A Zwille was originally an archaic weapon that was used in military conflicts. The Zwille, often as well slingshot , Flitsche or catapult is called, is today on the one hand a children’s toy. Many children make such slingshots to fire on bottles or other items. On the other hand, the device, which in this case produces specialist manufacturers, is also used in athletic competitions. We introduce the slingshot by illuminating different models.

Zwillen for adolescents

Even in the present, children and adolescents build their own buds, which are created from a symmetrical fork of a branch. As building material branches are used, which have a fork at an angle of 40 to 60 degrees. Suitable are branch forks of hazel, oak and beech. After all, this wood is solid, but not too brittle.

elder Fahrradschläucheor the jars of preserving jars are other items needed for home-made cooking. This material is stretched between the crotch. In the middle is often a leather application through which the ammunition is held. Similar constructions are not created only by children. After all, some producers have been producing slingshots since the 1970s, which are made of steel and tear-resistant rubber.

Slingshots for athletes

Similar to a arcalso slingshots are used to pursue sports activities. But then no constructions are used, which consist of simple branch forks. Instead, professional sports equipment is used, which is created in a crafting process. It is often processed light metal or plastic. Other materials are wood and rubber, which can be found in many professional slingshot.

One example is the „Big professional slingshot“, which is manufactured by the renowned manufacturer ORA-TEC. This device not only impresses with its metallic elements, which make it a lightweight alternative for athletes. It also has a barrel that gradually releases the metal balls. The company Oramics manufactures similar slingshots, but only the barrel is made of metal because wood is also processed.

Steel is used for the production of the Inet-Trades „Steinschleuder Profi“, which is also offered at reasonable prices. This sports slingshot consists of a sturdy metal frame, which is located on a plastic handle. Unfortunately, this model does not have a barrel in which the ammunition can be stored. A run can be found on other models, which are also appreciated by athletes.

Ammunition for different purposes

Slingshots are used not only for target shooting but also for sport fishing. There are so-called Madenschleudern used, which hardly differ from other Flitschen. However, these devices have a device on the centrifugal rubber. There you will find maggots that are shot at the waters before fishing. This attracts the fish, which are easier to catch. However, most athletes use bullets to shoot at targets.

As ammunition, no maggots are used. Instead, projectiles made of plastic, ceramics or metal are needed. A sphere generally has a diameter between 8 and 14 millimeters. Often steel round balls are used, which are sold for a small price. So 100 shots often cost no more than ten euros. The projectiles can be used, for example, for shooting on cans that are far away. Otherwise, manufacturers also offer targets that are fired at.

Notes on the legal situation

Modern spinpers sold in other countries often have armrests and stabilizers in the form of antennas. In Germany, however, these are not allowed. Ultimately, these devices become a more accurate and dangerous weapon that can cause fatal injury when used by a skilled shooter.

For this reason the legislator defines a prohibition, which finds itself in the weapon law. In Germany, slingshots that have arm support or similar devices are illegal. The sports equipment is not allowed even if only one device for mounting supports is available. For this, the speed limit of 23 joules was tilted. In fact, there is no power limit for sports and slingshots in the Federal Republic.

In other states, there are no legal rules prohibiting the use of all slingshots. There championships are held regularly because shooting with the slings is a popular team sport. Associations exist, for example, in Spain and the United States of America. In Germany, the legal sling continues to be a niche product, but more and more people are enthusiastic about it.