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Discussion: Non-Firearm and pre-modern ranged weapons.
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Braydonn |
Non-Firearm and pre-modern ranged weapons.
Jan 15 2012, 9:01 PM EST
| Post edited: Jan 16 2012, 1:09 AM EST
This is my first post, so I hope it isn't too bad.Firearms have hundreds of advantages over other ranged weapons. Stopping power, accuracy and ease of use to name a few. If in an event of a Zombie Apocalypse firearms should be one of your first choices in weaponry to combat the living dead plaguing your nation. Not only are they useful for dispatching zombies, they can aid you in hunting and other tasks. Whether you have thought of it or not ammunition isn't infinite and there may be a time when you completely run out or come close to running out of it. If you are looking to conserve ammunition or simply can't get your hands on firearms there are other alternative ranged weapons that can help you fight the undead, hunt for food, or defend your base from hostile survivors. These weapons have been used throughout the ages with varied success, although they have been phased out through history their benifits in combat and hunting are still very much evident, their downfall is that they require a lot more training than modern firearms to become effective with. Atlatl - The atlatl was used by native Americans and could hurl darts at over 93mph, it works by effectively extending the users arm, making it capable of throwing the darts over 100m! The biggest downside to the Atlatl is that it took much practice to remotely get accurate and the darts are very bulky, making carrying it very inconvenient. These dart throwing devices were used in bulk to bring down mammoths and other large prey, but the question is, could it kill a zombie? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlatl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VlOpwsj09c&feature=related I seem to have reached my character limit but I will be adding a few more weapons below. Feel free to add some that I have missed out! Do you find this valuable?
Keyword tags:
and
Arrow
Atlatl
Bow
Crossbow.
Non-Firearm
Pre modern
Pre-modern
ranged
Sling
Slingshots
weapons
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chitoryu12 |
1. RE: Non-Firearm and pre-modern ranged weapons.
Jan 15 2012, 9:41 PM EST
I have personally seen an atlatl used on an open field, and it can achieve greater ranges and speeds than a standard thrown spear. The difficulty comes with accurate flinging; while it's fine hitting a target the size of an elephant or even a large buck (with an obscene amount of practice to even get that good), you'll have better luck running up to a human target and stabbing him than hitting him with an atlatl from any safe distance. The spear moves relatively slowly and with the high arc of the throw, is quite difficult to land on such a small target. Considering the accuracy and projectile speed at range, an atlatl versus a Walther PPK is little contest.
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chitoryu12 |
2. RE: Non-Firearm and pre-modern ranged weapons.
Jan 15 2012, 9:44 PM EST
As a general note, the reason firearms became so popular even when they were weaker and much less accurate and larger than bows was because it takes very little training to learn how to effectively use a rifle. Modern advances have made firearms not only easier to use than bows and other primitive weapons, but also far more powerful, longer range, and more accurate.The biggest issue with any of these old weapons is that it takes many, many hours of training and practice and good physical condition to use them even close to as effectively as a cheap rifle. While the ammo is simpler to manufacture on a personal level than brass cartridges and they're quite silent, they're outclassed by cheap firearms in pretty much every other respect. Outside of these specific purposes, you're better off going through all the red tape of your country to buy a shotgun. Do you find this valuable? |
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Braydonn |
3. Reply
Jan 15 2012, 10:09 PM EST
| Post edited: Jan 15 2012, 10:14 PM EST
Yeah I have to completely agree with you, firearms are far more effective and easier to use. Primitive style ranged weapons may take time to perfect but after the zombie apocalypse all you really have is time and another aspect to take note of is that because they are silent it means you can train with them without giving away your whereabouts or attract attention. I don't mean for these to be your primary weapon of use but rather an alternative to guns if you're trying to conserve ammunition.
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LJ126 |
4. RE:
Jan 15 2012, 11:22 PM EST
The gunshow we went to earlier today had some interesting pre-firearm weapons there. There was some pretty cool Native American stuff, including flint and chert tomahawks, spears, knives, and some bows too. On the other side of the show, there were some really decent handmade slingshots too.
