Slingshot as part of Survival kit?

G

GunnerP

Joined
Oct 6, 2009
Messages
133
Just wondering if anyone else has thought of the humble slingshot (or Catapult as us Brits call it) as an addition to a survival kit/bug out bag.
Historically used as a Poachers weapon here, due to its ease of concealment, and silent operation.

The one I own uses Theraband Gold flatbands. 12mm lead shots are recommended as the ideal ammuniton for small game. Capable of 210fps That’s 18ftlbs.

I have used 9.5mm steel balls for practice. Set up a catchbox and hung an old T shirt inside. After about 20 shots, I was hitting the shirt consistantly from around 20 yards. I pinned on a home made target and this was the grouping for 15 shots (All 15 hit the shirt, 9 hit the paper) The outer circle is 6 inches across.


target.jpg


Quite a strong pull is required, thus making aimed shots a bit tricky. I had much more success with quick 'snap' shots once Id got used to it.

In countrys (like the UK) where handguns are illegal, and other firearms very hard to virtually impossible to obtain, I think a slingshot offers a cheap viable alternative.
In my opinion, Its size, and the fact that ammunition is plentyful lend it ideally to being a part of a bug out/survival pack.

What do you guys think?

P
 
There is a show on the History Channel titled 'Top Shot'. During this show, one of the competitions pitted two players against each other in a shootoff with a slingshot. A very interesting show that pits various competitive or able shooters against each other using a variety of weapons. They were fairly accurate with the slingshot once they had some practice time. Not to mention, seems like with a slingshot, you can use almost anything as a projectile.
 
Great work!

In the USA, lots of people are hung up on firearms, but I like pump BB guns / pellet guns as well as bows and slingshots, too.

The "wrist rocket" style slingshot is quite popular and has a folding wrist stock that prevents the uprights from being torqued back - replacing the bands with stronger (and harder pull) bands is also a popular mod.
 
i think its a great idea. i used a wrist rocket as a teen to take many squirrels and rabbits. with practice a steel ball bearing will easily take them down.

take it easy
cricket
 
I think it sucks that you live in a world where you can't own a handgun.

No offense.

Slingshot is a great idea. I've had similar thoughts on this lately, however I would not carry shot with me (avoid the extra weight). I understand that assymetric pebbles and such will make accuracy difficult but at least I'd have the option. the fact that I was able to kill squirrels/birds as a youngin makes me feel confident that I can still do so as an adult. Practice makes perfect though and all I own at the moment is a heavy slingshot band. It's light and if the need ever arose I could easily fashion a Y-frame.

I'm just glad I don't have to do that to protect myself and my family.
 
I've been thinking the last couple years of adding a slingshot to my survival/hunting kit. But the wrist-rocket style slingshots are illegal in NYS.

Now I am kind of stuck between whether I want a slingshot, or a pump pellet pistol in my kit. Between that, and I don't have the cash to buy either.


Check out some of this guys slingshots...
 
The only problem I have with slingshots is that you have to maintain the elastic or tubing or whatever you use meticulously. It rots out or dries out so fast that eventually they'll just snap. I think a david and goliath style sling will last longer and treat you better in the end, but they are EXTREMELY skill intensive. Really, it'd be worth becoming proficient at. Quail, squirrels, rabbits, you name it.
 
I've been thinking of getting a wrist rocket at Dicks Sports and give it a go. My Crosman air rifle is powerful and accurate, but not easy to carry/conceal.

@Stealthchaser...there are many moving parts that could break or jam on an air pistol...the only thing on a slingshot that will go is the band most likely, and even if the slingshot structure itself snaps for some reason, you've still got the band you can use with a handmade structure...if your air pistol breaks, your left with a handful of BBs!
 
I too carry a sling shot in my basic survival kit. I carry only the band though. I figure it could be used in concert w/ natural materials. The tubing is also a highly useful multi-use item.
 
cricketdave said:
i think its a great idea. i used a wrist rocket as a teen to take many squirrels and rabbits. with practice a steel ball bearing will easily take them down.

take it easy
cricket
Click to expand...

