[RSW]

Looking to get into the hobby. Very, very little experience (a "wrist rocket" when I was a kid that I probably fired less than half a dozen shots with ).

Here are the considerations....

- I'm right-handed.

- But I shoot left-eye dominant due to a lazy right eye.

- I don't have any problem pulling heavy bows, so strength isn't an issue.

- But my wrists aren't the best due to lots of tech work. So comfort / ergonomics is probably a bigger benefit than for most people.

- From what I'm reading so far, looking for something that works well with off-the-shelf bands and such.

- Looking for high durability so I can have this as a "just in case" thing for a prepper type scenario.

- Probably wanting to shoot 1/4" or 3/8" ball ammo.

I'm hoping y'all brilliant people have some good advice.

 

[JPD-Madrid]

Righ hand with left dominant eye is correct for aiming.
As a seller, my advice is, don't buy expensive slingshot but safe one. You may hit the fork and will have strong eager to find "most accurate or suitable " one for you. Buy or build a catch box to save your money on ammo.

Sent from my EML-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[SLINGDUDE]

HTS or Tac Hammer - www.pocketpredator.com

Scout or Axiom - www.simple-shot.com

 

[Ibojoe]

Only my opinion but I would start off with a Simple Shot Scout. They are very forgiving and will certainly take a lick. Accept no cheap copy's as they are known to break. Simple Shot.com is a good source of everything that you need, quality stuff and great service.
Faster than fast shipping too. Grab something and start having fun! And WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

I'll second (or third?) the Scout by Simple Shot. Not my favorite frame, but the thing is a workhorse. Sturdy, capable of being held in multiple styles, accommodating of bands or tubes, and able of shooting OTT or TTF, this is a great slingshot to experiment on, and learn your shooting preferences. Plus, they're really sharp looking and incredibly well made.

 

[Samurai Samoht]

Welcome to the forum!

https://simple-shot.com/slingshots/the-scout-slingshot

http://pocketpredator.com/tachammer.html (accepts the simple-shot Flip-Clips)

https://simple-shot.com/slingshots/hammer-bundle-xt-slingshot-head-lt-handle/

If the PocketPredator BoyScout was in stock I would recommend that one too since it has a more narrow grip, wider fork gap and also accepts Flip-Clips.

 

[Grandpa Grumpy]

I am going to suggest something different. I think the Barnett Strike 9 is a good starter slingshot. Trash the heavy tubes and gigantic pouch and replace them with decent tubes and pouch. The Strike 9 cost less than ten bucks at Walmart, it is a hammer grip that most beginners prefer, has low forks so you have little strain on your wrist. You are not going to damage it if you get a fork hit. It shoots tubes so you can easily make your own tube sets with a pair of scissors. No need for a rotary cutter or a self healing mat to cut flat bands on.

As I said get rid of the heavy tubes, spend the money you save not buying a Scout on some small dipped latex tubing and a few pouches from Simple Shot.

 

[SJAaz]

I would go with simple shot scout. They would set you up with 3/8 ammo, bands and pouch to match. Start with an easy draw weight.Work up to the fast stuff after you have learned to keep them all in the catch box which you are going to build. Start close and only move back as your ability grows. good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[RSW]

I am going to suggest something different. I think the Barnett Strike 9 is a good starter slingshot. Trash the heavy tubes and gigantic pouch and replace them with decent tubes and pouch. The Strike 9 cost less than ten bucks at Walmart, it is a hammer grip that most beginners prefer, has low forks so you have little strain on your wrist. You are not going to damage it if you get a fork hit. It shoots tubes so you can easily make your own tube sets with a pair of scissors. No need for a rotary cutter or a self healing mat to cut flat bands on.

As I said get rid of the heavy tubes, spend the money you save not buying a Scout on some small dipped latex tubing and a few pouches from Simple Shot.

