The Complete Guide to Leather Rifle Slings

A good rifle sling should do more than just carry your rifle. It should stay comfortable during long days in the field, hold up to real use, and feel right on the rifle it's attached to.

At Busted B Leather, our slings are built from premium full-grain Hermann Oak leather with options for genuine Water Buffalo leather upgrades. Whether you prefer a wide guide-style sling or a more traditional fixed-length setup, every sling is built for practical use and long-term durability.

All Busted B Leather rifle slings are built as two-point slings because they remain the most dependable and versatile setup for hunting, range use, and general carry.

A quality two-point sling:

• Carries comfortably over long distances
• Distributes rifle weight more evenly
• Keeps the rifle secure while moving
• Works well for both hunting and everyday use

For most shooters, it's the right balance of comfort, simplicity, and reliability.

Guide Gun Rifle Sling — built for heavier rifles, long carries, and all-day comfort in the field. Features include:

• Wide 2.5" shoulder section for better weight distribution
• Soft suede lining for added grip and reduced slipping
• Quick-adjust buckle for fast length adjustments
• 1.5" O-ring for thumb support and added function
• Fully customizable leather, stitching, hardware, conchos, and caliber options

This style is especially popular on Marlin 1895 rifles, Henry Big Boy X rifles, Chiappa lever-actions, Smith & Wesson 1854 rifles, and other modern lever-action setups.

Country Boy Rifle Sling — a more traditional fixed-length design with a clean, classic profile. Features include:

• Fixed-length carry setup
• Tapered 1.25" to 1" or 1.5" to 1" designs
• Soft suede lining for comfort
• Choice of Hermann Oak leather or genuine Water Buffalo leather
• Traditional latigo lace attachment or optional Chicago screw upgrade

The 34"–36" length is especially popular for Henry and Marlin lever-action rifles.

Hermann Oak leather offers excellent structure and durability, a traditional full-grain finish, long-term wear resistance, and natural break-in and patina over time. It's a longtime standard in American leatherworking for a reason.

Water Buffalo leather offers a more rugged grain pattern with a slightly softer feel and broken-in appearance. Many customers prefer it for backcountry rifles, lever guns, outdoor use, and a more textured, rugged look. Natural grain variation and markings are part of the character of genuine Water Buffalo leather.

All Busted B Leather rifle slings are designed to work with standard 1" detachable sling swivels. Swivels are not included but are available separately.

This setup allows for quick installation and removal, secure attachment, and easy rifle setup changes.

Every sling we build is designed around actual field use — not just appearance. Features found across our sling lineup include:

• Premium full-grain leather construction
• Suede-backed comfort
• Adjustable or fixed-length options
• Durable hardware configurations
• Traditional styling with modern functionality
• Customization options to match your rifle setup

Whether it's a lever gun riding in a truck, a hunting rifle in the woods, or a range rifle used every weekend, the goal stays the same: build gear that holds up.

Like any quality leather product, rifle slings benefit from simple routine maintenance. After exposure to dirt, sweat, or rain: wipe the sling clean with a soft cloth, allow it to air dry naturally, and avoid direct heat or excessive moisture.

For our Hermann Oak leather slings, we recommend Fiebing's Tan Kote for routine protection and maintenance. A light application helps maintain the finish and protect the leather without oversoftening it. As with all leather care, less is more. Full care routine here.