When searching for a slingshot, you’ll eventually have to answer the following question: Do I want a clamp/clip/plug band attachment, or do I want wrap-and-tuck?
In the modern age, it’s very easy to choose the clamps, clips, or plugs. They’re just so effective and so easy to use. If you go that direction, you’re in good company and the right place! SimpleShot makes a wide selection of such frames, and all of them are awesome. But if you’re feeling old-school nostalgic, have hand-made a frame you want to shoot, or you’re looking to save some coin while shopping, the wrap-and-tuck method is the ticket. Today I’ll break down the ins-and-outs of the wrap-and-tuck slingshot and why you might want one. Let’s jump in!
What is Wrap-and-Tuck?
In the context of slingshots, wrap-and-tuck means that the bands are attached to the frame by using elastic (band tying tape) to lash the bands into place. It gets its name because the process of attaching the bands starts with wrapping the frame and band together, and then tucking the short end of the band underneath layers of wrapping.
Band Tying Tape - 35m / 115 ft
How to Attach Bands with Wrap-and-Tuck
At first it can seem daunting, but I’m happy to inform you that it’s a whole lot easier than it looks. Check out this video, this article, or even the instructions that come with every SimpleShot wrap-and-tuck frame to learn how to do it. In a couple minutes, you’ll be shooting!
Why Choose a Wrap-and-Tuck Frame?
There are a few good reasons lots of folks still gravitate to this classic attachment method.
1. They made their own slingshot
One of the most beautiful things about slingshots is their simplicity. Find almost anything with a Y-shape (or even U-shape), and you can make a slingshot out of it. Forked sticks are the popular choice, but I’ve seen modified figure-8 rappelling descenders, the handles of Leatherman multitools, adjustable wrenches, etc. But to attach bands to such a slingshot, you’ll need the wrap-and-tuck method.
2. It’s what they’re familiar with
Lots of shooters learned how to shoot with wrap-and-tuck bands, and they see no reason to teach the old dogs new tricks. The wrapping on the frame gives you a little extra grip, the ritual of attachment is fun, and shooting without it feels like something is missing. For these folks, a wrap-and-tuck frame is perfect.
3. Wrap-and-tuck frames may cost less
As nice as clips and plugs are for attaching bands, they add more parts, more machine and mold time, and by extension, more cost. If you’re on a budget while slingshot shopping, check out the wrap-and-tuck frames. They’re every bit as accurate as the clips and plugs, and are all perfect daily drivers.
Why Not Choose a Wrap-and-Tuck Slingshot
I know I’ve talked the method up a lot, but there are some reasons to look elsewhere.
1. Convenience
It’s so much easier to just loosen a screw, throw in a new band, tighten the screw, and get back to shooting than it is to go to the effort of wrapping and tucking a new band into place. If you do a lot of shooting, prefer aggressive band tapers and elongation, or are just shooting old latex, you’ll find yourself swapping bands pretty regularly, and you’ll notice how much longer it takes with wrap-and-tuck.
2. Durability
Wrap-and-tuck frames will, by their nature, use some sort of material for the tie-in, and that material can degrade, scratch, tear, and break just like the bands. It’s another disposable part of the slingshot that can fray and come undone, and definitely something to keep an eye on. But clips and plugs don’t care how many times in and out of your pocket you take your slingshot, making them great for EDC frames.
Clips also take one thing off your pre-shot checklist. A clip holds the band the same way every time. With wrap-and-tuck, the wrap is doing that job, so inspect your bands and tie-ins every time you shoot, and re-tie whenever the wrap isn’t tight. Either way, safety glasses go on before the first shot.
3. Cleanliness
The wrap-and-tuck method ties elastic around the tips of the slingshot by hand, and it doesn’t always come out tidy — especially while you’re still learning. It doesn’t affect the performance at all, but it does look unsightly to some (mostly my wife). That’s why she prefers the clips on her Axiom. Not because she ever swaps her own bands (she makes me do that), but because it looks nicer.
4. Performance
Many SimpleShot frames with Integrated Clips also come with a fiber optic sight built right into the clip, and that can seriously level up your accuracy. If you swap between your steel bands and your clay bands with any regularity, clamps will be easier on your bands and much, much faster to swap too.
Some Recommendations
If you’re after a wrap-and-tuck slingshot, SimpleShot makes some excellent choices for you. The options I provide here are all great, but they are far from the only ones. Explore a little!
1. Sparrow
The Sparrow is a plastic slingshot that is a one-to-one reproduction of one hand-carved by Zachary Fowler. With his Sparrow, he has taken who knows how much small game, performed who knows how many trick shots, won several tournaments, and even shown off for Snoop Dogg (long story). One of the best slingshot shooters in the world daily-drives this thing, and once you get it in your hand, it’s easy to see why. A truly excellent frame!
Sparrow
2. Slant Roller
I’ve been playing with the Slant Roller for a while prepping for this article. I must confess I never much cared for it, but now that I’ve shot it, it legitimately might be my new favorite frame. It fits perfectly in the hand, even better in the pocket, and was just begging for a cool lanyard. Look out for an entire article about this frame real soon, because I’m in love.
Slant Roller
3. Axiom Champ
It’s not very often you see a frame that is capable of both over-the-top and through-the-fork shooting that uses wrap-and-tuck, but the Axiom Champ is it. So small, so flat, and so versatile. I especially like the glow-in-the-dark version of the frame, it’s so much fun. Its compact, flat design makes it a favorite of experienced shooters who are looking to be as close to the action as they can while shooting. Its simplicity is what makes it so great!
Axiom Champ
About the author
George Muhlestein is the YouTube host for Blade HQ, where he has spent the last few years writing about knives. He’s also a longtime SimpleShot fan whose whole family shoots slingshots.
