Luke Cuenco 12.11.25
Slingshots have long been the companion of backyard enthusiasts and serious primitive marksmen alike, offering an ancient yet effective way to test skill and precision without the use of a firearm. The Simple Shot Axiom and the rest of the Simple Shot line of slingshots, for that matter, take that classic appeal and bring it into the modern era with modern materials, improved ergonomics, and modular designs suitable for both casual shooting and even more “serious” applications like competition. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at how the Axiom performs, its build quality, and see what a truly contemporary slingshot can offer people today.
Slingshot Coverage on AllOutdoor
AllOutdoor Review: The Simple Shot Axiom Slingshot
Evolved from the original Omega design and reengineered through careful attention to better balance, form, and function, the Axiom is the newest of the Simple Shot lineup of modern slingshots. Drawing inspiration from the golden ratio and modernizing the classic frame with durable materials, improved ergonomics, and integrated clips, the Axiom is intended for the experienced to advanced level of slingshot user. The Axiom distinguishes itself as being somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of complexity, experience needed to operate, and also by price.
Whether you’re a seasoned slingshot enthusiast or a newcomer looking for a reliable, beautifully designed tool, the Axiom Slingshot is built to provide an unparalleled shooting experience. With its roots in precision craftsmanship and a legacy of innovation, the Axiom stands as a testament to the art of slingshot making.
For contrast, the much simpler Simple Shot Sparrow is only $24.99, and has a more traditional, albeit proven design. The Axiom is meant for the intermediate user looking for a simple, easy-to-use, and maintain slingshot. The Axiom comes with two bands, one for clay and one for steel ammo, as well as two sample packs of both their 9mm steel ammo as well as their 9mm clay slingshot ammo. The Axiom is just 39.99 and is available in 4 different colors, and when ordered with 500 rounds of clay slingshot ammo is still less than $50.
First Impressions
I’m not typically a slingshot guy; I had a few wrist rockets growing up, and I’ve dabbled a bit with Slingbow setups and just never taken any of it very seriously. Testing out the Axiom actually gave me a good reason to improve my technique, especially since the Axiom uses an OTT (over-the-top) attachment method – an older method of band attachment that typically requires a better-tuned band for the ammo you’re shooting (to avoid hand slap). The opposing method of attachment, TTF (through the forks), is typically looked at as just as viable and is often the choice of attachment for the world’s top slingshot target shooters. However, OTT is just as accurate, and when it comes to attaching and reattaching bands, the Axiom actually benefits from this design.
The fiber optic sights are something new to me when it comes to slingshots. While they’re not used in quite the same way as fiber optic sights on a pistol or rifle, they still serve the purpose of providing you with a nice aiming reference. The grip has a great texture throughout the grip, and the material itself is extremely sturdy and feels like the same type of material that glass breakers are made from.
Setting the Axiom up is extremely easy because of the integrated clips and the included “lollipop” allen key that is attached via a short piece of paracord. The band is simply attached by slipping the bands into the witness-marked clips and finger-tightening the bands into the clips. Although having the tool attached to the slingshot is nice, I decided to move mine to a small MOLLE pouch where I’ve been storing all of my slingshot stuff. Simple Shot offers a nice little GoBag that keeps all of your ammo, spare bands, and slingshot in a nice hip-mounted bag if you want to use something a bit more refined for slingshot gear storage.
Shooting the Axiom
The Axiom is incredibly easy to use, and just like the marketing material said, there was no need to tune the bands when they were used with their intended ammo. Using the incorrect type or weight of ammo with the wrong band on an OTT sling shot can lead to annoying and often painful band slap. Band slap, sometimes called hand slap, occurs when the bands propel the ammo forward but still retain leftover energy that isn’t fully absorbed by the projectile. Instead of releasing cleanly, the bands recoil and snap back into the shooter’s hand, causing an uncomfortable, sometimes painful impact.
This usually happens if the ammo is too light for the strength of the bands or the bands are too strong for the ammo used. The good news is band slap is completely avoidable and actually already taken care of for you by Simple Shot by matching your bands to the weight of your ammo. Alternatively, you can also try switching to a TTF (through-the-forks) shooting style, which greatly reduces the chance of bands hitting your hand, thus allowing you to use pretty much whatever you can get your hands on when it comes to ammo.
The Multi-Purpose band that came with the axiom is indeed capable of band slap, but it’s fairly benign, and I’m not the least bit worried about any permanent injury from it at this power level of the band. The clay ammo is probably actually more pleasant to shoot, and is also completely biodegradable, which is a neat feature. What makes the clay ammo even cooler is that it’s still magnetic, so you can still make use of the belt-mounted ammo holders. Although the website does say the clay ammo disintegrates upon impact with a hard surface, you should still be aware that these are entirely capable of punching holes through some pretty dense materials, and are even capable of causing significant damage to interior drywall, glass, and objects with similar density. The point here is that you should still treat this sling shot like any other lethal weapon.
The fiber optic sights were pretty helpful and with just a few practice sessions I was able ot pretty reliably hit a 3″ target at about 7 yards distance. I’m not accurate enough to tell you whether or not the clay ammo is more accurate to shoot than the 9mm steel ammo, but I presume the answer is functionally no, with the Axiom and the provided bands only being able to give you so much range. For now, I’m pretty happy with shooting the clay ammo, which is pretty inexpensive, and doesn’t run the risk of getting shot out of my lawn mower at 200 mph.
Final Thoughts
The Simple Shot Axiom has quite honestly started me on a whole new hobby. To me, the Axiom is a slingshot that respects tradition while stepping firmly into the modern era with some neat, albeit not entirely necessary, features. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the design, from the balanced shape to the practical touches like integrated clips and fiber optic sights. Whether you’re someone who’s been shooting slingshots for years or just getting into it again like me, the Axiom feels like a good way to start doing that without having to try and DIY something together that may or may not perform like you’d expect.
I wasn’t really a hardcore slingshot person before, but the Axiom made me want to improve my aim and technique. The OTT band setup might seem old-school, but it’s surprisingly effective once you get bands that match your ammo. Speaking of which, the included clay ammo not only shoots well but is also extremely cheap at about $10 a bag of 500. Overall, the Axiom would make a great new hobby for the avid outdoorsman, a great gift for just about anyone, and at the very least, a fun way to get you and your friends back into something from your childhood when you’re out camping next. If you want a slingshot that’s more than just a backyard toy, the Axiom is definitely worth a look.
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