Best Survival Slingshot of 2023

Most shooting sports require a lot of practice, and slingshots might need the most to be viable for survival. Slingshots are impressively versatile and powerful, but you’ll need to know what you’re doing and have the right slingshot for the job. There are a lot of slingshot brands and models out there ranging from imported trash to high-quality, so finding the best survival slingshot can be tough.

This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best slingshots for survival, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and a pocket pick. If you need some reliable eyewear, one of our suggestions will have you covered.

---

Contents (Jump to a Section)

---

SimpleShot is the slingshot brand if you are serious about it as a hobby, sport, or survival method. They have a huge catalog of slingshots, any attachment or accessory you could think up, and plenty of target practice equipment.

The Scout XT is one of their most popular models, and for good reason. It is easily configurable with the FlipClipX band attachment system that lets you adapt it to a huge range of ammo, draw power, and shooting styles.

Here is everything you get with this wrist rocket:

• Four color options
• Polycarbonate frame with latex flat bands
• Adjustable draw weight, OTT/TTF configurable
• 4″ W x 5.25″ H
• 4.6 ounces
• Made in the USA (near us in Asheville, NC!)

With huge versatility and superb quality, it’s easy to see why the SimpleShot Scout XT Slingshot tops the rest.

---

Many of us have grown up with a Daisy wrist rocket in our back pocket, and they are still sold. There have been a few upgrades, like a wrist stabilizer and there are a few new models out there now.

Seasoned slingshot pros may balk at our recommendation here, but these things continue to work, have easily replaceable parts, and are dirt cheap!

Here is how this familiar option measures up:

• Steel frame with latex tubing
• Folding wrist support
• 350 fps velocity, 28 lb pull
• 3.5″ W x 8″ L collapsed
• 8.47 ounces

If you are looking for an inexpensive beginner slingshot, the Daisy B52 Slingshot is still the best option.

---

The Pocket Shot made waves a few years back, as it is a simple concept that doesn’t seem like it should work as well as it does. Instead of using latex tubes or straps, it uses a latex pouch to launch projectiles.

Holding the ring gives you plenty of control, although accuracy and proficiency with this unique slingshot definitely takes practice. The survival versatility the design provides is just as intriguing as shooting with it.

Use the small pouch to keep things dry, as it is waterproof with the cap. Alternatively, you can use it to hold a small amount of liquid. Its uses beyond a simple slingshot make it an interesting choice for survival kits.

Here are the specs:

• Polycarbonate ring with latex pouch
• Watertight storage
• 350 fps velocity, 24 lb pull
• 2.3″ D x 1.3″ H closed
• 3.1 ounces

With a versatile design, The Pocket Shot is a unique choice for EDC and survival kits.

---

Everything We Recommend

---

The Slingshots We Compared

Our research narrowed the field down to a few brands and types of slingshots that we compared: SimpleShot, Daisy, Pocket Shot, Beeman, Condor, TOPS, Ka-Bar, Trumark, and more.

You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.

We considered a wide range of wrist rockets, and there are a lot of unique options out there. A few knife makers enter the fray with some underwhelming slingshots that seem more decorative and catalog-expanding than anything else.

We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a survival slingshot that you’ve had success with, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually so we can try to get it in the next roundup round and see if it will beat out our top picks.

---

What to Look For

The best survival slingshots have a few features to look for:

1. Value
2. Power
3. Durability
4. Size & Weight
5. Versatility

When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect slingshot for hunting, slinging guide wires, and even self-defense. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the slingshots that truly set themselves apart.

Value: Cost vs. Benefit

The amount of money you spend on something like slingshots shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. There is a wide range of prices in just our picks, so there is no need to spend beyond your means.

You never want to spend too much money on one resource, even when it comes to a survival weapon. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.

Power

Slingshots typically have as much power as you can muster, given the limitations of the bands and the ammunition you are using. You typically want to adjust your bands’ draw weight to your specific type of ammo, as you can quickly get diminishing returns with ball bearings.

