The story of David and Goliath was written at about the same time that Homer was writing his plays. That would be around 800 B.C. The story that is told is from the past and could be referring to a time around the year 3000 BC.
That makes the earliest recorded slingshot about five thousand years old!
The modern slingshot Today, slingshots come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, and are constructed of modern materials. Because of these advances, they are no longer considered simply “toys” but have become truly powerful weapons that, in the right hands, can take down all manner of small animals including squirrels, birds, and rabbits.
However, you do need to be a skilled marksman to hit one of these critters, and this is even more true if the critter is on the move. Now you can get these modern catapults with sights, even high powered sights that are called “laser” sights. Today’s high-speed, high-precision slingshots also include features such as a self-centering ammunition pouch, wear-reducing tips, and guide collars.
Because of these advances, there have been radical improvements in stem, fork design and materials, making these tools true weapons, ideal for competitive shooting for adults and children alike.
There are many regional and national clubs and competitions for the modern slingshot enthusiast.
shooting skill Despite all the technological advances, dating back to the time when little David faced off against the huge Goliath, hunting with modern slingshots still requires a high degree of shooting skill that can only be acquired with dedication and practice. .
The first “wrist rockets” One of the first modern slingshots was released by the Wham-O company back in 1949. Then there were the Saunders “Wrist-Rockets” which were introduced in 1954. From then, over 50 years ago to the present day, their popularity has not decreased.
Some of the popular models currently on the market have names like “Black Widow” and “Laser Hawk” which are very apt names.
The basic ideas and principles first generated by manufacturers in the early fifties are still used in the slingshots you can buy today. You can get stocks made of steel, aluminum, and wood, whatever you choose.
homemade slingshots Some people still make homemade slingshots the old-fashioned way, like the famous Rufus Hussey. Rufus Hussey was known as “the bean shooter” due to his expert marksmanship. Rufus could knock a June bug off a leaf from a fair distance.
He started making and shooting slingshots as a kid growing up during the great depression out of necessity, and later moved on to making them for fun. Rufus passed away in 1994 after more than 50 years of slingshot mastery.
Still other wrist rocket makers can carve beautiful engravings into the stocks and will also use exotic woods. They can become quite elegant.
Today’s modern wrist rocket makers use the best rubber and leather sheaths making them more than just toys, but highly tuned weapons that are fun to own and shoot.
laws There are laws governing sling shipping that need to be taken into account. For example, slingshots cannot be shipped to some states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, or New York.
You should check your local area for special codes related to shooting slingshots in residential areas. It is recommended that you go to an open and sparsely populated area when shooting.
wrist rocket safety Safety should always be kept in mind any time you use projectiles. Getting a gang to back off and hit someone in the face can be dangerous. Be sure to wear glasses when shooting because safety glasses are highly recommended when using slingshots.
Also, never shoot people.
You can really hurt someone with one of these. Keep in mind that these modern devices can be even more powerful than many BB guns. Security must be taken seriously.