Sling Swivels

Rifle Sling

A rifle sling is an adjustable strap made from nylon webbing, leather, or neoprene that attaches to a rifle, shotgun, or carbine at 1, 2, or 3 connection points to carry the firearm hands-free, stabilize shooting positions, retain the weapon during transitions, and distribute the gun's weight across the shoulder and torso. Rifle slings provide 4 primary benefits: comfortable hands-free carry during long hikes and patrols, improved shooting stability through hasty sling and loop sling techniques, weapon retention during transitions to a sidearm, and rapid deployment from carry to shooting position. Rifle slings are used in hunting, tactical and law enforcement operations, competitive shooting, and recreational range use. A rifle sling consists of 5 components: the webbing or strap body, adjustment hardware (buckles, tri-glides, or pull tabs), attachment points (Quick Detach or QD swivels, sling studs, Heckler & Koch or HK hooks, or Paraclips), padding (neoprene, foam, or rubber), and keeper loops that secure excess webbing. This guide covers rifle sling types, top brands and models with specifications, sling swivels and mounting hardware, attachment methods, hunting versus tactical sling selection, and sling shooting techniques.

Types of Rifle Slings

There are 6 types of rifle slings, each designed for a different carry style, shooting application, and attachment configuration.

Single-Point Slings

A single-point sling attaches to the rifle at 1 connection point, typically at the receiver end plate or buffer tube on an AR-15, and allows the shooter to drop the rifle to the front of the body and transition to a sidearm without removing the sling. Single-point slings provide maximum mobility for close-quarters movement and fast shoulder transitions (switching the rifle from the right shoulder to the left shoulder). Single-point slings place all the rifle's weight — 6 to 10 pounds (2.7 to 4.5 kilograms or kg) for a loaded AR-15 — on a single point at the neck and shoulder, which causes fatigue during carry periods longer than 30 minutes. The Condor Viper Single Point Bungee Sling ($32.95), Condor Cobra 1-Point Bungee Sling ($39.95), and Condor Matrix Single Point Sling ($24.95) are available in Olive Drab (OD), Black, and Coyote Brown. The Magpul MS3 converts between single-point and two-point configurations using a quick-release buckle.

Two-Point Slings

A two-point sling attaches to the rifle at 2 connection points — one near the stock or receiver and one near the front of the handguard or gas block — and distributes the rifle's weight across the shoulder and back for comfortable extended carry. Two-point slings are the most common rifle sling type for hunting, military, law enforcement, and recreational shooting. A two-point sling allows 3 carry positions: muzzle-up over the shoulder, muzzle-down across the back, and cross-body across the chest. The Condor Speedy 2-Point Sling ($33.95) and Condor Combat Bungee Two-point (CBT) 2-Point Bungee Sling ($45.95) are available in OD, Black, Coyote Brown, and MultiCam. The Viking Tactics (VTAC) sling, Blue Force Gear (BFG) Vickers Sling, and Edgar Sherman Design (ESD) tactical sling are 3 of the most widely used two-point quick-adjust rifle slings.

Three-Point Slings

A three-point sling attaches to the rifle at 2 points and adds a third loop that wraps around the shooter's torso, creating a harness that holds the rifle tight against the body when not in use. Three-point slings provide weapon retention during climbing, rappelling, and vehicle operations where the rifle must remain secured to the body. The Condor 3-Point Sling ($13.95) and Condor Tactical 3-Point Sling ($22.95) attach at the front sight base and stock. Three-point slings are heavier and more complex than single-point and two-point slings, and the extra webbing can tangle during rapid transitions.

Bungee Slings

Bungee slings incorporate elastic sections in the webbing that absorb the rifle's weight during movement, reducing the bouncing and jarring that occurs during running, hiking, and dismounting vehicles. The elastic stretch ranges from 2 to 6 inches (50.8 to 152.4 millimeters or mm) depending on the sling design. The Condor Stryke Single Bungee Conversion Sling ($44.95, $52.95 in MultiCam) converts between a single-point bungee and a two-point configuration. The Condor Adder Double Bungee 1-Point Sling ($40.95) uses 2 bungee cords for balanced weight distribution. The Condor Swiftlink Padded Bungee Sling ($29.95) adds shoulder padding to the bungee design.

Padded Slings

Padded rifle slings add a foam, neoprene, or rubber shoulder pad measuring 2 to 4 inches (50.8 to 101.6 mm) wide and 6 to 12 inches (152.4 to 304.8 mm) long to the sling body, distributing the rifle's weight over a broader surface area and reducing shoulder pressure during carry periods of 1 hour or longer. The BFG Padded Vickers Sling ($116.95) adds a removable pad to the standard Vickers quick-adjust design. The Butler Creek Comfort Stretch Rifle Sling ($25) uses neoprene padding with a rubberized non-slip backing that grips clothing and prevents the sling from sliding off the shoulder. The Cirrus Ultralight Rubber Gun Sling with BakTrak adjusts from 28 to 36 inches (711.2 to 914.4 mm) in length and uses a rubberized traction surface.

