I've been running the same old basic webbing for a while now, so putting together this gat monkey sling review felt like the perfect excuse to finally upgrade my setup and see if the hype around these minimalist slings is actually justified. If you've spent any time looking for a new way to carry your rifle, you've probably seen these pop up. They're known for their wild patterns and simple designs, but I wanted to know if they actually hold up when you're doing more than just taking photos for Instagram.
When you first pull a Gat Monkey sling out of the package, the first thing that hits you isn't the tech—it's the look. I went with a classic M81 Woodland pattern because I'm a sucker for the classics, but they have everything from Hawaiian prints to desert night cam. However, a sling that looks cool but functions poorly is just a necklace for your rifle, and nobody wants that. After spending a few weeks with it, I've got some thoughts on how it actually performs in the dirt.
First Impressions and the "Minimalist" Vibe
The whole philosophy behind this design is "less is more." If you're used to those massive, heavily padded slings that feel like you're wearing a backpack strap around your neck, this is going to be a bit of a shock. It's a 1-inch wide nylon strap, and that's pretty much it. There's no thick foam, no bulky plastic buckles hanging off the side, and very little excess "fluff."
At first, I was a little worried about the lack of padding. I've carried heavy rifles on 12-hour days before, and thin straps usually dig into your traps like a cheese wire. But the nylon used here is surprisingly soft. It has a "broken-in" feel right out of the gate. It's not stiff or abrasive, which is a huge plus if you're wearing it against your neck while just wearing a T-shirt.
The Adjustment Mechanism
The make-or-break point of any two-point sling is how easily you can adjust the tension. If you can't quickly transition from a tight, "hands-free" carry to a loose, "ready-to-fire" position, the sling is useless. In this gat monkey sling review, I really wanted to hammer on the pull-tab system.
It uses a metal cam buckled system with a small corded pull tab. To tighten it, you pull the tab forward. To loosen it, you pull the tab back toward your body. It sounds simple because it is. In practice, it's one of the smoothest adjustments I've used. Some slings tend to bind up if you aren't pulling at the exact right angle, but this one seems pretty forgiving. I didn't find myself fighting the material even when it got a little dusty.
The metal hardware is a nice touch, too. A lot of companies are moving toward all-polymer hardware to save weight, but there's something reassuring about metal. It feels like it can take a hit against a barricade without snapping into three pieces.
On the Range: Movement and Transitions
I took this out for a few drills to see how it handled transitions. Dropping the rifle to switch to a sidearm is the ultimate test of comfort for a non-padded sling. Since there's no padding to catch on your plate carrier or chest rig, the sling slides across your body very freely. This is actually a major advantage. Padded slings can sometimes get "stuck" on cordura or Velcro, but the Gat Monkey just glides.
However, the lack of padding does have a downside. If you're running a heavy 10-pound piston-driven rifle with a suppressor and a massive optic, you're going to feel it after an hour. This sling is definitely geared toward lighter builds or for people who prioritize mobility over long-term static comfort. If you're hiking ten miles with a heavy DMR, you might miss the cushion. But for a standard carbine? It's plenty comfortable.
One thing I noticed during transitions is that the pull tab is easy to find without looking. It stays in a relatively consistent spot, and the texture of the cord makes it easy to grab even with gloves on. That's a detail a lot of people overlook until they're fumbling around in the dark or under stress.
Durability: Can It Handle the Abuse?
I'm not particularly nice to my gear. I don't believe in "safe queens," and I think if you buy a sling, you should be able to drag it through the mud. The stitching on the Gat Monkey is heavy-duty. Every stress point is reinforced, and I haven't seen any fraying at the edges of the nylon after snagging it on branches and gear.
The color retention seems solid so far, too. Some cheaper printed slings start to fade or "white out" where the adjustment buckle rubs against the fabric. So far, the M81 pattern on mine looks as vibrant as the day I got it. It's clearly not just a cheap screen print; the dye seems to be deep in the fibers.
I also appreciate that they didn't overcomplicate the ends of the sling. It comes as a "cut-to-length" style with open ends, meaning you can add your own QD swivels, hooks, or just loop it through your stock. I threw some Magpul QDs on mine, and it took about two minutes to get the length dialed in.
Comparing It to the Big Names
It's hard to do a gat monkey sling review without mentioning the heavy hitters like the Blue Force Gear Vickers or the Ferro Concepts Slingster. Compared to the Vickers, the Gat Monkey is much more streamlined. The Vickers feels "tactical" and heavy-duty, while the Gat Monkey feels "fast" and light.
Compared to the Slingster, it's a closer match. The Slingster also has a great adjustment pull, but some people find the metal hardware on the Slingster can actually scratch up the finish on their rifle. The Gat Monkey hardware is a bit lower profile and hasn't caused any "battle scars" on my receiver yet, though I'm sure it eventually will if I'm reckless enough.
The biggest "selling point" over the competitors, though, is the variety. Let's be honest—half of the reason we buy gear is because we like the way it looks. Most companies give you Black, Coyote, and maybe Ranger Green. Gat Monkey gives you those, plus about fifty other options. It's a cool way to personalize a rifle without sacrificing the quality of the component.
Is There Anything I Didn't Like?
Nothing is perfect, right? If I had to nitpick, I'd say that the "tail" of the sling can get a bit long if you're a smaller person. Since it's a universal fit, you end up with some excess webbing once you've adjusted it to your size. You'll definitely want to trim the excess and sear the edges with a lighter once you know where you want it. If you don't, you'll have a 10-inch strip of nylon flapping in the wind.
Also, as I mentioned before, if you are strictly looking for "all-day comfort" for a heavy weapon system, the lack of padding is a factor. It's a trade-off. You trade comfort for a lower profile and better movement. For me, that's a trade I'm willing to make 90% of the time, but it's something to keep in mind.
Final Thoughts
After putting it through its paces, I'm genuinely impressed. It's easy to dismiss "boutique" gear as being all style and no substance, but this sling actually performs. It's simple, the hardware is robust, and the adjustment is as smooth as anything else on the market.
Whether you're building a "clone" rifle and need a specific camo pattern, or you just want a reliable, no-nonsense sling that doesn't bulk up your setup, this is a solid choice. It does exactly what it's supposed to do: it keeps your rifle attached to you and gets out of the way when it's time to work.
If you're on the fence, I'd say go for it. It's a relatively small investment for a piece of gear that you'll likely use every single time you go to the range. Plus, let's be real—your rifle will look way better in photos. Just make sure you take the time to melt those ends after you trim it, and you'll have a piece of gear that lasts for years.