Nothing Says Love Like a Bandit

Ever get a gift for someone, then realize it’s so awesome you have to get one for yourself? That’s pretty much what happened when I picked up the Bandit Rubber Band Sheriff Shotgun Kit for a friend of mine. Designed by Kansas City, Missouri-based maker Robert Coulston, the bandit is laser-cut from birch plywood, super easy to assemble, and has a great form factor. My only complaint is that it’s a little too much fun to use.

You snap the pieces together with binding bolts (no glue) in about 15 minutes, and the result is rad. Who doesn’t want a 10-shot, pump-action rubber band gun? It has three modes: single shot, rapid fire, and shotgun blast. With single shot, you load the 10 rubber bands, then pump and shoot each one. With rapid fire, you load the rubber bands on one notch and can blast them all simultaneously. And with rapid fire, you load, then keep the trigger pulled, and pump each shot. It’s good, clean, incredibly satisfying fun.

And of course, I do love the fact that the kit is maker-made here in the U.S. From their site:

The rubber band guns were created with the spirit of family in mind. Robert Coulston’s own three children inspired the invention, when they refused to settle for an old-fashioned rubber band gun. After hundreds of prototypes and lots of hands-on time, Coulston finally landed on a rubber band gun they loved. He had invented the world’s first, multi-action rubber band shot gun in an easy-to-build kit.

Clearly Coulston and his clan know how to have fun. Check out this video they made:

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