How we pick our products
Welcome to our big slingshot test 2023. Here we present all the slingshots we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best slingshot for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy a slingshot.
Summary
- Most people remember slingshots nostalgically as children’s toys.
- Nowadays, professional or sport slingshots are manufactured by companies. These slingshots are specially made to get the best shooting result out of anyone.
- However, not every slingshot is legal. Some are so powerful that they are considered a weapon and fall under the gun laws. Therefore, the basic rule of never aiming at people or animals should always be at the top of the list.
The Best Slingshot: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a slingshot
Who is a slingshot suitable for?
Nowadays, however, not only the little ones play with them, but also the young at heart in adulthood. Models made of plastic or even with a steel frame and twine around it to have a better grip are used nowadays.
Children and young people mostly use slingshots as toys to pierce targets or knock over glass bottles. Besides the playful purpose, the slingshot also has a useful purpose.
Like the bow, the slingshot is used in sport. Here, of course, no homemade wooden sticks with bicycle inner tubes are used, but handcrafted twins made of metal and plastic. The rubbers are made of latex tubing or flat rubber.
Championships are held in Spain or America with stabilisers like armrests.
The slingshot is also popular for fishing. A slingshot is perfect for lining up for distant fishing spots. A similar device is called a maggot slingshot.
In the working world, full-time tree climbers use a slingshot or similar device to reach higher ground.
What is the legal situation for slingshots?
Germany
In Germany, slingshots are generally not covered by the Weapons Act. However, certain slingshots are explicitly mentioned in the Weapons Act. Slingshots with an arm rest or even comparable devices that could be mounted on the slingshot are mentioned in it.
This means that slingshots with an arm support are prohibited in Germany. The same applies to slingshots that have a device on which an arm rest can be retrofitted.
Accordingly, regardless of the cocking energy, all other twins can be legally acquired, possessed or carried.
Austria
Slingshots fall under the Austrian Weapons Act regardless of whether they are equipped with an arm rest or not. However, as they are not a prohibited weapon and there are no other restrictions, slingshots (including precision slingshots) may be acquired, possessed and carried by persons over 18 years of age.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, classical slingshots are not included in the Weapons Act, but slingshots with arm supports are prohibited. Slingshots without arm rests may be acquired, carried and possessed.
Slingshots can cause considerable damage! For this reason, the device should be wielded with the utmost caution and care.
What alternatives are there to a slingshot?
- Crossbow
- Hawaiian sling
- Bow
Crossbow
The crossbow is a bow-like long-distance weapon used to shoot arrows or bolts made of metal, plastic or wood.
The crossbow is basically a horizontal bow. The string is tensioned with a restraining device and the crossbow can be held taut and aimed without effort.
Nowadays, crossbows are only known from films or sport shooting. They are still used as sports equipment in competitions. Normally they are shot standing or kneeling at a distance of 10m or 30m. However, there are also disciplines with a distance of 100m.
Hawaiian Sling
One of the most used weapons in spearfishing is the Hawaiian Sling. The way it works is similar to a bow and arrow. The spear is hooked into the rubber and pulled back like a bow.
Although the technique is the same as a slingshot, the Hawaiian Sling is only used underwater.
Bow
The bow is an elastic, stick-like object, often made of wood. The bowstring is connected at the ends by a string. Only arrows are shot with the bow.
Since Neolithic times, the bow and arrow has been used as a weapon for hunting and in fights. Today, however, the bow is used as a piece of sports equipment for archery.
In modern archery there are several disciplines. There are models without sighting aids and sport bows with sights. If you have never tried archery before, you can get to know the fun of archery on routes specially designed for shooting with bows and arrows in the forest.
Decision: What types of slingshots are there and which is the right one for you?
Basically, we distinguish between these types of slingshots:
- Dankung “Panther” sport slingshot
- Classic slingshot
- Original Pocket-Shot
In the following, we explain the different types and their respective advantages and disadvantages. In this way, we want to help you find the slingshot that is best suited to your needs.
Dankung “Panther” slingshot
This model is a very high-quality piece of sports equipment for high demands. The slingshot offers more than it seems at first glance. The robust stainless steel body promises you a long-lasting device with which you will have a lot of fun.
You can use not only the usual tubular rubbers but also flat rubbers. This special feature makes the slingshot even more versatile.
Thanks to its sturdy design, it also fits comfortably in any trouser pocket. The workmanship makes it an absolute top device.
Slingshot
Unlike the sport slingshot, the normal slingshot is no longer up to date. In the past, David fought Goliath with a slingshot, but today it is mainly exhibited in museums under the category of long-distance weapon.
To master the slingshot, you need a lot of muscle power and skill. But with a lot of practice you can reach a range similar to that of the Persian archers. You can use almost all small heavy objects as ammunition.
