Wrist Rocket or Hawaiian Sling

M

MisterE

Joined
Feb 9, 2000
Messages
14
Hi all.

I thought I'd put this to the group. How effective would a Wrist Rocket or similar slingshot be as a lightweight hunting and/or defensive weapon? I have seen folding models that wouldn't take up a lot of room. I also seem to recall a little wire attachment on Whammo sling shots which was billed as an "arrow adapter." I like the idea of using te slingshot to propell arrows as well as stones.

I guess if weight and/or space conditions required, simply packing the band or a length of surgical tubing and improvising a slingshot in the field.

That also reminds me of a primative speargun called a "hawaiian sling." Essentially, a spear is drawn back thru a hollow handle, pulling back on surgical rubber bands. (Think of stretching a rubber band over the hole in a spool, then pushing a pencil thru the hole until just the pointed end stickes out). Either a notch trigger is used or the user simply holds the spear in place and lets it go to shoot. (Thats how the Hawaiians did it).

I'm not saying that you should use a spool to propell a pencil, that was just my feeble attempt to explain the mechanics. What do you think of the hawaiian sling as a field-improvised hunting/defensive weapon? How would you modify this concept to make it more effective? How would you fabricate it in the field? Lets see some of this group's legendary creativity and ingenuity!
 
While I've never had any experience with the "Hawaiian Sling", I'm a big wrist rocket fan. My favorite ammo is .45 caliber lead balls intended for muzzle loaders, they really pack a whallop! I've killed a fair amount of small game and vermin with my wrist rockets. Stones have ballistic qualities that could be described as erratic, at best. I've also been fooling around with the old fashioned "David and Goliath" style sling. Haven't gotten anywhere near accurate, but I can chuck a golf ball sized rock an amazing distance with it. The wise take cover when I get the sling out!
 
I had gotten my fisrst sling shot when I was 4 years old, and it was a wrist rocket, In fact I still have it today. Now I have one of those fancy Barret (spelling) diablo slingshots. (I think, but I will tell you the name of it when I get home)

I love sling shots, they are really silent and fun to play with
 
It's a barnett cobra.

cobra.jpg

 
Interesting. Do you find it is noticeably more effective than a Wrist Rocket?
 
I play with a "compound" slingshot. They have the band attachment some 10-12" forward of the grip. My first one I got from Herter's. The current one is made by whammo, I think, and folds. It will put a .50 lead ball through an empty alum. can and is easier to shoot accurately than a standard wrist rocket. Bands wear out quickly.

I recommend learning to use the Goliath sling. This is the easiest to improvise of any projectile weapon.
 
You know, I think you're right. The box looks the same as when Whammo made them but I think there is a new name...is it Crossman?
 
The ancient type sling was a fantastic war weapon. You could line up dozens of partially trained, unarmored, troops, and launch a deadly rain of stones on an enemy hundreds of yards away.

As far as a single person hitting and killing a small target, you'd need a lot more practice than I (Notice David had God's help).

As for the larger (hawaiian sling?) I'd vote for an Atl-atl. I don't know how much I'd trust a large rubber band for an arrow or larger sized object. If you want to shoot pointy things, go for a crossbow. You can get itty-bitty ones that would take small game fantastically, and are not much larger than the sling-shots.


Stryver
 
The Roman Empire used Skirmishers and Slingers to harass the enemy. Their slingers were normally shepherds recruited from all over the empire. The slingshot being the traditional low-tech weapon used by shepherds to protect their flocks from wolves and dogs. Also being stuck on a hillside alone with a bunch of sheep gave plenty of time for practice from the age of 6-7 years old.

These slingers used specially cast lead shot often marked with the legion's number or the Latin equivallent of "ouch!" They were very accurate and could hit a selected enemy (on the head) at 200-300 yds, the tapered shot were bigger than a .50 cal. ball.

If you've ever tried to use on of these you will find that they are hideously inaccurate without vears of practice and would be next to useless in a survival situation, short of relieving boredom and possibly thining out a few innocent bytanders in the process
smile.gif


------------------
"I'm arm'd with more than complete steel - The justice of my quarrel." Christopher Marlowe
 
Slingers are very effective, but I would question the source you have that says an expert slinger can hit a man in the head at 200 - 300 yards. Try doing that with a muzzle-loader, and old-style cast shot. It ain't impossible, but it sure as heck is somewhere this side of easy... A sling is not as accurate as a gun, or even an arrow, but it is cheap, and easy to use en-masse.

Stryver
 
MrE,

One of Ron Hood's videos (I forget which one) shows an interesting adaptation of this idea. He uses a caribiner for the slingshot frame, ties surgical tubing to each side, and uses it to launch an arrow through the center of the caribiner.

[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 04-24-2000).]
 
There is a book and movie "Death Watch" by Robb White in which a duel is waged in the desert with the protagonist defending himself and surviving using very realistic methods and the only tool being his wristrocket and knowledge.

I was a wristrocket fan when too young to carry a rifle and used one to successfully hunt most types of small game. With good projectiles (lead balls of about 25-45 cal) it will kill any game smaller than deer and maybe even them with a good headshot.

Lately, I've rediscovered the wristrocket as a nice quiet plinker and frequently drop a folding model into my pocket when out fishing or hiking. Try one out and rememember what fun is.
 
When the weather's nice, my son and I take walks along the dirt roads near our home and shoot at targets of opportunity ( cans, etc.) with our wrist rockets. Great way to spend some time with your kid and improve your technique. A folding wrist rocket travels with me quite often, whether I'm at home in the country or in a city.
 
I have played with the shephred's sling a little bit, homemade even. let me tell you, a ounce and a half piece of lead can be thrown quite a long way. I have thrown one over 100yards, accurate, heck no
smile.gif
. I have also thrown one through a bedroom window
redface.gif
. With a little practice and using the sling in a overhand arc, I could hit a man sized target at 25 yards; but then again that was a couple of years ago too. Maybe I need to get that sling out again. Oh Lord, the glass repairman is getting happy. I'll have to get another real slingshot oneday, I got tired of the tubes breaking on my old cheap ones. A marble makes a good projectile too.

------------------
Know Yourself, Know Your Weapon, Know Your Enemy; then Know Victory! ---DaHaMac
 
The sling aint so hard. I've been using one for a little over 30 years and can throw well enough that I need very round ammo if you know what I mean.

Start with a short sling, maybe 18-20 inches. These have the most control/accuracy but the least power. Use ammo about the size of a golf ball. Golf balls work great but are expensive. A pile of river rocks will get you started.

The technique is impossible for me to describe but I'll try. Start with the one thong tied to your index finger and grip the other thong between thumb and index. Hold the pouch in front of you in the weak hand leading slightly with the weak side. Let go of the pouch and let it swing vertically around on your strong side and pass your throwing arm behind your head while swinging about a 45 degree circle on your weak side. Kind of a figure 8 with you in the middle. At the bottom of the weak side swing, with your hand behind your head, just throw it like a baseball pitcher. It is completed with 1-3/4 turns. It takes a while to get the technique but it's a very sharp learning curve. WARNING...Your first throws WILL fly wild!

A still bunny can be taken at 25 yds with a short sling and a door can be hit consistently at 125 yds with a long sling. Random lobs out to 200-250 are do-able. For an idea of the power, imagine being 25 yds downrange of Tiger Woods...

They can be made out of the top third of a pair of Wellingtons, canvas and twine, or braided from cordage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top