Did some looking, and Barnett has a Black Widow that looks like the Strike 9 with a wrist brace. If I like the wrist brace style (I like how it takes a bit of the pressure off my hand, from previous experience), any reason to not get the Black Widow instead of the Strike 9?

https://www.barnettcrossbows.com/browse/slingshots/black-widow

 

[RSW]

Welcome to the forum!

https://simple-shot.com/slingshots/the-scout-slingshot

http://pocketpredator.com/tachammer.html (accepts the simple-shot Flip-Clips)

https://simple-shot.com/slingshots/hammer-bundle-xt-slingshot-head-lt-handle/

If the PocketPredator BoyScout was in stock I would recommend that one too since it has a more narrow grip, wider fork gap and also accepts Flip-Clips.

So with that last one, am I seeing correctly that if I got this as a "starter" slingshot I could swap out the handle later, or keep the handle and swap the head, swap bands, ... ? So "upgrades" would be a "one thing at a time" sort of deal?

 

[Samurai Samoht]

If a slingshot has a lower fork height the pressure on the wrist is minimal and can also be offset by a simple paracord lanyard. However, if you know that you are needing one with a wrist brace you could also consider this https://simple-shot.com/hammer-xt-slingshot-xt for a more universal slingshot. ( OTT, TTF, Flats, Tubes, Easy attachment etc.).

 

[Samurai Samoht]

Welcome to the forum!

https://simple-shot.com/slingshots/the-scout-slingshot

http://pocketpredator.com/tachammer.html (accepts the simple-shot Flip-Clips)

https://simple-shot.com/slingshots/hammer-bundle-xt-slingshot-head-lt-handle/

If the PocketPredator BoyScout was in stock I would recommend that one too since it has a more narrow grip, wider fork gap and also accepts Flip-Clips.

So with that last one, am I seeing correctly that if I got this as a "starter" slingshot I could swap out the handle later, or keep the handle and swap the head, swap bands, ... ? So "upgrades" would be a "one thing at a time" sort of deal?

If you would like yes. If you want a more comprehensive purchase check out the bundle section and sort out what you would prefer. Gets somewhat pricey though. https://simple-shot.com/slingshots/the-hammer/hammer-bundles/ .

 

[tm3]

The SS Scout is a great slingshot and I have seen it recommended more as a starter than probably all other options combined.

Another option that I would consider is the type referenced in post #21 of this thread:

https://slingshotforum.com/topic/118092-help-me-understand-the-release-please/page-2

I don't have any personal experience with those so I can't recommend a specific one. However, I can say that learning to align the slingshot correctly and consistently is a challenge and it looks to me as though the "box shaped" sights would be a big help.

 

[Grandpa Grumpy]

I am going to suggest something different. I think the Barnett Strike 9 is a good starter slingshot. Trash the heavy tubes and gigantic pouch and replace them with decent tubes and pouch. The Strike 9 cost less than ten bucks at Walmart, it is a hammer grip that most beginners prefer, has low forks so you have little strain on your wrist. You are not going to damage it if you get a fork hit. It shoots tubes so you can easily make your own tube sets with a pair of scissors. No need for a rotary cutter or a self healing mat to cut flat bands on.

As I said get rid of the heavy tubes, spend the money you save not buying a Scout on some small dipped latex tubing and a few pouches from Simple Shot.

Did some looking, and Barnett has a Black Widow that looks like the Strike 9 with a wrist brace. If I like the wrist brace style (I like how it takes a bit of the pressure off my hand, from previous experience), any reason to not get the Black Widow instead of the Strike 9?

https://www.barnettcrossbows.com/browse/slingshots/black-widow

No reason not to get the Black Widow if you prefer a wrist brace. A wrist brace is not really needed as slingshot draw weight should be relatively light - less than 10 pounds, probably more in the 6 to 7 pound range.

