It’s probably a safe bet that if you are reading this guide then you’ve had some fond memories of flinging rocks out of a sling shot or wrist rocket. These tools are not just for children they are a valuable survival tool as well. The simple and classic slingshot is virtually silent, can launch a variety of projectiles, and in the right hands is lethal to small game, in other words the slingshot is a worthy addition to any survival kit.
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#1 Survival Slingshot
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SKIP AHEAD
Best Survival Slingshots – My Picks
1. Best Survival Slingshot Overall – Scout Review
This is a slingshot that does not have an arm brace but for how well designed and sturdy it is I’m not sure that it actually needs it. Definitely a slingshot that is designed for hunting and survival since it is able to use virtually any slingshot bands that are commercially available. Made and designed in the USA from high quality polycarbonate with a design that is geared to making this slingshot comfortable to shoot no matter what size your hands are.
Specifications
- Polycarbonate construction
- Able to fit any slingshot bands
- Made in the USA
- Comes with a flat band
Pros
- Simple design and operation
- Able to use any style of slingshot band
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No arm brace
- Forks are not metal
Customer Sentiment
Customers really like this slingshot and the only negative reviews were about quality control issues or receiving a broken or incomplete slingshot.
Verdict
This is about as good as it gets for a survival slingshot. You can throw this in your day pack, survival kit, or bug out bag and know that you have a good solid slingshot should you need it. The absence of stabilizers or arm brace should not be too much of an issue with some practice and good shooting form. Whether it is for hunting, survival, or destroying beer cans this is a great option.
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#1 Survival Slingshot
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2. Top Slingshot For Hunting – Barnett Outdoors Diablo Slingshot Review
This is a definite premium level slingshot. The Diablo comes with both an arm brace and three stabilizers which are removable in case you want it to fit in your pack or kit. This slingshot much like the other Barnett on this list has a sighting system which can aid in the weapons accuracy. In this case the sight is actually adjustable which is a definite bonus. With an ergonomic soft grip, triple stabilizers and a the arm brace this slingshot offers a very stable shooting platform which would be advantageous for hunting or target shooting.
Specifications
- Arm brace
- Triple weighted stabilizers
- Adjustable sighting system
- Magnum power bands
Pros
- Three stabilizers
- Arm brace
- Adjustable sight
Cons
- Quite large so not suited for bug out bags or small kits
Customer Sentiment
Customers like that this slingshot has weighted stabilizers and an arm brace to create a solid platform for shooting. There seems to be mixed feelings about the adjustable sights and there are negative reviews relating to the pouch and bands breaking. There are also the usual negative reviews surrounding quality control problems but overall people seem to be happy with this slingshot.
Verdict
This is a good pick because the stabilizers and the arm brace provide a good stable platform and the sight could be useful depending on the aiming method that you use. This particular slingshot has a fair amount of parts to it though, which could be a negative to some people. For a slingshot to walk around slaying small game this is a great option to consider.
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3. Survival Slingshot for Hunting – Runner Up – Barnett Outdoors Cobra Slingshot Stabilizer + Brace Review
This is a slingshot that was meant to launch projectiles faster and with great accuracy. The arm brace will do a good job of locking the slingshot on to your arm and the front stabilizer helps out much in the same way that a front stabilizer on a compound bow. This slingshot also has a sighting system that when combined with the stabilization of the arm rest and the front stabilizer make this a great option for engaging long range targets.
Specifications
- Arm brace and front stabilizer
- Comes with two bands
- Sighting system
- Soft cushioned grip
- Arm brace is removable
Pros
- Powerful and accurate
- Has integrated sighting system
- Arm brace and front stabilizer
- Includes extra band
Cons
- Does not fold down
- Front stabilizer is not removable
- No ammo storage
Customer Sentiment
Customers like the fact that this slingshot comes with the sighting system and is powerful and accurate. The complaints that seem the most prevalent revolve around the bands wearing out too quickly and some quality control issues.
