07/15/2019 / By Zoey Sky
Slingshots are often associated with young children playing pranks. But with enough practice, preppers can turn simple slingshots into powerful self-defense and hunting weapons. (h/t to UrbanSurvivalSite.com)
Old-fashioned slingshots were usually made with rubber inner tubes secured to sturdy Y-shaped pieces of wood. After World War II, they became more popular as commercially manufactured slingshots were offered in stores.
Manufactured slingshots like the Wrist Rocket elevated the slingshot from being a toy to a legitimate hunting weapon.
DIY slingshots made with surgical tubing instead of rubber inner tubes have greater accuracy and inertia. Small ball bearings also surged in popularity as ammunition. (Related: 5 Everyday items you can use to protect yourself in a dangerous situation.)
The design of homemade and manufactured slingshots have the same basic characteristics. Slingshots have a forked branch that’s used as a handle, with two uprights in a Y-shape that holds an elastic band attached to a pouch that launches your ammo.
Tools:
Materials:
Two uprights that form a gap to hold the elastic bands. The uprights must be set far apart so you can easily launch your ammo.
Find a tree branch that creates a fork. Maple is a popular choice because this wood is hard. Use wood from green trees because they’re stronger than dead wood. Avoid softwoods (e.g., pines), springy woods (e.g., willows), and weaker woods (e.g., boxelder).
Saw the branches into a slingshot shape. Leave the bark on the slingshot, or shave it off if you want a smoother grip. Once you peel the outer bark, hold your knife vertical to the branch then scrape off the green, inner cambium, which is a layer of slippery bark still stuck to the branch.
Dry or season the green wood for your slingshot frame. Carefully roast it over a fire. Alternatively, you can leave the wood as is. In time, the slingshot frame will season itself.
Other materials for your frame include metal or plastic.
Elastic material
You need a material that will stretch, e.g., strips of rubber inner tubes or surgical tubing, and deliver enough force when released to propel the ammo.
Pouch
The pouch will hold and launch your ammo. Use material like canvas, inner tube, or leather.
Ammo
It is best to use smooth and round projectiles, such as ball bearings or small pebbles. Ball bearings are ideal because they have a consistent size and weight. Ball bearings are also aerodynamic, which can improve your accuracy. Alternatively, you can use marbles.
In an SHTF scenario, you may want to use small pebbles. If you run out of ball bearings, search for small, round stones. Avoid flat rocks or those with angular surfaces. Irregular shapes will affect the aerodynamics of your projectile, which can make you miss your target.
Materials for attaching elastic to the slingshot frame.
Your options include baling wire, dental floss, electrical tape, friction tape, or twine.
This type of slingshot is easy to make. Rubber bands don’t have enough firepower as surgical tubing, but they can still propel a stone far enough if you use bundled rubber bands.
Slingshots look harmless but like other weapons, you need to learn how to use them properly so you don’t hurt others or damage property.
When SHTF, make a slingshot so you have access to a simple yet effective long-range weapon.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: bug in, bug out, Collapse, disaster, DIY, how-to, off grid, personal safety, prepping, self-defense, SHTF, slingshots, survival, survival skills, Survival Tips, survival tools, weapons, wilderness survival
COPYRIGHT © 2018 SURVIVALGEAR.NEWS
All content posted on this site is protected under Free Speech. SurvivalGear.news is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. SurvivalGear.news assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. All trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.