If you’re the type of person who wants their cake and eat it too, then the Hammer XT Heavy Duty Slingbow may be for you. This compact device is a true amalgamation between a slingshot and an arrow-firing bow for hunting, fishing, and self-defense. Designed to shoot either ball bearings or full-sized arrows, the sky’s the limit, as they say, for its effectiveness while out in the field.
Simple-Shot forwarded me a sample of this intriguing item to discover for myself if it’s the real deal or just another gimmick not worth your time. Spoiler alert…place your finger over the “buy it now” button and push it.
What is a (Hammer) Slingbow?
A slingbow, simply put, is a slingshot that can shoot arrows (normally used with bows), as well as traditional steel ball shot. This allows the greatest versatility achieved for a slingshot-style device. If you have arrows on hand, then you’re good. If you have ball bearings, you’re also good.
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The Hammer Slingbow, by Simple-Shot, is a top-quality slingbow that offers a heavy-duty body and the unique flexibility to switch seamlessly between slingshot and slingbow functionalities.
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Included in the Package
The Hammer Slingbow came to me in two compact pouches. The first one contained all the necessary components to construct the slingshot, while the other housed the slingbow accessories.
The primary slingshot pouch contained the slingshot itself, in two disassembled parts. It also held the wrist brace, the bands, and two canisters of shot, one with steel ball bearings, the other with clay ammo. A lanyard was also included, as were standard slingshot bands.
The second pouch held the components to convert the traditional slingshot into a slingbow. These included the slingbow tubes and the circular brush, the mount adapter plate, and hardware to secure it.
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Ease of Assembly and Breakdown
Now, I have to be honest. When I first opened the packages and fiddled with the components, I feared that assembly might be a bit of a problem. Going in blind, it would have been, but Simple-Shot thought of everything.
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Included on the product card inside each pouch was a QR code that instantly pulled up an assembly video on my phone. Within a minute or so afterwards, I was piecing my slingbow together with relative ease. The instructions for the Hammer Slingbow were detailed and easily explained in the video, which helped greatly. If you forgo the video instruction, then you may have some difficulty with assembly.
I wanted to explore the slingbow version. Instructions for conversion to a standard slingshot were also included when the time came to switch it out.
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Slingbow Findings
Simple-Shot recommends carbon arrows in the 400-spine range. Luckily, I had such arrows on hand. The unit held the arrow in place far better than I would have imagined. No matter how many times I shifted my hands as I moved through the trees and brush, the arrow was always in a ready position for shooting.
I sent one arrow off, and it petered to the ground. This was due to my undercommitment to the pull. The second time was very different. I drew the arrow back to about seventy-five percent of its maximum pull and let it go. This time, its flight was straight, fast, and it impacted its intended target with ease.
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The result of the next few shots truly felt like I launched the arrows with a full-sized bow. The more I used the slingbow, the more natural it felt and the more confident I became.
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Slingshot Effectiveness
Even though I was familiar with a slingshot, I couldn’t resist transforming the slingbow into its ball-bearing and clay shot version. Again, assembly was fast, by removing the whisker biscuit and trading out the tubes for bands.
The power of each shot was remarkable, with faster-than-imagined speed and unexpected accuracy. This was no toy, but rather a precision weapon that backed up everything it boasted. No matter if you prefer the steel shot or the clay shot, the performance of the slingshot never failed.
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The Final Verdict
How can I not give this product an A-plus? When you factor in all categories, I can’t find one that was lacking or lagging behind the others. The unit was constructed with highly durable materials, with hardware that didn’t show flaws that cheaper versions frequently do.
The ease of assembly, breakdown, and conversion was top-notch, with the included instructional videos adding even more effortlessness to the process. Finally, the price point of the slingshot and conversion package (starting at $79.99) was more than acceptable. Since you’re basically getting two weapons in one, you really can’t beat it.
I would recommend purchasing Simpleshot’s GoBag along with the Slingbow. You definitely need a pack or small bag to hold the various components while you’re on the move, and this option from their website would suit that purpose well.
So, gather your arrows, the time to shoot the hammer Slingbow is now!
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