Leather Slings

Leather rifle slings are traditional slings made from full-grain or top-grain cowhide that provide a classic appearance, high durability, and the ability to stiffen into a loop sling configuration for supported shooting positions. Leather slings require a break-in period of 2 to 4 weeks of regular use before the leather softens. The Galco RS11 Safari Ching Sling ($100) uses a 3-point design developed from Jeff Cooper's Scout Rifle concept and refined by Eric Ching — the Ching Sling adds a center loop that the support arm passes through for stabilized standing, kneeling, and prone shooting positions. The Heritage Western Scallop Leather Rifle Sling ($39.99), Heritage Plain Dark Leather Rifle Sling ($39.99), Heritage Deer Deboss Leather Rifle Sling ($39.99), and Big Game Suede Deer Head Rifle Sling ($54.99) offer decorative leather options for bolt-action hunting rifles.

Top Rifle Sling Brands and Models

Viking Tactics VTAC Sling

The Viking Tactics (VTAC) sling is a two-point quick-adjust tactical rifle sling designed by Kyle Lamb, a former Delta Force operator, featuring a dual pull-tab adjustment system that allows instant tightening and loosening without buckles or feed-through adjustments. The VTAC sling is available in 3 versions: the Original with polymer hardware, the Upgrade with metal hardware, and the Hybrid with mixed metal and polymer components. The VTAC sling includes built-in elastic bands that cover the tri-glides and allow excess webbing to be tucked away. VTAC also offers padded versions with thin foam padding and a backpack sling configuration for carrying the rifle across the back during long hikes. The VTAC sling does not include Quick Detach (QD) mounting hardware — QD swivels must be purchased separately.

Blue Force Gear Vickers Sling

The BFG Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS) is a two-point quick-adjust sling designed by Larry Vickers, a former 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) operator, with a single pull-tab adjustment system that provides up to 10 inches (254 mm) of instant length change. The Vickers Sling uses thick, stiff nylon webbing that maintains tension and resists slipping under load. The BFG Vickers Sling is available in padded and unpadded versions, in Black, Coyote Brown, OD Green, and MultiCam. The Vickers Sling is compatible with QD swivels, Paraclips, ULoops, and HK hooks. The Padded Push Button Vickers Sling starts at $116.95. The BFG Standard AK Sling provides a dedicated two-point sling for AK-47 and AK-74 platforms with a front loop that wraps around the front sling swivel. The BFG Vickers Submachine Gun (SMG) Sling is sized for shorter platforms including the MP5 and 9mm carbines.

Edgar Sherman Design Tactical Sling

The Edgar Sherman Design (ESD) tactical sling is a minimalist two-point sling that uses a repurposed ladder lock and low-profile pull tab for quick adjustment, with no excess webbing tail that can snag on gear or flap during movement. The ESD sling requires no trimming or modification — the webbing ends are factory-sewn and folded. The ESD sling has no padding, which reduces bulk and weight but limits comfort for rifles over 8 pounds (3.6 kg) during carry periods over 1 hour.

Magpul MS3 Sling

The Magpul MS3 is a convertible single-point and two-point sling that switches between configurations using a quick-release buckle, with QD mount and Paraclip attachment options. The Magpul MS3 uses thick reinforced webbing and metal hardware at all stress points. The Magpul MS3 retails at approximately $50 and is available in Black, Coyote, and Ranger Green.

Hunting Rifle Slings

Hunting rifle slings prioritize non-slip shoulder grip, lightweight construction, and compatibility with sling swivel studs, which are the standard attachment point on bolt-action and lever-action hunting rifles. The Ultimate Firearm Sling uses a nonslip thermoplastic material that converts from a traditional over-the-shoulder carry to a three-quarter backpack configuration by pulling the outer loop over the head and neck. The Quake Claw Sling uses a padded non-slip shoulder strap and includes QD sling swivels compatible with standard sling studs and flush cup mounts. The RedKettle Quick Release Rifle Sling M19 features a 10-inch (254 mm) instant-release extension tab that allows the rifle to be carried across the chest and deployed by pulling a single tab. The Cascade Neoprene Gun Sling ($33.99) uses neoprene padding in Realtree Edge and Black finishes.

