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Reviews > Base Camp Gear > Misc Tools and Toys > Pocket Shot Pocket Hammer > Test Report by Brian Hartman

THE POCKET SHOT
TEST SERIES BY BRIAN HARTMAN

INITIAL REPORT: October 20, 2017

LONG TERM REPORT: February 24, 2018

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Brian Hartman
EMAIL: bhart1426ATyahooDOT com
AGE: 49
LOCATION: Central Indiana
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 150 lb (68.00 kg)

I have been backpacking for over 20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA. In addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and being outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid weight backpacker. I use fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than the bare essentials with me while on the trail.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

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Manufacturer: Pocket Shot LLC
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.thepocketshot.com/
MSRP: US $25.00
Listed Weight: NA
Measured Weight: 2oz (57g)
Available Colors: Black, Orange

Other details:
Dimensions when pouch is stowed: 2.38 in diameter x 2.3 in length (60 mm x 58 mm)
Dimensions when ready for use: 2.38 in diameter x 5 in length (70 mm x 127 mm)

Description: The Pocket Shot is a circular slingshot that shoots up to 350 fps (107 mps). In terms of size it is smaller than a normal slingshot and has the added benefit of being able to store ammo right inside of itself.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I was very impressed upon first seeing the Pocket Shot. I had no idea this product was on the market until I looked into it. The Pocket Shot puts a new twist on traditional slingshots, which date back to the late 1800's after the invention of vulcanized rubber. Of course, instead of using a forked tree branch and inner tube tire for construction, the Pocket Shot uses a high impact polycarbonate base, locking ring and latex pouch. The inventive design results in a 'slingshot' that shoots faster, and is smaller and lighter than anything else I've seen on the market today. In addition, the Pocket Shot stores its ammo right inside the pouch, with a cap threading over the locking ring to keep it secure. What more to like!

The Pocket Shot arrived with a black pouch pre-attached and ready for use. The black pouch is what the manufacturer refers to as their standard latex pouch, capable of sending projectiles at speeds up to 300 fps (91.4 mps), with a pull of 24 lb (10.8 kg). Stored inside the standard pouch was Pocket Shot's Pro pouch, which is blue in color and capable of reaching speeds up to 350 fps (107 mps). Per the manufacturer, the blue pouch has more snap but is less durable. The pouches are easily swapped by simply unscrewing the locking cap, slipping the black pouch off the base, and sliding the blue pouch on.

Per Pocket Shot, the average life of a pouch is between 200 and 400 shots. Life depends on the type of ammo used and how long and hard one pulls back before each shot. New pouches are available for sale on the manufacturer's website along with ammunition and various other accessories. Speaking of ammunition, recommendations include 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 inch (6.4, 7.9, and 9.5 mm) steel ball bearings, as well as marbles, lead, paintballs, smooth river rocks and various other items. Ammo under 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) and BBs are not recommended.

The fit and finish of the Pocket Shot was excellent and it appeared to be very well made. My only concern was what might happen if one of the steel balls hit the base ring by accident. After studying the Power Shot, I shot all of the orange colored 10 mm (0.39 in) ABS plastic balls and then quickly retreated to my house where I jumped on the internet to order more ammo because I could quickly see this becoming addictive.

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SUMMARY

The Pocket Shot is one cool slingshot. It is small, lightweight and has built-in storage for ammunition and extra pouches.


LONG TERM REPORT

LONG TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

target

I took the Pocket Shot on two overnight backpacking trips to Northern Wisconsin (WI) and Northern Ohio (OH) and two day-trips to Southern Indiana (IN).  Temperatures during testing ranged from -9 to 38 F (-23 to 3 C) and skies varied from sunny to overcast with significant snow accumulation while I was out-of-state.  During Long Term Testing I hiked a total of 18 mi (29 km).

My first trip of this test period was to Southern Indiana where skies were partly sunny and temperatures were in the upper 30s F (3 C).  During this trip I mainly focused on testing the Pocket Shot.

Location: Southern Indiana
Type of trip: Day trip
Distance: 0.5 mi (0.8 km)
Length of trip: One day
Backpack weight: 12 lb (5.4 kg)
Conditions: Partly sunny
Precipitation: None
Temperature range: 38 F (3 C)

My second trip of this test period was to Southern Indiana where skies were overcast with temperatures in the mid 30s F (1 C).  During this trip I hiked 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location: Southern Indiana
Type of trip: Day trip
Distance: 6 mi (10 km)
Length of trip: One day
Backpack weight: 9 lb (4 kg)
Conditions: Overcast
Precipitation: None
Temperature range: 34 F (1 C)

My third trip was to Northern Wisconsin where I stayed for four nights but only camped outside for one, due to frigid conditions.  While there I hiked the Devil's River Trail in Manitowoc County, which is a scenic trail that was built on an old railroad bed that runs parallel to highway I43 through farmlands and wetlands.

