Paracord Rifle Sling: A DIY Project with Instructions

Paracord lanyards and slings are popular for several reasons. You can make them yourself, they look good, and they are very durable. Paracord 550 cord takes a lot of pressure to break.

Rifles are easier to carry with a comfortable sling, and this article will teach you how to make your own using different weaving patterns to provide a unique sling for your gun.

How to Make a Paracord Rifle Sling, Double Cobra Knot

Let’s start by gathering the supplies needed.

• 3 rolls of 550 paracords in various colors
• scissors
• pliers
• lighter
• buckle or swivel
• rifle shell (optional)

The paracord should be quite long since weaving it will significantly shorten the length. It’s recommended to begin with 30 feet (9-10 meters) in length. If you have extra, you can always cut off the excess.

Initial Steps

1. Prepare your rifle swivel and three cords.
2. Make a small loop with the middle of the cord and thread it through that loop, performing a slip knot.
3. Fold the cords in half and thread them through the swivel. This is your first setup.
4. Do that for all three paracords.
5. Use three different colors for these three cords, making it easier for you to follow the weaving pattern. We will use red, yellow, and green for the sake of these instructions.
6. Begin by preparing a half-loop with the green right-most cord. Set it over all the other lines.
7. Then, take the right-most yellow cord and place it over the right-most green line you prepared for the loop.
8. Thread the yellow cord below the left-most green line. As you set that up, thread the yellow cord through the green cord’s loop and tighten the knot.

Begin Weaving

1. For the time being, your yellow cord will be all the way to the right.
2. Use your left-most green cord and again prepare a half-loop. Place the cord below the yellow strand you threaded in the first knot.
3. Take it and place it below the right-most green cord, threading it through the half-loop you prepared. Again, tighten your knot well.
4. As you continue, create a mirror image of your progress on the left side of the sling.
5. The middle part should look like crosses from top to bottom of the sling.
6. The pattern repeats throughout the entire weaving process.

Finish Weaving

1. You can either keep that pattern all the way to the end, or you can finish the shoulder part in a cobra stitch.
2. If you haven’t performed the cobra stitch, continue weaving all the way to the end swivel. Next, add some thickness to the end of the swivel.
3. Begin a new weaving, just like in the beginning, but start from the end swivel. Weave for 10 inches or less, depending on your preference.
4. When you’ve weaved to your desired length, cut the added cords (those you needed to add thickness to your end swivel).
5. Continue with your cobra stitch (if applicable) until you get to the end of your swivel pattern. Near the end, thread the extra swivel cords through another weave of the cobra stitch.
6. Burn the paracord ends, pressing them (while still hot) to the cobra stitch weaving. This will attach them firmly to the sling.

If you need to see this in action, watch the YouTube video on the main weaving pattern explained in this tutorial. This pattern is called a Double Cobra stitch. To learn more intricate patterns, take a look at our paracord knots tutorial.

Making a Triple Cobra Stitch Rifle Sling

This type of sling is more durable and virtually impossible to cut or break.

Gather the supplies you will need.

• two 25 to 30 ft 550 paracords
• one 50 ft paracord
• knife
• scissors
• a pair of swivels

It’s easier to attach the swivels on a wooden board so that they are secured in place. This will determine the overall length of the sling. To do this, fold the first 25-30 ft paracord in half and perform a slip knot on one of the swivels.

Begin Weaving

1. Thread the remaining paracord through the other swivel and begin weaving.
2. Complete a single cobra knot here, prepare a loop to the left, then thread the other cord below and through your loop.
3. Tighten and repeat on the other side. Since you’re working with long cords, you’ll need to have some patience while threading.
4. The loop must always begin on top of the sling, and the opposite thread must begin from below and into the loop.

Continue this weaving all the way to the end, right where the other swivel is. Don’t cut the cords yet.

1. Next, take the second paracord (25 to 30 feet in length) and complete the same pattern, beginning in reverse– right where you finished with the previous cord.
2. Again, weave using the cobra knot all the way to the other swivel end.
3. You can work the ends of the first cobra knot sling you made.
4. Take the extra cords and thread them through the swivel itself, making a double knot to secure it in place.
5. Cut and burn the exposed edges. Do the same thing on the other swivel to create a symmetrical sling.

