YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY SLINGSHOTS!!!
This article started out to be a new product report on one of the latest
slingshots on the market. As I began testing a couple of slingshots, I realized that it
would take a couple of years if I just wrote about one slingshot in each issue of the
magazine. I then began shooting a few more slingshots and before long I realized that I
was having far too much fun. So this article has become one about how much fun it is to
shoot the latest slingshots.
I started out with Barnett's Cobra and Trumark's FXS-FO. I now have added Marksman's
Laserhawk Adjustable, Marksman's Laserhawk Stealth,
and Saunders Double Eagle. I had the Double
Eagle and Laserhawk Adjustable for 2 or 3 years but
had not shot them very much. The FXS-FO I had bought last
summer, but had not even taken it out of the package. I just received the Cobra and Laserhawk Stealth this
month. Each slingshot has special features or differences that make them unique and of
course fun to shoot.
Barnett's Cobra
is an excellent designed and manufactured slingshot
featuring removable extra long wristbrace and built-in front stabilizer. It has contoured
grips and is powered by magnum power bands. The pouch is heavy leather with holes for
alignment and better gripping. The removable wristbrace is attached in a unique manner
that makes it easy to remove but is fastened securely while shooting. Shooting
instinctively I was able to hit on target in 3 to 5 shots. By aiming I was also accurate
within a few shots. With the magnum power bands, the Cobra
would make an excellent hunting slingshot. While I really enjoyed shooting the Cobra I am looking forward to using it to play "Kill the
Can". Barnett also has the Sidewinder and Viper
slingshots along with a complete line of crossbows. Further information can be found on Barnett's website:www.barnettcrossbows.com.
Trumark's FXS-FO
is a
fantastic slingshot. It has FIBER-OPTIC SIGHTS with ROTATING PRONGS. The unique
fiber-optic sensors capture and concentrate light rays, which make the red and green
sights glow for shaper aiming and shooting accuracy. The powerband-saver rotating prongs
extend powerband life by pivoting 180 degrees around the slingshot fork. The FXS-FO has a
light aluminum frame, rivetless one-piece ABS plastic handle, storage chamber,
matched-pull latex powerbands, large split leather pouch, and folds to compact size. This
slingshot is designed to shoot with the handle held parallel to the ground. I found that
by following the shooting directions provided on Trumark's website
that I was able to shoot extremely accurate. When I carefully lined up the slights and
bands on the target not only
could I consistently hit a 10 centimeter target at 10 meters distance, I
found myself hitting the exact spot that I was aiming at on the 10 centimeter target. I am
looking forward to shooting their new model, FSX-2000, with stabilizer and will report on
it in the next issue of Slingshot the Magazine. Further
information about Trumark's slingshots can be found on their
website:www.slingshots.com.
They have a short history of their slingshots that I think you will find quite
interesting.
Marksman's 3060L LASERHAWK Adjustable
Slingshot
has a remarkable and unique design that allows you to adjust both the
length of the wrist support and the length of the yoke. Changing the length of the yoke
increases or decreases the draw length and puts the LASERHAWK Adjustable
in the categories of traditional length slingshots and extended fork slingshots. It is
powered by Laserhawk tapered bands with heavy black leather
pouch. The wrist support holds 1/4" and 3/8" steelshot. Again I was able to
shoot quite accurately with the slingshot after 3 or 5 shots with it. I use a 45-degree
cant with this slingshot and sight on the top part of the yoke.
Marksman's 3070 LASERHAWK STEALTH SLINGSHOT
is said to be the most
radically innovative and versatile slingshot on the market today. With it's pulley system,
extended prong, adjustable band system, and LASERHAWK TAPERED BANDS it
certainly fits this category. The sculpted wraparound thumb and finger rests add to the
stability and accuracy of the STEALTH. The
LASERHAWK STEALTH is designed to shoot while holding the
handle parallel to the ground. I found that I could also shoot it at a 45-degree cant with
excellent accuracy. The LASERHAWK STEALTH draws easy and
shoots hard. For more information about MARKSMAN'S slingshots
check out my website:www.slingshots.net or order a catalog
from Marksman Products, Division of S/R Industries, Inc., 5882 Argosy Drive, Huntington
Beach, CA 92649. Marksman will have a website later on this year at:www.marksman.com.
The SAUNDERS DOUBLE
EAGLE WRIST-ROCKET is also a slingshot of unique design. The prongs have an
attachment that allows hooking two bands to each side for a total of four tournament
matched power bands. The slingshot is equipped with Saunders self-centering ammo pouch,
the wear-reducing power band prongs, and guidance collar. Again using my shooting style, I
was able to hit accurately in 3 or 5 shots with the DOUBLE EAGLE
WRIST-ROCKET. It is a hard shooting slingshot and would make a good hunting
slingshot. Over the years I have enjoyed shooting SAUNDERS slingshots
with the Falcon 2 and Falcon 300
being a couple of my favorites that I still shoot. Further information check out Saunders
website:www.sausa.com.
As you can see it is impossible for me to do an impartial report on slingshots and how
they shoot because I find them all fun to shoot. Since they are all fun to shoot and very
accurate, I suggest that you try them all!
To see how some of these slingshots function, check out the Slingshot Videos on the
main page of www.slingshots.net.
I'm looking forward to the next issue where I will be shooting and reporting on
Crosman's Powerstorm, Trumark's FSX-2000, Trumark's FS-1 XFO, Trumark's S9FO, and
hopefully Beeman's Crow Magnum.