How to Attach a Two Point Sling to AR-15

How to Attach a Two Point Sling to AR 15
Alfred Mendoza

There is more than one way of attaching a string on an AR-15. While all three are easy to do, we found out that the most popular, reliable, and trusted method is the two-point string. Plus the fact that I’m not really a big fan of single-point slings. Here are the simple steps on how to attach a two-point string to an AR-15.

1. Know the Basic Parts

know the basic parts

Two-point slings require two mounting points. It’s essential to know its basic parts as it’s not as simple as single-point slings. 

Strap

The strap is used for carrying rifles. It often hangs in front of the shooter, with the barrel pointing downwards and the stock near the dominant shoulder. 

Some are made of leather, which may not be as durable and rugged as those made of nylon webbing and paracord. They come in different sizes, colors, lengths, configurations, and price tags.

Connector

Connectors are materials that connect or join the sling to the mount. They can be metal fixed loop swivels, quick-detach, or sling loops. 

Mount

The mount is the specific part on an AR rifle that joins or connects the attachment hardware. Common mounting options include quick detach swivel mount, CQD mounts, and paraclips. 

Shooters can also loop a piece of cord or sling material on the stock or the handguard without needing any connectors or adapters.

 2. Check the Attachment Hardware

Check the Attachment Hardware

Your mounting options will be determined by the type of sling you have. Traditional slings only use simple loops, while others have hooks for quick attachment or detachment. Choosing a sling attachment and mount for your swing is a matter of personal preference. Here are the standard options for sling attachments:

Quick Detach (QD)

It’s a variation of the stud design and swivel loop. You only need to press a button to connect or remove it from the rifle. It’s great to use when you want to move your sling into different rifles.[1]

Clip

It’s a plastic or metal carabiner-type hook that you can clip onto the mounting ring. Use it for easy and fast removal of the sling.

Fixed or Swivel Loop

The fixed loop is one of the parts of the rifle where you can directly connect to the strap. It isn’t actually considered a connector. 

The swivel loop is a ring that is attached to the rifle’s mounting studs. Some of them can rotate while others don’t. Either is fine, but most rifle enthusiasts prefer a loop that can turn. 

Buffer Tube End Plate

It’s an attachment area on the rifle, usually circle-shaped. It comes in single or ambidextrous configurations. 

Some people prefer a kind of sling for each rifle, so they opt for the fixed or swivel loop. Meanwhile, others prefer to have one sling that can be fitted on different rifles, so they choose clip or QD connectors.

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3. Mount the Rear Point

Check the Attachment Hardware

You can mount the sling to three points: buffer tube, stock end, or the top rifle’s rail.

For a traditional sling with tri-glides/buckles, there are two ways: 

  1. Take the cord or sling strap out of the buckle and route the sling around the stock, then insert it back to the buckle. Make sure it’s not twisted. 
  2. Insert the cord on the top loop, come under, and go around the buttstock. Start on the right and route it around. Pull the sling tight, and then insert it into the tri-glides or buckles. 

For a sling with push-button QD on both ends: 

Attach the QD to the opposite side of the rifle. If you’re right-handed, attach it to the right side but if you’re left-handed, attach it to the left side. 

For a sling swivel:

Undo the sling, add the swing swivel, retrace through the tri-glide, take the free-running end, and go through the tri-glide to lock it in place. 

There are several things to consider to make your sling work on your AR:

  • You will have better barrel maneuverability if you mount further away from the handguard. 
  • Your weapon is much stable if you allow enough space between the rear and front points. It gives you easy access to the weapon as well. 
  • If you mount on the back of your receiver, your stock can move freely, letting you manipulate your weapon easily. 
  • Mounting the sling on top of the buttstock allows your gun to hang more to the side, which is comfortable for your legs and enables you to move quickly.
  • You can shop affordable parts from any legit online store, and if you need a visual guide on the steps or an answer to your queries, you can watch any instructional video.

4. Mount the Front Point

You can mount the front connection point anywhere on the quad rail of the receiver or the handguard.

Insert the cord to the swing swivel, then back to the buckle. Make sure it’s not twisted. 

If you use a QD, push the button and slide the cord through on the low profile sling mount, and go back through the buckle.

front point

5. Adjust the Sling Based on Your Preference

Put the sling on your dominant shoulder and make the necessary adjustments making sure that the length won’t get in the way while maneuvering the weapon. Pull the running end of the side to achieve the size and tightness that you need.

You may cut the extra part of the cord to prevent any entanglements or obstruction while manipulating your weapon. Or you can tape it so if you need more size adjustment, especially if you’re wearing thick layers of clothing during the winter, you can simply undo and use it.

Check all the parts for proper adjustments and head to the target range.

Final Thoughts ON Attaching Two-Point Slings to Your AR-15

We have tried all ways of attaching a string on an AR-15 rifle: single-point sling, two-point sling, and three-point sling. The key to determining which one of them is ideal is convenience. While each option has pros and cons, the one that excels the most for us is the two-point sling. 

The 2-point sling is meant to be carried across the front or back of the body and lets users access and maneuver their rifles quickly and conveniently. Unlike the single-point slings or three-point slings, this way allows for a more secure and comfortable weapon manipulation and provides a better stable shooting position.

References:
  1. https://drc.uc.edu/bitstream/handle/2374.UC/744112/MET2015_Smith_Sean.pdf?sequence=1/li>

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