Original Pocket Shot
The pocket shot is the only alternative to the Y-shaped slingshot. It is very conventional, extremely powerful and allows extremely fast shooting.
Its design is simple but unique and does not resemble any other slingshot. Basically, it is a round plastic ring with an attached rubber bag.
With the Pocket Shot you mainly shoot ball ammunition. A special feature is the arrow attachment, with which you can also shoot arrows. This gives you even more variety when shooting at targets.
Buying criteria: Use these factors to compare and evaluate slingshots
In the following, we will show you which criteria you can use to compare and evaluate slingshots. This will make it easier for you to get an overview and decide on a suitable and effective device.
In summary, these are the following criteria:
- Frame material
- Weight and size
- Handle
- Rubber
- Ammunition
- Price
In the following, you can read about the respective criteria and find out why it makes sense for you to purchase a device based on the criteria or not.
Frame material
The three most common materials are metal, plastic and wood. It depends on your preferences or use. Each material has different properties such as performance, durability and stability.
Metal
A metal slingshot is not only strong, but also lightweight. A metal frame ensures powerful shooting due to its stiff and reliable frame. Another plus is durability. Aluminium slingshots are lighter and steel slingshots are stronger.
Plastic
A plastic slingshot is also a solid option. Plastics are already produced to be very robust and durable. The choice of slingshots with plastic is definitely the largest and cheapest.
Wood
To make a slingshot yourself, all you need is a piece of wood from the forest. You won’t get the same performance, but you’ll still have fun. Wooden slingshots are available online or in specialist shops, and may be more expensive.
Weight and size
A light and small slingshot means being able to move unconventionally everywhere with little weight. This is an important aspect when travelling with light equipment.
The usual slingshot weighs between 100 and 300 grams. Plastic slingshots are usually lighter than slingshots made of metal.
Bigger does not mean stronger. With a compact size of 20 cm, you can easily carry any slingshot in your pocket.
Handle
One of the most important factors is the handle. With a high-quality slingshot, you must be able to have a firm and secure grip. If the handle is too narrow or too wide, it will be difficult to grip the slingshot firmly.
Good slingshots have an ergonomically shaped grip that offers comfort as well as control.
Grips with a hollow space have an additional ammunition storage to keep your ammunition or spare rubbers always at hand.
Note: most slingshots are built for right-handers. If you are left-handed, you must make sure that the handle can be used left-handed or with both hands.
Rubber
There are two main types of rubber. One is the rubber tube and the other is the flat rubber band. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. So it depends more on your personal experience. If you try both, you will get a feeling which one suits you better.
In short, flat rubbers offer more speed and are easier to pull. Rubber tubes, on the other hand, are more durable and last longer.
Round rubber
Rubber tubes and round rubbers come in a variety. The different thicknesses affect their strength and durability. Generally, European and American hoses, which last longer but cost more, and Chinese, which are less durable, are offered.
The biggest advantage of a round rubber is that the hose is much more durable and robust than a flat rubber
Flat rubber
If you are looking for speed and precision, the flat rubber is definitely the one for you. Flat rubbers also come in different thicknesses.
| Colour | Thickness |
|---|---|
| Gold | 0.70 – 0.75 mm |
| Silver | 0.55 – 0.60 mm |
| Black | 0.35 – 0.40 mm |
The most commonly used latex tapes are just under 0.8 mm thick. The thinner the latex, the faster your bullet. The disadvantage is its poor durability and it is very susceptible to natural forces.
However, they are very suitable for a wide range of ammunition sizes.
Ammunition
No matter what, you can use almost anything as ammunition. Small stones or stones from the riverbed, which are evenly round, can be found everywhere. YOU should be careful though, because stones are less predictable than manufactured ammunition like steel or lead balls
The most common sizes range from 0.4 to 0.5 calibre, which is the equivalent of 10 and 12.7 mm.
Price
You can get a good slingshot for little money. If you don’t want to dig too deep into your pocket, but still want to shoot with a high-quality slingshot, you’ll pay between 15 and 25 euros. For higher-quality slingshots, you can expect to pay up to 50 euros.
Facts worth knowing about slingshots
Slingshot with holder
As slingshots became more popular, manufacturers began to develop slings with more and more power and shooting accuracy. Wrist-assisted slingshots were the next big milestone in slingshot history.
Wrist-assisted slingshots appeared on the market when surgical tubing was invented. Manufacturers wanted to use the strength of the tubing to make powerful slingshots. However, in order to shoot comfortably with the hard tubing, the slingshot needed a wrist rest.
It gives the ejection base more stability and reduces wrist fatigue. Such slingshots offer a hard and fast shot. This is probably the reason why they are banned in countries like Germany, Switzerland or Austria.
If you want to try slingshots with a mount, you cannot do so in German-speaking countries because of the weapons law and have to cross the border to another country.
Picture source: n123rf.com / 70087642
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