpul and the retailer) |
| Webbing | 1.25 in |
| Adjustment | MS1 slider, no tails or loops |
| Hardware | Heavy-duty polymer (retailer listing) |
| Attachment hardware | Not included; loops through slots or takes separate QD swivels |
| Weight | 6.0 oz (Magpul) |
| Made in | USA, 100% Berry Amendment compliant (Magpul) |
| Spec source | Magpul's MS1 Sling page; features from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | MAG513-BLK, black (UPC 873750009230); also sold in Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and Stealth Gray |
“The length adjustment slider is very easy to operate but somehow doesn't budge under tension.”
Ken, owner (MI) via OpticsPlanet
Best padded sling for heavier rifles: Viking Tactics Wide Padded Rifle Sling
Two-point · padded · pull-tab adjust · 2 in padded center, 1 in ends · 5.78 oz (Viking Tactics) · card: VTAC-MK2-BK, black
around $50exact price on OpticsPlanet
The padded alternative to the Vickers. Viking Tactics describes it as its original sling with a closed cell foam pad added for heavier firearms, and lists a 2 inch padded center section, 1 inch attaching ends, a length of 60 inches or more, 5.78 oz, and US manufacture. Owners run it on AR-15s, AKs, AR-10 pattern rifles and a Galil, and they praise the pad and the ability to cinch the rifle tight against the body. None of the 25 reviews we could read on the listing says it would not recommend it. Two honest limits: setup takes time, with several reviewers mentioning a learning curve before the buckles are right, and the review record is old, running from 2011 to 2019, so it says little about current production.
Pros
- Closed cell foam pad on a 2 inch center section (Viking Tactics)
- Cinches the rifle tight to the body and releases with one pull, per owners
- 5.78 oz with the pad, made in USA (Viking Tactics)
- All 25 readable reviews on the listing would recommend it
Cons
- Setup takes practice: one reviewer lists "adjustment has a learning curve"
- Review record ends in 2019, so it reflects older production
- No attachment point for single-point use, per one reviewer
- One reviewer finds the release pull short
Best for: a heavier AR-15 or AR-10 you carry for hours, at a lower price than the Vickers. If you want a newer owner record, the Vickers has reviews through 2026.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Viking Tactics |
|---|---|
| Type | Two-point, padded, quick adjust |
| Webbing | 1 in nylon on the attaching ends, 2 in tubular nylon in the center |
| Padding | Closed cell foam (Viking Tactics) |
| Hardware | Plastic tri-glides, metal slider (retailer listing) |
| Length | 60+ in (Viking Tactics) |
| Weight | 5.78 oz (Viking Tactics) |
| Made in | USA (Viking Tactics and the retailer) |
| Spec source | Viking Tactics' Wide (Padded) Sling page; hardware from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | VTAC-MK2-BK, black (UPC 857466002105), the only orderable row |
“The padded part is extremely nice when carrying a heavy platform.”
Wm Palmer, owner (SC) via OpticsPlanet
Sling swivels and QD: what your rifle needs
Check how your rifle takes a sling before you buy one, because it decides what else you need. Most AR-15 stocks and many handguards have push-button QD sockets; others have fixed loops or slots, and most bolt-action hunting rifles have sling studs for 1 inch swivels.
- QD sockets front and rear: the Magpul MS4 is ready to go with its included swivels. Test the fit: three MS4 reviewers found its swivels would not seat or lock in some third-party sockets.
- Fixed loops or stock slots: the Vickers and the MS1 loop straight through with no hardware. One MS1 owner bought it because it "could be mounted without any additional hardware".
- Sling studs (hunting rifles): the Butler Creek 81013 comes with QD swivels sewn in, and the Galco Ching fits standard 1 inch swivels.
- Want QD on a Vickers or MS1: budget for a pair of QD swivels on top of the sling price, since neither includes them.
For a hunting rifle
A hunting rifle sling is mostly a carry sling: you walk a long way with the rifle on your shoulder and take the shot from a rest or a quick field position. A padded, grippy strap matters more than a quick adjuster, and the swivel studs most bolt rifles already have decide the hardware. The Butler Creek is the comfortable carry sling; the Galco Ching adds an arm loop that turns the sling into a shooting aid.
