Slingshots and other 'simple' weapons
 

It is indeed getting rather slow around these parts lately, and I was thinking of something that might get peoples posting juices flowing.

I don't know much about slingshots except that it is a relatively ancient and effective weapon, and extremely cheap to own and use.

My first thought was that this would be an excellent way to handle urban varmits without the undo attention of a sonic boom or explosion.

Anyone have experience with them or perhaps tips, observations, or precautions?

Care to share?

Depending on how this one goes I might start a thread dedicated to the yo-yo and the boomerang. I'm kidding, but feel free to opine on those and others as well.

-bear

Re: Slingshots and other 'simple' weapons
 

Check your bands carefully. Some of the higher power models will maim you if the bands break...

Slingshots are a hella weapon- silent, and potentialy lethal at close quarters, they are also cheap- and will handily propell an arrow if you choose to- do check the bands as mentioned earlier, and remember that rocks work, but steel shot (or lead sinkers ) are far better for small game. Realy this is an underrated survival tool that I cant say enough good things about- In my early teen years I was able to shoot a coperhead Mid strike, so I can personaly recomend it as a companion for a walk in the woods.

My friends and I made all sorts of slingshots when we were kids. We'd usually shoot rocks, but steel shot or marbles were best.

Shooting mini-marshmallows at each other is alot of fun.

Until I got a hunting slingshot, I never thought a marble could damage a tree. I also never thought that they could be so accurate. I think that it's a lost art that should be revived.

I think my most important slingshot lesson was to not shoot into a pile of shit cause it will splatter EVERYWHERE...

I still have an old wrist-rocket around somewhere. Never really messed with it much. Too many kid sI know got into waaay too much trouble with em. I spent more time with firearms as a result.

When I was a kid my Dad made me a slingshot out of a piece of wood and an inner-tube. First thing I did with it was to put a rock through the humming bird feeder.

on the subject of simple weapons anybody out there play with an atlatl- its a lever with a crooked end into which you fit a javelin and realy increase the leverage of the throw- played around with a crude one several years ago and was frankly scared by how much power that thing adds to the throw- thinking of building another, and putting some thought into it this time- with a little luck you can send a light spear (when I say light think giant arrow on roids) about a football fields length

Seen atlatls before but never played with one. Having "used" an old-fashioned sling and thus realized that hand-eye coordination gained by years of shooting does not translate to any sort of ability with any other ranged weapon, I am fairly leery of any sort of ranged weapon that doesn't go bang.

I would love to see it in action, and try one. If you do rebuild, take pics or make sketches. Keep us updated, please.

I'd think making the javelin would be more difficult then the atlatl.

not realy- an atlatl javelin is basicly a big ole arrow- and standard field points/ broadheads can be made to work- for the shaft thin dowels rods will work- need to experiment on that again, but right now its too damn cold- even got a range to take it to- local american legion has a public park incl. an archery range, and are used to crazy SCA guys with crossbow and spear projects....

wrist rocket: n. 1. underrated weapon of slingshot design that can take out almost any form of grounded animal life (human included) from up to 20 yards. takes ball bearings or other similar ammunition. 2. death to small animals, varmints, and unwary children. 3. hilarious fun, if used correctly.

Blowguns have always been fun.

I always pack a wrist rocket and some ammo when backpacking. It's a very effective defensive weapon if you should need it, and you can have fun for hours playing with it.

Also, you can fire nearly anything through it with good effect. Nice loose dirt clods are fun to shoot friends with. =)

Is it possible to kill stray cats with a slingshot? I'm currently in need of a silent offensive tool.

Absolutely.

Very few organisms of the animal variety would be completely immune to death by a well placed, high enough mass and velocity projectile originating from a slingshot.

It all depends on the hunter I suppose.

-bear