When it comes to selecting a projectile weapon for a survival situation, it's pretty hard to beat a modern rifle. Just take a look at our Ruger 10/22 takedown survival rifle build if you don't believe us. However, there are plenty of instances when a rifle is not practical, or simply is not available. Maybe you have a weapon but ran out of ammunition, or maybe your firearm was left behind, damaged, or destroyed during a survival scenario. What sort of projectile weapon can you build from everyday materials?
There's an obvious choice, and that's a bow. This tried-and-true weapon has been used effectively for millennia, and it requires no complex materials or expensive tools. In fact, it's possible to construct a powerful bow with a piece of PVC pipe from a local hardware store, and you don't even need power tools or a heat source.
The following video from ZNA Productions on YouTube shows how it's done. You may recognize the host from another video we shared, where he improvises a karambit knife from an old wrench.
Here's a recap of the items used in the video to construct the basic PVC pipe bow:
Later in the video, the host shows some other PVC bow designs he has used, which range from larger straight bows, to recurve bows, to a compound bow with pulleys. As for arrows, you'll be best off using proper arrows from a sporting goods store. But, if those aren't available, not to worry—you can make your own arrows as well. Here's another video from ZNA Productions that shows how to do it:
Obviously, we're not saying that it's ideal to chuck all your firearms in the dumpster and adopt a bow for all your survival needs. But a DIY bow and arrows can provide an excellent backup weapon that's silent, reliable, and can even be fun to make.
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Written by Patrick McCarthy
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