 

[Hulla Baloo]

Welcome! :wave: You really can't go wrong with the Scout, but a purist will tell you that upon your rebirth, you should make your first one. It's far more rewarding than a purchase and it's not too difficult. Don't deny yourself this rite of passage- we have so few left as adults... The guy who will sell you the Scout tells you how to craft a natural here:

 

[devils son in law]

Hulla Baloo beat me to it!! Go find a natural fork and slap some bands on it. I know the purchased one's have that eye candy allure but they shoot basically the same.

 

[MakoPat]

Welcome to the forum.

You are in the right place.

Ere'body has already said ere'thing.

So allow me to sum up.

1. Make a catchbox.
2. Get the scout (or similar frame) due to the ability to explore a wide variety of shooting styles.
3. Definitely make some Slingshots/order some 2040 tubes and/or premade band sets of various strengths.
4. Have fun...take ypur time though.

My addition is simple- even though you are strong, learn the basic with light seaw weight so that you develop solid & proper form (plus it is really fun.)

 

[Pebble Shooter]

In terms of durability and the ammo size you mention, this may fit the bill quite nicely:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32982896542.html?storeId=4920028&spm=2114.12010612.8148356.53.22863047l7KLRk

"Chasing dragon" style frame, 304 stainless steel forks (50 mm fork gap) and a quality hardwood grip, rapid flat band attachment clamps with screws, fiber optic sights, and great ergonomics: one you master the right shooting techniques, groupings of 1.5 to 2 inch groups at 10 yards will become quite regular. Practice, practice, and practice... :hmm:

This particular slingshot, ordered at the link shown above (reliable online seller), has become my daily practice slingshot using 8 mm ammo and "Precise" brand 0.55 mm flat bands cut to 22 cm length and tapered from 20 to 12 mm (cheekbone-based anchor point shooting style).

Least but not last, you can purchase larger quantities of ready made sets of flat bands and steel ammo at Aliexpress: free shipping, but you will have to wait roughly 3-4 weeks for your order to arrive.

My 2 cents worth...

 

[Blue Raja]

RSW -

Welcome to the forum.

Lots of good advice so far. I also arrived here from archery. Pulling a bow is very different than gripping an ergo (non-wrist braced) slingshot. I started with a wrist-rocket and then switched over to an ergo. My first one was a Pocket Predator Hathcock Target Sniper, which I enjoyed and continue to shoot. However, it took a lot of practice and some work with a pair of spring hand-grippers to develop my grip strength. You can find information about this on Bill Hays' web site (pocketpredator.com) also some products to help with grip strength.

I am a fan of larger ammo - I do not shoot anything under 3/8 and actually prefer 5/8" marbles from the dollar store.

Here's my advice:

While you are poking around Bill's site, check out his Predator Smart Clamps, designed to attached a flat band or a modern tube to a wire framed slingshot (that is, a wrist rocket).

Bill sells a "good quality wrist braced slingshot" as an option with the smart clamps. Bill will even ship it banded if you leave a note at check-out.

For a one-stop shopping solution, I would buy the following from Bill:

Predator Smart Clamps - $5.95 https://www.pocketpredator.com/three.html

Wrist Rocket - $9.95 https://www.pocketpredator.com/three.html and scroll to the last option on the drop down menu for the smart clamps

pre-made band-sets $1.95 for 1 or $17.95 for 10

1 pound of 3/8 steel shot (about 125) for $2.95

safety glasses - $4.95

That gives you a complete set-up, including safety glasses, ammo, and lots of bands, for about the price of a Scout. Build a catch box (lots of information on the forum) and practice - a lot!

 

[Flatband]

Well, first off-Welcome to the Forum! As far as a first ( starter slingshot ), if you have problem wrists, I would go with a wrist-braced design.

My own choice would be a Saunders Falcon 2 with the black flat bands. As far as a traditional ( non-wrist braced ) you can't go wrong getting a Simple Shot Poly Axiom.

Very good slingshot and the price is right ( around $20 ). There are many others to choose from that would fit the bill. Take your time, read the many posts, then when ready-go for it.

It's a great sport that is growing every day. Have Fun!