Condor Outdoor Tactical Slings

Condor Outdoor Products manufactures 3 types of tactical slings — single-point, two-point, and three-point — in 16 configurations priced from $13.95 to $52.95, available in OD, Black, Coyote Brown, and MultiCam. Condor tactical slings include the Speedy 2-Point Sling, Stryke Single Bungee Conversion Sling, Adder Double Bungee 1-Point Sling, CBT 2-Point Bungee Sling, Viper Single Point Bungee Sling, Matrix Single Point Sling, Cobra 1-Point Bungee Sling, Swiftlink Padded Bungee Sling, Tactical 3-Point Sling, Quick 1-Point Sling, and the Pistol Lanyard ($31.75). The Condor HK Hook Upgrade Kit ($12.95) converts sling attachment points from standard snap hooks to HK-style hooks in OD, Black, and Coyote Brown.

Rifle Sling Swivels and Mounting Hardware

Rifle sling swivels and mounting hardware connect the sling to the firearm, and there are 5 types of sling attachment hardware: sling swivel studs, push-button QD swivels, HK hooks, Paraclips, and direct-attach loops.

• Sling swivel studs: threaded metal studs screwed into the stock forend and buttstock that accept 1-inch (25.4 mm) or 1.25-inch (31.8 mm) sling swivels — the standard attachment method for bolt-action and lever-action hunting rifles
• Push-button QD swivels: spring-loaded swivels that lock into QD sling sockets mounted on handguards, stocks, and receiver end plates, and release with a single button press — the BFG Push Button QD Sling Swivel and Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) Low Profile Push Button QD Mount are 2 common QD hardware options
• HK hooks: spring-loaded metal hooks originally designed for Heckler & Koch firearms that clip onto D-rings, webbing loops, or sling plates — the Condor HK Hook Upgrade Kit converts existing sling endpoints to HK-style hooks
• Paraclips: BFG's proprietary wire-loop attachment that wraps around any sling point and locks with a cam mechanism, providing a positive-lock connection without push-button release — Paraclips grip tighter under load
• Direct-attach loops: Universal Wire Loops (UWL) and ULoops that thread through sling slots on rifle stocks, handguard slots, and receiver end plates without requiring QD sockets or sling studs

The BFG Rail Mounted Push Button Socket installs into M-LOK or Picatinny rail sections on AR-15 M-LOK handguards and provides a QD sling attachment point. The BFG A2 Buttstock Adapter converts a standard A2 fixed buttstock sling loop into a push-button QD mounting point. The BFG Heavy Duty Side Release Swivel uses a side-actuated release buckle for rapid sling removal under load.

Choosing a Rifle Sling: Hunting vs Tactical

Selecting a rifle sling requires matching the sling type, material, and attachment hardware to the intended use — hunting slings prioritize non-slip grip and light weight, while tactical slings prioritize quick adjustment and weapon retention.

There are 4 factors in choosing a rifle sling:

• Intended use: hunting slings need non-slip shoulder grip and compatibility with sling swivel studs; tactical slings need quick-adjust pull tabs and QD swivels for rapid tightening, loosening, and deployment
• Attachment type: bolt-action rifles use sling swivel studs (1-inch or 1.25-inch), AR-15 and modern sporting rifles use QD sockets or end plate adapters, and AK-pattern rifles use front sling loops and rear sling attachment plates
• Material: nylon webbing (1 to 1.5 inches or 25.4 to 38.1 mm wide) is the standard for tactical slings; neoprene padding reduces shoulder fatigue for hunting; leather provides stiffness for loop sling shooting techniques
• Adjustability: quick-adjust slings (VTAC, Vickers, ESD) change length with a single pull tab in under 1 second; traditional slings use tri-glide buckles that require 3 to 5 seconds to adjust

Rifle Sling Shooting Techniques

A rifle sling improves shooting accuracy in 3 field positions — standing, kneeling, and prone — by creating tension between the rifle, the support arm, and the shooter's body that reduces muzzle movement. There are 2 primary sling-supported shooting methods:

• Hasty sling: wrap the support arm through the sling from the outside and grip the forend with the support hand — the sling tension pulls the rifle into the shoulder and reduces vertical muzzle sway by 30% to 50% compared to unsupported shooting, and the hasty sling takes under 3 seconds to assume
• Loop sling (competition sling): thread the support arm through a dedicated loop formed by adjusting the sling length, which creates a rigid connection between the upper arm and the rifle forend — the loop sling provides maximum stability for prone and kneeling positions and is the standard technique in National Rifle Association (NRA) high-power rifle competition and military marksmanship qualification

The Galco RS11 Safari Ching Sling provides a dedicated center loop designed for rapid sling-supported shooting without the threading required by traditional loop sling techniques. The Ching Sling allows the shooter to slip the support arm through the center loop and apply tension in under 2 seconds, compared to 10 to 15 seconds for a traditional military loop sling setup.