Verdict
Because the Barnett Cobra does not break down (aside from the arm brace) I was forced to place this in the hunting slingshot category as it would just not fit in a bug out bag, survival kit, or hunting pack. This is also why it was demoted to runner up rather than being the top pick. However, if you want something to walk around the woods with hunting small game this one is worth a look.
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4. Slingshot for a Bug Out Bag – Torque Slingshot Review
Don’t let its small size fool you, this is another versatile weapon. Just like the Scout this slingshot is made from polycarbonate and accepts any bands. Unlike the Scout this particular slingshot has an interesting profile to the handle, and comes with a looped band rather than a flat or typical tubular bands. The handle is designed to provide comfort when using a variety of shooting positions such as side shooting. Since it is so small it is a great option for bug out bags or pocket carry.
Specifications
- Made from polycarbonate
- Made in the USA
- Handle profile designed for multiple shooting styles
- Able to accommodate any bands
Pros
- Can use any bands
- Made from durable polycarbonate
- Handle is designed for different shooting styles
Cons
- No arm brace
- Size and design make it not a good choice for beginners
Customer Sentiment
There are very few negative reviews for this slingshot. The majority of customers are very happy with their purchase and the only negative sentiments are in regards to the usual quality control issues that any company seems to have.
Verdict
This is a perfect slingshot for a bug out bag. Being only 5 5/8” tall it is a small package that will pack the punch that you would need and expect from your survival slingshot. The small size, unique shape, and the absence of an arm brace make this a slingshot that is not for beginners.
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5. Best Pocket Survival Slingshot – The Pocket Shot Review
This is a very interesting slingshot because it does not conform to the usual form that a slingshot takes. Instead, it is a ring with a rubber pocket attached to one side of it. Ammunition is placed inside the rubber which is pulled back with one hand while holding and aiming with the other. The Pocket Shot comes with a screw on lid so you can keep all your ammunition inside when not in use. This is a good option for pocket carry because of its small size and with practice it could be a worthy and lethal weapon.
Specifications
- Measures 2.3” x 1.3” when closed
- Includes a screw on lid
- Includes two pouches
- Can shoot up to 350 feet per second
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Simple to operate
- Can be used to store ammo when not in use
- Comes with a spare pouch
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No arm brace
- Can be difficult to aim
Customer Sentiment
Customer reviews have been mostly positive with most negative reviews being mostly in regards to the Pocket Shot being difficult to aim or that the user had the ammo hit their fingers while shooting. Some other complaints were in regards to the pouches wearing out too quickly.
Verdict
This is an interesting addition to the list that definitely has its place. The best application for this particular slingshot is for pocket carry or for throwing in a survival kit, bug out bag, or tackle box. I wouldn’t trust this for dedicated hunting but for an emergency survival situation or just some target practice or recreational small game hunting or vermin control its a good option.
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6. Best Budget Slingshot – Overall Marksman 3030 Traditional Slingshot Review
It does not get any simpler or inexpensive than this one. I’m sure that if you were to poll most survivalists and outdoors men and women you would probably find that most of them started off with a slingshot just like this one. It does not include an arm brace or stabilizers, and the handle does not have ammo storage, but the plastic handle is ergonomically contoured with finger groves to made holding it more comfortable.
Specifications
- Metal forks with a plastic handle
- Uses tapered hyper-velocity bands
- Has a magnetic pouch
- No arm brace or stabilizers
Pros
- Simple and inexpensive
- Classic slingshot design
Cons
- No arm brace
- Can only accept tubular bands
- No handle ammo storage
Customer Sentiment
Most customers are happy with their purchase probably because they did not expect more out of this product than can be expected of it. The negative reviews were mostly regarding the bands or leather pouches tearing or snapping.
Verdict
This is a great budget option for a first slingshot or a slingshot that will not hurt the wallet too bad if lost or broken. For the price you get what you pay for and don’t expect a whole lot of hard use out of it.