That has been my experience. 1/2 inch diam. steel ball bearings or cylindrical bearings that are 1/4 inch diam. but about 3/4 inch in length. Then up to .45 - 50 cal. lead balls.

stealthchaser13 said:
I've been thinking the last couple years of adding a slingshot to my survival/hunting kit. But the wrist-rocket style slingshots are illegal in NYS.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they are. And it's really a shame. Seems that some States have some really bizarre ideas about crime and priorities.

PayetteRucker said:
The only problem I have with slingshots is that you have to maintain the elastic or tubing or whatever you use meticulously. It rots out or dries out so fast that eventually they'll just snap.
Click to expand...

You don't really have to maintain them at all. You have to keep them out of direct sunlight for long periods of time. All that means is you don't carry it on the outside of your pack. Carry it on the inside. At about $1.97 or $2.97 a set, you can have a half dozen or more in your bag, no problem.

I think a david and goliath style sling will last longer and treat you better in the end, but they are EXTREMELY skill intensive. Really, it'd be worth becoming proficient at. Quail, squirrels, rabbits, you name it.
Click to expand...

They are skill-intensive. Staff-sling is a bit easier and you can always have a staff/hiking stick with you and a couple (David) slings.

However, swinging around a large piece of cordage with a pouch on the end is going to spook a lot of small game, too.

s500yards said:
I too carry a sling shot in my basic survival kit. I carry only the band though. I figure it could be used in concert w/ natural materials. The tubing is also a highly useful multi-use item.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is. You can use it for traps when there are no saplings to use, for example.
 
Last edited:
I see the appeal but I don't have one in mine because my accuracy with the things is abysmal. I would literally have a better chance throwing rocks than hitting small game with one of those.

On the other hand I do have a Crosman 1377 pump pneumatic air pistol that I could probably take very small game with pretty reliably. It's a lot bulkier and heavier than rubber bands, but it's would certainlly fit in an average backpack.
 
Well they can be useful and I liked 'em since I was a kid. And I think that Dave Canterbury even explained how to get bigger game with 'em
 
Slingshots are great survival items and are among my favorite firearm alternatives.

You can even go crazy with it and modify one to shoot arrows straight enough to hunt deer with.

I've just recently made myself and old fashioned sling. Those things can be very powerful but it takes a lot more practice to be acurate. That's one of the things I really like about it.
 
DH1 said:
@Stealthchaser...there are many moving parts that could break or jam on an air pistol...the only thing on a slingshot that will go is the band most likely, and even if the slingshot structure itself snaps for some reason, you've still got the band you can use with a handmade structure...if your air pistol breaks, your left with a handful of BBs!
Click to expand...

I know...I have a pump air rifle...the pistol I was thinking of getting is the Crosman 1377 classic...my only problem with pellet gun v. slingshot is the pellet gun is noisy.
 
The slingshot modification that Canterbury shows in the video is pretty cool.
I made something similar a few years ago, but the purpose wasn't for hunting but for putting ropes up into trees for hanging food (we eat well :o )

357e6331.jpg


The guide was made from a cheap dollar store cutting board. It works quite well, although I never tried it for target accuracy.

I also make slings out of jute, so if you can't hit anything, you can take it apart for tinder. :rolleyes:

Coyossling2.jpg


Doc
 
stealthchaser13 said:
I know...I have a pump air rifle...the pistol I was thinking of getting is the Crosman 1377 classic...my only problem with pellet gun v. slingshot is the pellet gun is noisy.
Click to expand...

Hey Doc. All is not lost. I used to have (Made in England) a BSA 20mm pellet rifle. The really cool thing about it was that it had a built in *Suppresor*!!! And was super quiet. I gotta say its bigger than a pistol, but it sure was cool. Bought at sportmans wearhouse. But pricey $395.00 This is the people of the good ole England's idea of having as close to a firearm (890 fpc) as one could have, and as quiet as it was, I guess good for poching a few birds, rabbits, ect. I'm gonna see if I still have a pic of that somewhere? Enjoy. edgy :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top