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Braydonn |
5. Slings
Jan 15 2012, 11:46 PM EST
| Post edited: Jan 16 2012, 1:04 AM EST
Sling- A sling is one of the most basic weapons ever created, it is essentially two pieces of string with a pouch. One of the ends of string is wrapped around the middle finger the other is held between the thumb and the index, the a stone is inserted into the pouch. The sling is swung and the fingers released hurling the stone at such speeds it has 7 times the power needed to crack a skull. This weapons main advantages are the fact that it takes up nearly no room and is very light. Another advantage is the fact that it can use nearly any stone that fits in it's pouch as ammunition this means ammunition would never be a problem. The biggest drawback is that even with training the sling is still very inaccurate, hitting a zombies head from any range further than 5 metres would be incredibly difficult. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sling_(weapon) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc_rAly4oLY&feature=related Do you find this valuable? |
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LJ126 |
6. RE: RE:
Jan 15 2012, 11:49 PM EST
PS: Welcome to the site.
1
out of
1 found this valuable.
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Braydonn |
7. RE: RE:
Jan 16 2012, 12:08 AM EST
"PS: Welcome to the site."Thankyou very much! 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
Zee-Man |
8. RE: RE:
Jan 16 2012, 12:48 AM EST
I am digging this thread. Baydonn has a very good approach to the idea, showing pros and cons. Its a refreshing realistic look at the primitive weapons.
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Braydonn |
9. Blowgun
Jan 16 2012, 1:21 AM EST
| Post edited: Jan 16 2012, 1:36 AM EST
Thankyou Zee-Man!Blowgun/ blowpipe- The Blowgun is a very basic weapon that fires light projectiles and darts. It is used by inserting a dart into a pipe then blowing sharply into the end. The blowgun was never really intended as a weapon to use against humans. It is much further suited to hunting small game such as rabbits, birds and squirrels. Usually the ends of the darts were coated in a deadly poision to give it extra stopping power. The uses of this weapon during the zombie apocalypse are very limited, it could make a suitable small game hunting weapon, but would take much practice to do so. The effects this weapon would have on a zombie would be miniscule, the darts themselves would do very little to no damage at all. It is unknown if zombies would suffer to the effects of poison. This weapon serves little use during the zombie apocalypse except as a small game hunting weapon or a flimsy club. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowgun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9vELPytbU4 Do you find this valuable? |
Madurjafro |
10. RE: Blowgun
Jan 16 2012, 2:18 AM EST
Anyone think of using Muskets and such? I mean you could make the powder for it. It's just that I will be standing well away when you do make it. While they are quite inaccurate, you could put rifling in the barrel, and just have 5 man hunting groups, to increase the chance of a hit.Also spare a thought for melee weapons, take off a car door, you now have a shield. Take a metal pipe, beat stuff with it. atleast shielding yourself will protect you from the zeds. Wear a Hockey mask to protect from blood and your set to go, maybe not from humans but zeds should be fine. Do you find this valuable? |
SasquatchJim |
11. RE: Blowgun
Jan 16 2012, 6:15 AM EST
"Anyone think of using Muskets and such? I mean you could make the powder for it. It's just that I will be standing well away when you do make it. While they are quite inaccurate, you could put rifling in the barrel, and just have 5 man hunting groups, to increase the chance of a hit.Well, the problem I see with muskets is that most cartridge-firing guns can be loaded with black power as well (excluding semi-autos.) it won't be as effective as smokeless, but it'd be easier to load and operate than a musket. Also, putting rifling in a gun is very difficult without the proper tools. Do you find this valuable? |
FrankLeeDeRainged |
12. RE: Blowgun
Jan 16 2012, 6:43 AM EST
Watching 'The Dead' (2010) last night, here's a trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRN1Z75hXwA And there's the usual deal with huge mob of zeds besieging a walled compound so no-one has thought of making any variations along the lines of Filipino war yoyo so they can sit on top of the wall and smash heads. Its only "were f**ked 'cos the ammo's run out!" Well if you didn't have any ammo to start with you might just have gotten creative. . . _ Do you find this valuable? |
Filadog |
13. RE: Blowgun
Jan 16 2012, 7:12 AM EST
