[Frisky]

Here's a question for you experts. Not too long ago, I was in a little woodlot, late at night. It was in town, but nobody was around. I took a shot with my plastic slingshot and it sounded like a .22 short going off! It was loud and harsh. It was more noticeable due to the quiet of the woods at night. About 150 yards away, a red fox took off at the shot. The next night, I went out with one of my wooden slingshots. It was dead quiet, so I took a shot. It was quiet and pleasant to shoot! I was thinking it was the bands, slightly tapered and cut from Theraband Gold. Later, I got to thinking it's the wood frame. I think they mute the noise when the bands slap the frame. Is this probably the case? It doesn't matter what wooden frame I shoot. They're much quieter shooting than plastic.

Joe

 

[Tobor8Man]

Interesting observation. I have been fooling around with natties lately and noticed the same thing - also bands that give me hand slaps on my plastic slingshots do not on my natties.

 

[Hoss]

My wooden slingshots do seem quieter than the other types that I have.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[Frisky]

I was patting myself on the back, thinking it was my band and pouch design. Super quiet and no hand slap! I'm now thinking wooden frames are probably quieting things up. I thought I'd run it past you guys, as the difference is very noticeable. I didn't pay too much attention to it until I shot, at night, under quiet conditions.

Joe

 

[Reed Lukens]

The thickness of the frames makes a big difference with absorbing the sound also but either way, plastic is noisy. G10, wood, aluminum & steel absorb sound also but if you're shooting a real thick Natural, compare them, wood is a natural sound absorber. I really notice the difference on my frames and a lot of it is the band set ups that I'm using that really make the most noise, but I shoot a lot of double and triple band set ups.

 

[Frisky]

So, it's probably a combination of the slower shooting bands and the chunky wooden frames. That would make sense. I appreciate the input.

Joe

 

[31610]

Could be a little bit of temp to . I noticed a good hot Ontario day high noon get them flats snapping.

 

[Alfred E.M.]

I don't have any wooden slingshots (don't want any) - the big majority of my frames are metal. When shooting tubes, the sound is muffled - almost ninja quiet, but snapping flats on a metal frame sounds like small firecrackers and sets off the neurotic neighbor mutt.

 

[31610]

I don't have any wooden slingshots (don't want any) - the big majority of my frames are metal. When shooting tubes, the sound is muffled - almost ninja quiet, but snapping flats on a metal frame sounds like small firecrackers and sets off the neurotic neighbor mutt.

yep I have some Dan Kung tubes make very little noise if really any hear the impact but no snap like flats

 

[Ordo]

This must be the most mesmerizing thread I've ever read.

 

[Tree Man]

If you want REALLY quiet, set up a natty with tabs.... almost silent. ( at least in my experience)

 

[Frisky]

Can you elaborate on tabs?

Joe

 

[Tree Man]

Can you elaborate on tabs?

Joe

Tabs are little bits of leather that are attached to the fork tips. You can then attach your preferred elastic to the tab. I prefer heavy leather, but parachord or microfiber works just as well.
Heres a video from our own Charles that explains everything really well.

 

[Frisky]

Oh! Now I remember seeing tabs! I thought they were a good idea! I have soft calfskin and a few other leather pieces and will try tabs this spring. Thanks!

Joe

 

[THWACK!]

The foam rubber frames are the quietest/stealthiest, and taste great with a little chocolate syrup.

...just sayin'...

THWACK!

 

[THWACK!]

Can you elaborate on tabs?

Joe

They're like Labs (see my avatar), but they're smaller...

THWACK!