Location: Northern Wisconsin
Type of trip: On-trail hiking
Distance: 8 mi (13 km)
Length of trip: One night
Backpack weight: 38 lb (17 kg)
Conditions: Clear, cold and windy while camping; other days were overcast and saw snowfall
Precipitation: 7 in (18 cm)
Temperature range: -9 to 17 F (-23 to -8 C)

My last trip of this test period was to Northeastern Ohio where I camped for two nights and visited several state and local parks.  While there I also went cross-country skiing at Chapin Forest, which was one of the highlights of the trip.

Location: Northeastern Ohio
Type of trip: On-trail hiking and cross-country skiing
Distance: 9 mi (14.5 km)
Length of trip: Two nights
Backpack weight: 39 lb (18 kg)
Conditions: Partly sunny and warm
Precipitation: Brief mist on the second morning
Temperature range: 2 F to 19 F (-17 to -7 C)


PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The Pocket Shot performed well during Long Term Testing.  It was a blast to test and I'm probably going to keep it in my pack for future hikes just because it takes up so little space.  The criteria that I used to evaluate the Pocket Shot during Long Term Testing included the following: accuracy, penetration, comfort, ease of loading, portability, and durability.  For testing purposes, the target size was 8 x 18 in (20 x 46 cm) and the shooting distances were 10 ft (3 m) for short range, 20 ft (6 m) for medium range, and 35 ft (10.6 m) for long range.

Accuracy: I wasn't expecting to have problems hitting the target with the Pocket Shot because I was used to shooting a sling shot.  What I found out though was that I couldn't aim the Pocket Shot the same way that I aimed a sling shot, simply because it didn't have a handle and the pouch didn't stretch back nearly as far as the bands on a sling shot.  At first I found it difficult to get on target, but after a while I got the hang of it.  During my first two days of testing I hit the target eight out of ten times at short range but only 5 out of 10 times at medium range.  Over a several hour period I tried different techniques to improve my accuracy but it wasn't until my third time out with the Pocket Shot that I really felt dialed in.  When shooting from long range at a distance of 35 ft (10.6 m) I only managed to hit the target one time out of ten.  I eventually gave up because it was too difficult to see whether my shots were going left or right, or high or low.  I suspect it'd be more accurate with the handle and wrist brace, which are sold separately.  Regardless, the Pocket Shot was fun for plinking.

Penetration: During testing, I used the black pouch and both 1/4 in (0.6 cm) and 5/8 in (1.6 cm) steel balls for ammunition.  The target was made of 1 in (2.5 cm) thick, 3 lb (1.4 kg) density packaging foam and my shots were from short range.  The 1/4 in (0.6 cm) steel balls penetrated all the way thru the foam while the 5/8 in (1.6 cm) ammo only went in a short distance, approximately 1.5 in (3.8 cm).  Based on what I predicted the draw force to be as well as the distance that I was away from the target and how far the ammo penetrated, I estimated that the steel balls were traveling at 205 ft/s (62 m/s).  The Pocket Shot might have enough stopping power to get a squirrel or rabbit, if using 5/8 in (1.6 cm) ammo at close range.

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Ease of loading ammo: The Pocket Shot was by far the quickest loading slingshot I've ever used.  I could load ammo into the pouch in a matter of seconds.  From there, I simply gripped the ammo/pouch with my thumb and forefinger and pulled back on the pouch to aim and fire.  Reloading was almost as quick, depending whether the pouch turned inside out after being shot.  I found that I typically drew the pouch back approximately 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm).   I estimate the draw back force was 25 lbf (111 N) based on my experience with other slingshots and bow and arrows.

Portability: Measuring 2.3 x 1.3 in (5.8 x 3.3 cm), the Pocket Shot easily fit in my pant pocket while hiking, although I often kept it in my coat pocket or backpack.  Getting it ready to shoot was extremely easy, as all I had to do was remove the screw-on lid then load it.  I also loved the fact that extra pouches and ammo could be stored inside the base and the lid screwed on securely so nothing could fall out.

Durability: The Pocket Shot has held up to several months of testing with no issues other than normal wear to the latex pouch.  The polycarbonate base and ring appear to be high quality and extremely strong.  I don't foresee any issues with them so the only item I'll need to replace is the pouch, which according to the manufacturer, should last 200 to 400 shots.

Pros:
-    Easy to load.  Can be loaded, drawn back and aimed in a few seconds
-    Reasonable accuracy at short distances
-    Compact and easy to carry in one's pocket.  Ammo can be carried in pouch.
-    Lightweight.  The Pocket Shot weighs a mere one ounce
-    Well made - durable
-    Modular - easy to replace pouches when they break.

Cons:
-    Difficult to pull back and aim blue pouch
-    Not as accurate or powerful as I hoped at long distances.

SUMMARY

This concludes my Long Term Report of the Pocket Shot slingshot. Thanks to Pocket Shot LLC for providing this item for testing and to BackpackGearTest.org for allowing me to participate in this test.

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.



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