What Makes a Quality Sling

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a sling, some focus on comfort and others on purpose and use. Finding a good sling isn't too hard these days, and the real key to success is finding a quality model that fits your purpose.

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a sling.

Comfort

The general rule of thumb is the more substantial the weapon, the wider the sling you’ll need. The wider the sling, the more the weight will be evenly distributed. This reduces fatigue and helps cut the feeling of the sling really digging into you.

Slings designed for heavy guns will usually feature a large pad that can be placed over the shoulder and fitted for comfort. This is a must-have for those heavier AR 15s, AR 10s, and shotguns. This pad makes a lot more sense after carrying your gun more than six hours.

As a machine gunner, I toted a gun that weighed nearly 30 pounds, and the sling I used had a large pad. It made a significant difference to my back and shoulders, and my deployment to Afghanistan would have been a lot different without it.

Comfort matters. If you are focused on that pain in your shoulder, you aren’t paying attention to the world around you, and therefore you are putting yourself at risk.

Design

How does the design effect using the sling? Is it easy to make adjustments? Is it easy to attach sling mounting hardware?

These are questions you need to ask before purchasing and using a sling. The sling's design will allow you to incorporate the sling with your weapon successfully. If it has HK clips for example and you had QD slots you may want to consider different hardware.

If you need to adjust the sling for use with and without body armor, you’ll want something with plenty of adjustment range and preferably something quick and easy to adjust. The overall design should be simple. Anything too complicated and mechanical is likely to gum up the works and break a bit easier.

You’ll also need to consider sizing the sling for your body type and gear. As a big guy, some slings are too tight, especially when you are wearing body armor. Most slings will list their adjustment range in inches, and this will give you a solid idea of how long the sling is versus how big you are.

Purpose

What is the task of your weapon? This will help you choose the right sling. A defensive firearm for home protection is a lot different than a rifle designed for hunting. A duty AR 15 will have its own requirements for a sling.

I suggest really examining what the weapon is for and determining what the everyday use for that sling will be.

Home defense slings need to be rapid to put on and take off, and preferably very strong. These slings can prioritize comfort last since they won't be worn for hours at a time.

A hunting rifle sling should prioritize comfort first since the rifle is likely to be carried for extended periods over rough terrain.

A sling for a duty grade weapon needs to be comfortable, durable, and adjustable.

Leather vs. Synthetic

The two main material used in sling design is leather and a wide variety of different synthetic materials. Leather is still a classic choice due to its durability and strength. Leather slings are also very stylish and have a throwback appearance.

Leather slings are best reserved for hunting rifles and shotguns. While they are strong and durable, the material isn't as malleable as synthetic options and doesn't offer the same design influences a tactical sling requires.

Another stylish material is paracord. Weaving paracord is a unique and fun way to make a sling, or you can, of course, buy pre-made slings. Paracord is robust, durable and looks cool, but is limited in design and again a better option for a hunting rifle.

Materials like ballistic nylon, however, are excellent for tactical slings. This light, but durable material is malleable and works with a variety of designs. Ballistic nylon and similar materials are the way to go for long-term sling use.

The Three Types of Slings 

There are three types of slings out there, and each has its place in the hunting and tactical world. Each design has its good and bad points, and different shooters all have their preferences. I’ll try to do my best to avoid my own personal bias when talking slings.

Single Point Slings

Single point slings attach to a single point on the weapon. This allows for a robust and straightforward type of sling that’s idiot proof. The sling attaches to the rear of the firearm and typically features a loop that goes around the body over one arm and under the other.

Single point slings are also an excellent choice for tactical shooting and do have some limited hunting applications.

The Good 

Single point slings are very easy to use and allow you to don and remove your sling with minimal effort quickly. The sling always makes it very easy to maneuver the weapon, especially when it comes to indoor use. Since the sling only attaches to the rear of the gun, the muzzle is entirely free.

Single point slings also allow transitioning from shoulder to shoulder when necessary smoothly. This will enable you to shoot around barriers. The single point sling offers the enormous range of movement for shooters of all three sling types. They are very simple and will not likely get tangled up in your gear as move and groove.

The Bad

When you aren’t handling the weapon, a single point sling does kind of just flop around. For male shooters, this could end in some uncomfortable blows to the downstairs. Single point slings tend to allow your weapon sway and bounce when you don't have total control over the weapon.

These slings are the hardest to climb with and do make it difficult to get up and over an obstacle. They will allow your weapon to bounce on and off obstacles.