Choose a two-point rifle sling for carrying
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Quick answer
A two-point sling attaches at the front and back of a rifle so you can carry it hands-free over a shoulder. Magpul's MS1 is 1.25 in nylon webbing, 48 to 60 in long with a one-hand slider and weighs 6.0 oz; the MS1 Padded adds a 1.85 in pad at 6.4 oz, and the MS1 QDM comes with steel quick-disconnect swivels. Blue Force Gear's Padded Push Button Vickers adjusts from 36 to 62 in and needs push-button sockets at both ends. Match the sling to the attachment points your rifle already has.
- Magpul MS1 Sling (MAG513). Best for: A light, simple everyday carry sling. See options on Amazon
- Magpul MS1 Padded Sling (MAG545). Best for: Long walks with a heavier rifle. See options on Amazon
- Magpul MS1 QDM Sling (MAG939). Best for: Rifles with quick-disconnect sockets. See options on Amazon
- Blue Force Gear Padded Push Button Vickers Sling (VCAS-PB-200-AA). Best for: Rifles with two push-button sockets and taller shooters. See options on Amazon
What a two-point sling is for
A two-point sling clips to the front and rear of a rifle so it hangs from your shoulder or across your body while your hands stay free. For hunting, walking a property line or carrying a rifle to and from the truck, that keeps both hands free for footing, gates and gear.
All four picks are two-point slings with quick length adjustment, so you can loosen the sling to shoulder the rifle and tighten it to keep it close while you walk.
Four slings compared
| Sling | Length | Width | Weight | Attaches with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magpul MS1 (MAG513) | 48-60 in nominal | 1.25 in | 6.0 oz | Optional Magpul hardware |
| Magpul MS1 Padded (MAG545) | 48-60 in nominal | 1.85 in pad | 6.4 oz | Optional Magpul hardware |
| Magpul MS1 QDM (MAG939) | 48-60 in nominal | 1.25 in | Not listed | QDM swivels included |
| BFG Padded Push Button Vickers | 36-62 in | 2.00 in pad | Not listed | Push-button swivels included |
Figures are from Magpul's and Blue Force Gear's product pages. Magpul lists a nominal length with plus or minus 5 in of adjustment, a 10 in slider range.
Match the sling to your rifle's attachment points
Look at your rifle before you buy. Some have fixed loops or traditional swivel studs, some have quick-disconnect (QD) sockets that take a push-button swivel, and some have neither.
For the plain and padded MS1, Magpul offers optional adapters and hardware to suit different setups. The MS1 QDM comes with QD swivels, and the Vickers push-button sling needs push-button sockets at both ends. Use attachment points the rifle already has; if it has none, ask a gunsmith or the rifle's maker rather than modifying it yourself.
Length and adjustment
Magpul lists its MS1 slings at 48 to 60 in nominal with 10 in of slider adjustment, and says the slider changes length with one hand and holds tension without slipping. Blue Force Gear lists the padded push-button Vickers as adjustable from 36 to 62 in overall.
Taller people and anyone wearing a heavy coat in winter may want the longer top end of the Vickers. If you mostly carry over one shoulder, any of the four has enough range.
Padded or plain
A pad spreads the rifle's weight across more of your shoulder. Magpul's padded MS1 widens to 1.85 in at the pad and weighs 0.4 oz more than the plain MS1. The Vickers padded section is 2.00 in tubular webbing with closed-cell foam.
For a light rifle and short carries, the plain MS1 is enough. For a heavier rifle or all-day walks, a padded sling is more comfortable.
Which one to buy
If your rifle has QD sockets, the MS1 QDM is the simplest pick because the swivels come attached. If it has push-button sockets and you want padding, choose the Vickers. Otherwise, start with the MS1 or MS1 Padded and pick the Magpul hardware that fits your rifle's attachment points.
Keep the rifle in a rifle case for transport and a locked safe at home.
Safe handling
Treat every firearm as loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger while fitting or adjusting a sling. Unload the rifle before attaching or removing sling hardware, and check that each swivel or clip is fully seated before you carry it.
Follow your state and local laws on carrying and transporting firearms, and store them locked and unloaded when not in use.
What to look for when you buy
Magpul MS1 Sling (MAG513)
Best for: A light, simple everyday carry sling
Magpul lists 1.25 in nylon webbing with a near-infrared treatment, a 48 to 60 in nominal length with 10 in of slider adjustment, a 6.0 oz weight and a slider that adjusts with one hand and holds tension without tails or loops to snag.
Watch out: Magpul sells adapters and hardware separately for some mounting setups.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Magpul MS1 Padded Sling (MAG545)
Best for: Long walks with a heavier rifle
Same MS1 slider and length, with a center pad that widens to 1.85 in and uses rip-stop coated closed-cell foam. Magpul lists 6.4 oz.
Watch out: The pad sits in one place, so set the length so it rests on your shoulder.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Magpul MS1 QDM Sling (MAG939)
Best for: Rifles with quick-disconnect sockets
The MS1 with Magpul's heavy-duty QDM swivels already attached. Magpul says they have a low-profile design, a corrosion-resistant QPQ salt bath nitride finish and a freely rotating bale that keeps the webbing from rolling over.
Watch out: Only useful if your rifle already has QD sling sockets front and rear.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Blue Force Gear Padded Push Button Vickers Sling (VCAS-PB-200-AA)
Best for: Rifles with two push-button sockets and taller shooters
Blue Force Gear lists 1.25 in CORDURA webbing with 2.00 in padded tubular webbing and closed-cell foam, Zytel nylon push-button hardware and an overall length adjustable from 36 to 62 in. Made in the USA with a 10-year warranty.
Watch out: Blue Force Gear says it needs push-button sling swivel sockets at both the front and rear.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- How long should a rifle sling be?
- Magpul's MS1 slings are 48 to 60 in nominal with 10 in of slider adjustment, and Blue Force Gear's padded push-button Vickers adjusts from 36 to 62 in. Pick one that fits over your shoulder with your usual clothing.
- Do I need QD swivels for a sling?
- Only if your rifle has QD sockets. The MS1 QDM includes QD swivels; for the plain MS1, Magpul offers optional adapters and hardware.
- Is a padded sling worth it?
- For heavier rifles and long carries, yes. Magpul's padded MS1 adds only 0.4 oz over the plain version.
- What does push button mean on a sling?
- Push-button swivels snap into matching QD sockets on the rifle. Blue Force Gear's push-button Vickers needs a socket at both the front and rear.
Sources
- MS1 Sling (magpul.com), Magpul
- MS1 Padded Sling (magpul.com), Magpul
- MS1 QDM Sling (magpul.com), Magpul
- Padded Push Button Vickers Sling (blueforcegear.com), Blue Force Gear