Most slingshots list a max speed of 350 fps (feet per second), but practically we see 120-170 fps. Pistols range between 750-1500 fps so there is a big difference in speed.

But, slingshots can use various sizes of ammunition since they aren’t limited by a chamber and a barrel. A larger, slower-moving projectile can transfer just as much energy (or more!) than a smaller, fast-moving projectile.

Durability

As with any survival gear, you need your slingshot to last. Having replaceable parts is a start, but having high-quality parts is better. Typically, the bands break when you are drawing the slingshot to take a shot- so broken equipment could mean a missed survival opportunity.

All of our picks use latex bands and strong polymers or steel for the frame. Frames are rarely the issue when it comes to durability, but moving parts and bands can wear out.

Size & Weight

Even for hunting and target practice, you’ll want a slingshot that isn’t too bulky or heavy. It’s similar to bows, in that holding it out and drawing it repeatedly will wear you out over time. In survival situations, you’ll want to conserve that energy- not burn it up using a slingshot that unnecessarily weighs over a pound.

Slingshots will also be stowed in a kit, so size matters a bit. Being flat and lightweight for the most part helps- any slingshot is much more portable than a bow.

Versatility

Versatile slingshots can do more than one function, use a wide range of ammo, and/or can be adjustable for different pull weights/draw lengths.

All of these make a slingshot more useful in more situations. Being able to quickly modify, replace parts as needed, and stow them away in a small profile all set the simple slingshot apart from other shooting equipment.

---

How to Use a Survival Slingshot

You can use a survival slingshot for all sorts of survival-related tasks in addition to hunting.

Warning: Slingshots can be dangerous to you and others. Be aware of what is behind your target and wear appropriate PPE, like protective eyewear.

One of our favorite uses is slinging a wire up over a high limb for communication equipment or running a rope. You can also use the components of a slingshot for various tasks- the latex bands are especially versatile.

Zachary Fowler (from the Alone survival TV show) proved his expertise with survival slingshots and makes great tutorials now:

---

Who Needs a Slingshot?

For most people, slingshots are far from a survival necessity. Even with years of training, there are more reliable methods for hunting. That didn’t stop Fowler from selecting one as one of his 10 items on Alone as he went on to win the competition.

He is exceptional with a slingshot though, and if you don’t have the countless hours of training Fowler’s put in you can’t realistically expect his results.

If you elect to put one in a survival kit, we would suggest :

The reusable and generic ammo make them slightly better for:

Although we don’t consider them essential, don’t sleep on their usefulness in practicing small game hunting, working on accuracy, and just getting outdoors in general.

Sources and References

All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival slingshot are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:

Batista Santos, C. (2020). Hunting Practices Among the Indigenous “Truká” in the Semiarid Region of Brazil. Amazonia Investiga. Volume 9. Issue 31. Pages 127 – 147. (Source)

Franklin, A. (1996). Australian hunting and angling sports and the changing nature of human-animal relations in Australia. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology. Volume 32. Issue 3. Pages 39 – 56. (Source)

Skov, E. (2013). Experimentation in Sling Weaponry: Effectiveness of and Archaeological Implications for a World-Wide Primitive Technology. University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Theses and Dissertations. (Source)

---

The Final Word

Besides being useful for survival, slingshots can also be fun. Plenty of people pick them up as a hobby or even as a target sport. There is a wide range of prices, so there is hardly a barrier preventing you from trying one out.

Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:

We presented quite a lot of information, but as always: if you have any questions let us know and we would be happy to help. Our testing found the SimpleShot Scout XT Slingshot to be the best option given its value, power, durability, size/weight, and versatility.

Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.

---

You’ve Been Missing Out

Join the 2+ million preppers that rely on our prepping advice by subscribing to TruePrepper.

• Practical guides and tips
• Useful survival giveaways
• Free, forever
• < 0.4% of people unsubscribe

Thanks for subscribing, reading, and welcome to the club.

---