Incorporate the Third Paracord

In the next step, you have to prepare the third, far longer paracord. Again, you’ll use the cobra stitch to finish the entire sling.

1. Begin by making a simple slip knot around the bulging end, right where you cut the extra cords. This will hide them and make them fit perfectly in the entire sling.
2. Take the left cord and prepare a half loop.
3. The other line should be on also. Place it below the sling and into the end – all the way through the loop.
4. Tighten well, and make sure you arrange the knot and cords nicely.
5. To continue, take the right-hand line, make a loop, and thread the other cord through from below.
6. Continue weaving in this pattern all the way to the end swivel. As you reach the end swivel, cut the remaining cord.
7. Prepare to pull it through the swivel and then tighten it under a weave of the pattern.
8. Pull each cord through the weaves and tighten it before burning the ends. Either seal the ends on top of the sling or pull them below the weave to hide your finishing touches below the pattern.

If you need a more detailed and visual tutorial, watch the YouTube video on making a Triple Cobra Weave Rifle Sling.

Additional Tip: Make this sling with an adjustable length by adding an extra belt buckle. You’ll need a nylon belt, buckles for the belt, and a tri-glide to adjust the length (similar to those found on backpacks, suspenders, ordinary bags, etc.).

Attach the belt to the sling swivel so that it can be attached to it on one end. Then, thread it through the belt with another tri-glide. End the belt with an ordinary buckle.

Fish Tail Paracord Rifle Sling

This paracord pattern isn’t complicated at all. In fact, it’s fairly easy. Since you’re handling long paracords, it will take some time to make the entire sling, but it will look good and is a satisfying project.

Again, gather the materials you need.

• 550 paracord no more than 60 feet in length
• Measure how long you would want the sling to be, and prepare a wooden board.
• Mark the sling’s desired measure on the wooden board and attach the swivels to secure them in place, thus making the weaving much easier.

Initial Steps

1. Fold the paracord in half, right in the middle, and make a slip knot at one swivel end.
2. Thread the remaining cord through the other swivel and straighten the cord.
3. Then take the loose ends of the cord and thread them through the first (starting) swivel. Separate each paracord’s half to opposite sides through the swivel.

Begin Weaving

1. By the time you begin, you’ll have two pairs of ‘string’-like cords from end to end. Take one loose cord over the first pair, and pull it below the second pair. Tighten.
2. The cord will remain below and on the opposite side from its starting point.
3. Take the other free cord and pull it through two pairs below the first pair. It will also be on the bottom side of the sling.
4. Weave your first free cord again, just like the last one. Repeat with the second free cord and so on. Always tighten each knot very well. The weaving pattern must be as tight as possible.
5. Cut each end and thread through the weave using tweezers. This will tighten the entire sling quite well. Burn the ends, and you’re ready.

In the YouTube tutorial below, you can see the basics of the fishtail pattern. The weaving is done around single cords, whereas our tutorial uses double cords to increase durability and strength.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoyed this project, we recommend trying to weave other items like bracelets or lanyards. Many survival items can be created with paracord. The most popular cords can be found in our paracord projects article.

Experiment with other paracord weaving patterns to learn more techniques and improve your skills. Enjoy these projects, even if it takes time to weave the full paracord length (some may take you up to 4 hours). Begin with shorter cords to get used to the patterns.

Paracord Supplies

Below are some good paracord supply options.

Name	Price
West Coast Paracord 10 25 50 & 100 Foot Hanks & 250 300 1000 Spools Winder & Buckle Options Type III 7 Strand 550 Cord	Shop Here
Parachute 550 Cord Type III 7 Strand Paracord - 10 Feet, 25 Feet, 50 Feet, 100 Feet, 250 Foot	Shop Here
BORED? PARACORD! - Over 300 Colors 1', 10', 25', 50', 100' Hanks & 250', 1000' Spools of Parachute 550 Cord	Shop Here