Short answer: for most people a two-point sling with a quick adjuster, such as the Blue Force Gear Vickers or the Magpul MS1, is the best AR sling: it carries the rifle on your back or chest and steadies it when you shoot. A single-point sling clips to the back of the receiver and lets the rifle hang in front of you, which makes switching shoulders easy but lets it swing. A convertible sling such as the Magpul MS3 or MS4 does both. Three-point slings still exist but are rare now.
Single-point vs two-point slings
| Single-point | Two-point | Convertible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attaches at | One point at the rear of the receiver | Front (handguard) and rear (stock or receiver) | Both; switches between them |
| Carry | Rifle hangs in front of your chest | On the back, side or chest | Either |
| Shooting | Easy shoulder switch; the rifle can swing | Sling tension steadies the rifle | Either |
| Examples | Blackhawk Storm single-point | Blue Force Gear Vickers, Magpul MS1 | Magpul MS3 and MS4, Vickers 221 |
Descriptions are from Magpul and Blue Force Gear, read October 2026.
Two-point slings
Blue Force Gear calls its Vickers a two-point, quick-adjust sling "built to be snag free"; pulling the adjuster tab shortens the sling to pin the rifle against you for carrying, and lengthens it for shooting. Magpul's MS1 uses a slider for one-handed adjustment. A two-point sling needs a front attachment on the handguard (see M-LOK vs KeyMod vs Picatinny for mount types) and a rear one on the stock or end plate.
Single-point slings
A single-point sling clips to one point at the back of the receiver, usually a sling end plate or a QD socket. The rifle hangs in front of you, ready to raise from either shoulder, and Magpul describes one-point mode as for "direct action". The trade-off is that the rifle swings when you let go of it.
Convertible slings
Magpul's MS3 provides "two-point attachment for stability and one-point attachment for direct action" with Paraclip connectors and 1.25 inch webbing; the MS4 does the same with push-button QD swivels. Blue Force Gear says its Vickers 221 works as a single-point sling as well as a two-point.
Attachment points
- Push-button QD sockets on stocks, end plates and handguards take QD swivels, as on the Magpul MS4.
- Loops and plates, such as Magpul's ASAP, take clips such as Magpul's Paraclip; the MS3 is built for these.
- Your stock may already have QD sockets or loops; see best AR-15 stocks.
AR slings, with today's prices
Lowest price across the stores we track:
Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS)
Pros
- Two-point quick-adjust sling
- Built to be snag free, per BFG
Cons
- Two-point only
Best two-point
Magpul MS1 two-point sling
Pros
- Two-point with a one-handed slider
- Base for Magpul's convertible adapters
Cons
- Two-point unless you add an adapter
Two-point
Magpul MS3 Gen2 one/two-point sling
Pros
- Converts between one- and two-point
- Paraclip connectors, 1.25 in webbing
Cons
- Needs loop or plate attachment points
Convertible
Magpul MS4 Gen2 dual QD sling
Pros
- One- or two-point with push-button QD swivels
Cons
- Needs QD sockets
Convertible, QD
Blue Force Gear Vickers 221 sling, push button
Pros
- Two-point that also works as a single point
Cons
- Needs QD sockets for push buttons
Convertible
Blackhawk Storm single-point QD sling
Pros
- Single-point with a QD attachment
Cons
- Single-point only
Single-point
Compare all accessories, including slings and mounts, and see our AR-15 accessories checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is a single-point or two-point sling better?
For most uses a two-point sling, because it carries the rifle on your back or chest and steadies it when shooting. A single-point makes switching shoulders easy but lets the rifle swing.
What is the best AR-15 sling?
A two-point quick-adjust sling such as the Blue Force Gear Vickers or Magpul MS1; a Magpul MS3 or MS4 if you want to switch to single-point.
Where does a single-point sling attach?
At the back of the receiver, usually to a sling end plate or a QD socket.
What is a convertible sling?
A sling that switches between one-point and two-point use, such as Magpul's MS3 and MS4 or the Vickers 221.
Do I need QD sockets for a sling?
Only for QD-swivel slings such as the Magpul MS4. Paraclip and loop-style slings such as the MS3 use loops or plates instead.
Are three-point slings still used?
They are still sold, but two-point and convertible slings are the common choices now.
