Blowguns - An Old But Accurate Weapon

Possibly the closest most people will ever get to a blowgun is by seeing it in a movie or television show

. One of the characters, usually a tribal man of some kind, will sneak up on his opponent, blow through a hallowed out piece of wood and suddenly his prey goes down for the count. Ignoring the Hollywood special effects, this is a pretty good portrayal of how blowguns work. The weapon consists of a small tube, usually made from hallowed out wood or bamboo, and specially crafted darts. The user would insert a dart into the tube and then blow into the tube to shoot it at their target.

No one really knows how this primitive weapon was developed. The only thing that is known is it was in use by simultaneous in many cultures around the world. Indigenous tribes of South East Asia, the Amazon, Guiana regions of South America, and some Native Americans used blowguns to take down their target. Often the darts were dipped in poison that either paralyzed or killed the target depending on the hunter's intentions; whether they were hunting down their enemies or dinner for the night. Today, the weapon is used almost exclusively for sport.

Blowguns come in a variety of sizes ranging from 18 inches to 72 inches. The longer the blowgun, the more momentum is picked up and the faster and longer the dart will go. In the past they were made out of wood of some kind but the most common materials used today are aluminum and carbon reinforced plastic. The darts themselves are still made out of hardwoods and can have any type of material, like feather tips or animal fur, for the fletch. However, shooting darts isn't the only thing blowguns are used for. These weapons are also very popular in paintball games.

Purchasing the best blowgun for you depends on what you are going to use it for. If you are purchasing blowguns to participate in the Japanese sport, Fukiya, then your gun must adhere to regulation length and diameter. For paintball sports, the diameter must be identical in size to the paintball. For everyone else, go with what you are comfortable with. You may want to start small and then work your way up as your skills improve. Blowguns can be purchased in a number of places including online. Work with a knowledgeable company who will make your buying experience pleasant.

by: Steve Thibeault

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