"Anyone think of using Muskets and such? I mean you could make the powder for it. It's just that I will be standing well away when you do make it. While they are quite inaccurate, you could put rifling in the barrel, and just have 5 man hunting groups, to increase the chance of a hit.People always say how easy gunpowder is to make... but I'm still waiting to hear from someone that actually madesome. I'm not talking about ordering some saltpeter and sulfer through the mail and mixing it with some charcoal. but making the componets it from scratch. Probably a good bit more harder then reading about how it's made. If you can't make it now sure aint going to be able to then. Smooth bore muskets if loaded correctly are much more accurate then people give them credit for. Out to 50 yds probably no practical difference between one and a rifled gun especialy if the smooth bore has good sights. I use a smoothbore 62 cal flintlock for deer hunting and never felt handicaped, Is probably the best all around muzzleloader which why they were so popular originaly with settlers and natives Ever pick up a car door? I think if you do you will see they are pretty heavy and not to say awkward. to hold... if you are fantasizing about sheilds go with a metal trash can lid Do you find this valuable? |
timberrattler |
14. RE: Blowgun
Jan 16 2012, 7:36 AM EST
| Post edited: Jan 16 2012, 7:37 AM EST
"Watching 'The Dead' (2010) last night, here's a trailer:http://www.zombiesurvivalwiki.com/page/Allowing+entry+and+controlling+the+breach+plan I never came up with any yo-yo ideas but I've always loved the idea of a trebuche. I came up with this plan as kind of a joke at first. Then I put a little effort into it. I'm not sure that its that practical of an idea but I think it'd work great in a Hollywood movie and if I ever get around to writing a book this is going to be in there. I think that ammo should be conserved at all costs, even if you have a stockpile. Do you find this valuable? |
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Filadog |
15. RE: Non-Firearm and pre-modern ranged weapons.
Jan 16 2012, 8:30 AM EST
I've been thinking about making an Atlatl , I have a friend that is into them and have tried his out...pretty neat. He has practiced alot with his and he can hit a milk jug about every time at 30 feet...... I thnk if he was throwing one at you 40 yds away you would be in dangerHe wanted to use it for deer hunting but not legal where he lives so has been talking about going on a wild hog hunt down south with it Easier to make then a bow, it's basicaly just a big arrow. I don't think it would be all that much harder to carry a couple of the darts as it would be a bow, especially a long bow Do you find this valuable? |
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Braydonn |
16. RE: Non-Firearm and pre-modern ranged weapons.
Jan 16 2012, 8:43 AM EST
"I've been thinking about making an Atlatl"I remember making one about 4 years ago except due to my terrible lack of craftsmanship the thrower snapped in half on one of the first throws! I am planning on making a better one tomorrow though! Do you find this valuable? |
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chitoryu12 |
17. RE: Non-Firearm and pre-modern ranged weapons.
Jan 16 2012, 3:07 PM EST
An atlatl was probably the first ranged weapon that wasn't a spear simply because of how simple the design is: you put a notch in the top-back of a stick and thrust it forward with a spear-throwing motion. It acts like a lever and adds strength to the throw, giving it a higher velocity.Making an atlatl if you have woodworking skills is basically trial and error to figure out exactly where to put the notch and how to shape it. Do you find this valuable? |
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Braydonn |
18. Bolas
Jan 16 2012, 5:45 PM EST
| Post edited: Jan 16 2012, 5:47 PM EST
Bolas- The bolas is essentially string with small weights tied to the end. It is aimed at the targets legs and used to entangle. This weapon could be used during the zombie apocalypse as a hunting weapon for small to medium game hunting tool. (depending on your ability) The Bolas is a very difficult weapon to master and even when you have mastered it is very difficult to throw it and have it actually wrap around the targets legs. It could also be used to entangle zombies, maybe there is a stray zombie nearby your fortification and you wish to dispose of it without drawing too much attention to yourself, the bolas could be utilised to entangle the zombies legs. Thus allowing you to quickly dispatch of the zombie at close range.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb3QEqqzAt8 Do you find this valuable? |
x-wolfhunter |
19. RE: Bolas
Jan 16 2012, 6:19 PM EST
I commend you for this thread, Braydonn. Props to ya.Chit: The purpose of this thread is only to discuss weapons PZD. You can't buy "cheap guns" PZD, so you should not discuss them in this thread. Here's a list of the homemade range weapons I plan to us if SHTF:
That's basically what I see myself making and utilizing PZD. The gun I would leave mostly to fending off raiders or in situations where I have no choice but to use it. Do you find this valuable? |