Best hunting rifle carry sling: Butler Creek Comfort Stretch Rifle Sling w/ Uncle Mike's QD Swivels
Carry sling · neoprene with stretch backing · 44 in · QD swivels sewn in on this row · card: 81013, black rifle version
around $40exact price on OpticsPlanet
The hunting pick for carrying a scoped bolt rifle a long way. The retailer lists soft closed cell neoprene with a stretch backing, non-slip grippers underneath, a 44 inch length, and on this exact row, Uncle Mike's QD swivels sewn in, so it goes straight onto a rifle with sling studs. Reviewers describe it staying put on the shoulder and flexing as they walk; one writes "The silicone bumps keep this sling in place on your shoulder, soft strong neoprene keeps it comfortable." It is a carry sling, not a shooting sling: there is no quick adjuster. The listing mixes three builds, rifle with swivels, rifle without, and shotgun, and reviewers who bought different ones disagree about whether swivels came in the box, so check the model number. One old review reports the stitching failing on first use.
Pros
- Stretch neoprene and non-slip grippers keep it on the shoulder, per owners
- Uncle Mike's QD swivels sewn in on the carded 81013 row
- Loops on the outside hold a few cartridges, per reviewers
- The least expensive hunting sling here
Cons
- No quick adjuster; set the length once
- Rubbery backing can drag a shirt, and one owner says it "Still slides around some"
- Listing mixes versions with and without swivels; check you are ordering 81013
- Small owner record, 17 reviews, and one 2011 review reports "the stitching came undone"
Best for: a bolt-action hunting rifle with sling studs that you carry more than you shoot from the sling.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Butler Creek |
|---|---|
| Type | Two-point carry sling |
| Material | Closed cell neoprene with Comfort Stretch backing |
| Length | 44 in |
| Attachment hardware | Uncle Mike's QD swivels sewn in (this row) |
| Spec source | Retailer listing (Butler Creek's site now redirects to a Primos page with no specs for this model) |
| Model on this card | 81013, black rifle version with QD swivels (UPC 051525810131); the photo is the listing's image for 80013, the same black rifle sling sold without swivels |
“The silicone bumps keep this sling in place on your shoulder, soft strong neoprene keeps it comfortable.”
Otto, owner (NV) via OpticsPlanet
Best shooting sling for a hunting rifle: Galco RS11 Safari Ching Sling
Ching shooting sling · leather · keyhole adjust · fits 1 in swivels · 6.5 oz (Galco) · card: RS11B, black
around $110exact price on OpticsPlanet
The hunting pick for steadier shots without a rest. The Ching sling, designed by the late Eric S.H. Ching per Galco, adds an arm loop so you can loop up quickly and brace the rifle for a standing or kneeling shot, and Galco's version fits a rifle with ordinary 1 inch swivels. Galco lists it at 41 to 44 inches, 2 inches wide and 6.5 oz, with a tool-free keyhole attachment. One owner compares it to a military shooting sling that is easier to use, and several run it on scout rifles. It is the most expensive sling on this page, leather needs care and breaking in, and the newest review, from 2026, questions the leather grade for the price and reports black hardware where the photo showed brass. Most of its reviews are older and untagged.
Pros
- Arm loop steadies field shots, the main reason owners buy it
- Fits standard 1 inch swivels; no third stud needed, per owners
- Tool-free keyhole adjustment (Galco)
- 2 inches wide to spread the weight when you carry (Galco)
Cons
- Newest reviewer writes "I suspect that it is not full grain leather of the highest quality"
- Stiff at first and needs leather care; one reviewer notes a strong smell when new
- Extra length hangs loose: "When not using the sling is always in the way."