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7. Budget Slingshot – Runner Up – Daisy B52 Slingshot Review
The Daisy slingshot is another one of those classic products that bring back fond childhood memories of walking around flinging rocks at damn near anything. This model comes with an arm brace which is a good addition to make shooting more accurate. Sporting a metal frame with a moulded plastic handle and a folding arm rest this is a good option for thrown in packs, kits or even a tackle box.
Specifications
- Metal frame with plastic handle
- Tubular bands
- Arm brace
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Able to fold up for fitting in a pack
- Inexpensive
- Comes with an arm brace
Cons
- Only accepts tubular bands
- No stabilizers
Customer Sentiment
As with the other budget model on this list customers are happy with this sling shot probably because they knew its limitations going in to the purchase. Negative reviews centre around the usual issues of quality control and the bands breaking
Verdict
This is another great budget option for a first slingshot or for an application where you may end up loosing it. I personally would not trust either of these budget options for dedicated small game hunting as there are far better options for that application on this list.
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What to look for in a Survival Slingshot
There are three main components to consider when selecting a survival sling shot, handle, band, and the arm brace.
Handle
This is how you hold the slingshot and where the forks are attached to, so it is pretty important that it be well made and functional. One factor to consider is the material that the handle is constructed of. Metal handles although tough will become very cold in winter weather while plastic handles will be more comfortable and light but cheap plastics can become brittle in sub-zero conditions. Some slingshots even have wooden handles.
An interesting feature to look at is having a hollow handle to store ammo in but this will come at the cost of durability in the long run.
Band
There are several options for bands these days and some slingshots come with multiple bands instead of the traditional single band setup. What it basically comes down to is flat bands versus tubular bands. Regardless of the style slingshot bands are usually made out of rubber. Flat bands are generally thought to be faster but wear quicker while tubular bands have greater longevity.
As with a lot of things band style comes down to personal preference.
Arm Brace
This is something that actually makes a fairly significant difference when shooting. The addition of an arm brace stabilizes the slingshot and provides a better platform in which to shoot from. When a slingshot has an attached arm brace it is often referred to as a wrist rocket rather than a slingshot. Arm braces will help increase the power and accuracy of the slingshot but do add to the size and bulk of the setup.
Common Questions
What safety considerations should be made when shooting a slingshot?
There are a couple of things to think about in terms of safety, one is the band snapping while at full draw and the other is the potential for ricochets both of which could cause severe eye damage. Proper eye protection should always be worn when shooting a slingshot and the area down range should always be clear of anyone or thing that can be harmed if the ammunition ricochets after firing.
As with any projectile weapon always be sure of your target and never point or fire at anything that you do not intend to shoot at.
How to care for and maintain a survival slingshot?
The three main components to inspect on a slingshot are the forks, the band and the pouch. Watch that the forks are not damaged or showing signs of wear, check that the bands are not damaged, torn, or showing signs of fatigue, and finally make sure that the pouch is attached properly to the band and is not torn or showing excessive wear
Does the type of ammo matter?
There are a lot of different types of ammo from steel and lead shot to glass shot or marbles to just plain old simple rocks and stones. Using ball ammunition is preferred because the smooth round and uniform nature of them makes shooting far more accurate. Rocks on the other hand are too inconsistent in shape and weight and tend to not have predictable flight patterns.
Verdict
The Scout is by far my favourite of the list because it is able to use any bands and is solidly constructed. It would be nice if it also included an arm brace but for such a sturdy little slingshot I feel like an arm brace would not be required.
The Pocket Shot deserves a special mention here because there is something to be said for a slingshot that is so compact. The learning curve with using such an unconventional design should be taken into consideration though and significant practice sessions should be considered before putting this in a survival kit. Either of the budget choices would be good for a brand new slingshot user or to just bring back some fond memories of a childhood spent unleashing slingshot mayhem.