- The most expensive sling here, and only 8 of the 33 reviews we could read carry the Verified Owner tag
Best for: a bolt-action or scout-style hunting rifle where you want sling support for offhand or kneeling shots. For pure carrying comfort, the Butler Creek.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Galco |
|---|---|
| Type | Ching shooting sling |
| Material | Leather (Galco lists premium Latigo; the retailer describes the black as steerhide) |
| Length | 41 to 44 in (Galco) |
| Width | 2 in (Galco) |
| Weight | 6.5 oz (Galco) |
| Attachment | Fits 1 in sling swivels; keyhole adjustment |
| Country of origin | USA (retailer spec table) |
| Spec source | Galco's Safari Ching Sling page; origin from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | RS11B, black (UPC 601299029255); the listing also sells Dark Havana at a higher price |
“Provides the stability of a M1907 sling, but in a more straightforward manner.”
ian, owner (MI) via OpticsPlanet
How to choose a rifle sling
- Pick the type first. Two-point for nearly everyone; convertible if you want the single-point option; a Ching or other shooting sling on a hunting rifle you shoot from the sling.
- Quick adjust. The Vickers, MS1, MS4 and Viking Tactics all change length quickly while worn. The Butler Creek is set once.
- Pad or no pad. A padded 2 inch section (Vickers, Viking Tactics) spreads the weight of a heavy rifle; a plain 1.25 inch strap (MS1, MS4) is slimmer and simpler.
- Hardware. Match the sling to your rifle's QD sockets, loops or studs, and count the cost of swivels if the sling does not include them.
- Length. Larger shooters and anyone wearing armor or a pack need more length. Compare the makers' figures: Magpul lists the MS1 at 48 to 60 inches, Blue Force Gear the padded Vickers at 57 to 67 inches, and Viking Tactics its Wide Padded at 60 inches or more.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test. We started from the retailer's sling category sorted by most reviews and checked which slings the US AI Overview for this search recommends. For each sling we opened the full model list to find the new, orderable model each card links to (used and demo units set aside) and read its reviews, including every low-star one. We checked specifications against the maker's own page for Blue Force Gear, Magpul, Viking Tactics and Galco; Butler Creek's specifications are the retailer listing's. For the Vickers we also commissioned secondary research and kept only what Blue Force Gear's own page confirms; military adoption claims and list prices we could not tie to this model were left out, and because Blue Force Gear's product page and its spec sheet for this part number give different weights, we quote no weight for it. Our scores are our opinion; ratings are shown attributed to the retailer that collected them. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best AR-15 sling?
For most AR-15s, the Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Padded Sling. It is a two-point sling with a patented Quick Adjuster that changes length with one pull, and Blue Force Gear lists a closed cell foam pad on 2 inch tubular webbing; reviewers on OpticsPlanet rate it 4.7 out of 5 from 120 reviews. Attachment hardware is sold separately. If you want a sling that also runs as a single-point with QD swivels in the box, the Magpul MS4 Dual QD GEN 2. On a budget, the Magpul MS1.
Two-point or single-point sling: which is better for an AR-15?
For most people, a two-point sling. It attaches at the front and rear of the rifle, so it carries the rifle securely and can be pulled tight to steady a shot or cinch the rifle to your body. A single-point sling attaches at one point near the rear of the rifle, so the rifle hangs in front of you and switches shoulders easily, but it swings when you move. A convertible sling like the Magpul MS4 does both; one owner who does not plan to use the single-point mode wrote "Single point gets in the way".
Do rifle slings come with sling swivels?
Some do and some do not, so check before you order. Of the slings on this page, the Magpul MS4 includes push-button QD swivels, and the Butler Creek 81013 row has QD swivels sewn in. The Blue Force Gear Vickers and the Magpul MS1 come without swivels: they loop through fixed sling loops and stock slots, or you add QD swivels. The Galco Ching sling fits a rifle with 1 inch swivels.
What is the best sling for a hunting rifle?
It depends on whether you mainly carry or also shoot from the sling. For carrying a scoped bolt rifle, the Butler Creek Comfort Stretch, a neoprene sling with non-slip grippers; the 81013 row includes QD swivels. For steadier offhand and kneeling shots, the Galco RS11 Safari Ching Sling, a leather shooting sling that fits standard 1 inch swivels.
Is a padded sling worth it on an AR-15?
On a heavy rifle or a long carry, owners say yes. The Blue Force Gear Vickers and the Viking Tactics Wide Padded both put a 2 inch padded section over the shoulder. On a light carbine a plain 1.25 inch strap like the Magpul MS1 is slimmer and simpler, though one reviewer warns a narrow strap will be uncomfortable after time.
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