Looking for the Best Pistol Crossbows? Read on to discover the best on the market.
Do you love to spend most of your free time hunting and pistols are your preferred hunting equipment? Pistol crossbows are specially designed to give you a great outdoor hunting experience. They might be smaller and less powerful compared to traditional crossbows, however, they still pack a punch.
Pistol crossbows are ideal for small game hunting as well as general target practice. In addition, they are ideal for teenagers who would love to practice hunting artillery.
Choosing the best can turn out to be challenging, especially for beginners and with so many features to choose from. To help in your decision-making, we have compiled a list of the Best Pistol Crossbows for you.
Best Pistol Crossbows-Our Top Picks
1) Cobra System K-8025 Self Cocking Pistol Tactical Crossbow
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This Cobra System Self Cocking Pistol Tactical Crossbow has an 80 lb. draw weight and its prime shooting distance is around 15 yards. It features an easy-to-use cocking mechanism and is ideal for target practice and small-game hunting. Its body is made of hard plastic and compressed, molded fiberglass which makes it sturdy and durable. Each crossbow features 15 aluminum arrows with metal tips and adjustable tactical sight. Its new self-cocking mechanism makes the crossbow safer to use and far less tiring to use. A faster cocking mechanism shortens reload time, enabling you to get off more shots faster. Proper care and maintenance are required to prolong its lifespan. Maintenance includes waxing of the string to minimize friction which damages the string as well as applying rail rube often on the rail slide. Features
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2) Prophecy 80 Pound Self-cocking Pistol Crossbow
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This is a pistol crossbow fashioned after Barnett Commando Pistol of the late 80s. Its body is made of aluminum however its grip handle is made of plastic which is crafted in a manner to allow a wood look and feel. You will have to assemble this crossbow because it doesn’t come assembled, however, the instructions are simple to understand even if it is your first time. It is capable of shooting accurately up to 15 yards and comes with 3 bolts. It is very powerful having a firing speed of up to 165 FPS and an 80 lb. draw weight. It is recommended that you purchase aftermarket bolts because the included ones aren’t of good quality. Features
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3) PSE Viper SS Crossbow Viper SS Handheld Crossbow
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The PSE Viper Crossbow is one of the Best Pistol Crossbows and popular recreational crossbows you will find on the market. It is the ideal crossbow for any beginner who wants to practice crossbow shooting. It is small and lightweight but tough. It fires faster than other pistol crossbows with an accurate firing range of up to 20 yards. Equipped with better sight, this small crossbow is capable of hitting targets up to 40 yards accurately. It features a solid polymer construction and a plastic mounting slide. It comes with 3 aluminum bolts, however, you can purchase more if the need arises. Its handle is easy to cock and the trigger pulls with ease. Its unique foregrip is a nice feature that enhances shooting accuracy. To keep its string in the best condition, you should purchase wax and apply it often. You can trust this pistol crossbow to deliver excellent results while fishing, small game hunting, or target shooting. Features
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4) Manticore SAS 150 Pound Pistol Crossbow
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If you are looking for a lightweight and solid pistol crossbow which can be used in hunting large animals, the Manticore SAS is the ideal crossbow you might be looking for. It is one of the most powerful pistol crossbows with a draw weight of 150 pounds and 210 FPS arrow speed. At this high speed, this crossbow delivers impressive accuracy at a distance of up to 60 yards and it features high-tech fiberglass limbs to enhance its efficiency. These limbs can bend easily and release swiftly to produce the necessary thrust for maximum efficiency. It also features an aluminum barrel designed to easily withstand the pressure that the string exerts on the limbs making it one of the Best Pistol Crossbows. Its foot claw provides the user with an easier cocking time while its auto-safety cocking mechanism prevents accidental firing after cocking your bow. Features
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5) KingsArchery Self-cocking Crossbow
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This is one of the best pistol crossbows for small-game hunting. It has a draw weight of 80 lb. Its durable fiberglass construction makes it lightweight which in turn makes it comfortable to handle when hunting. It comes with a scope that enhances accuracy while hunting in the woods. It comes with 27 aluminum arrows, therefore you don’t need to buy new bolts once you have the sights. This crossbow also features a convenient self-cocking lever which makes it safe and easy to use while allowing you to reload your arrows faster in order to fire one after the other. Features
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6) Barnett Jackal Pistol Crossbow
The weight and power of this Barnett Jackal Crossbow are incredible! Its sleek military-style stock is lightweight and compact. It features a Picatinny rail divided foregrip for comfortable hand placement. Its quad limb assembly is combined with high-energy wheels and a synthetic string and cable system which shoots arrows at a powerful speed of 315 feet per second. It has a draw weight of 150 lb. and a 3.5 lb. trigger pull. It also features a scope that enhances accuracy. Its cocking rope makes it really easy to cock this bow. Most of its users say that it is accurate and easy to assemble. Climate-controlled storage and waxing of the string every 10 shots are greatly recommended to make it last longer. Features
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Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Pistol Crossbows
Draw weight
Draw weight refers to the amount of weight required when you pull back the crossbow. The further you pull the more the weight you have until you reach the maximum.
The best pistol crossbows have higher draw weights which help bolts fly further if you want to acquire a more powerful shot. Draw weights of pistol crossbow range between 50-200 lbs.
Size
Size does matter when it comes to pistol crossbows. The lighter in weight the better. Lightweight crossbows are easier to carry over long distances or in tight confines. Compared to full-sized crossbows, pistol crossbow produces less power however they make up for that in their size advantages.
Self-cocking feature
A pistol crossbow without this feature is basically useless. The self-cocking feature makes it simple for you or your child to use the pistol crossbow. What will be required of you is to just pull back the bow and fire. It is also important to choose a crossbow with this feature if you are a beginner learning how to use a pistol crossbow.
Pre-assembled or not
Some pistol crossbows come pre-assembled. However, some will come in parts and you will be required to assemble them yourself. Those that come pre-assembled are usually hit and miss when it comes to directions.
Those that aren’t assembled usually have a self-explanatory procedure on how to assemble them. If it is your first time buying a pistol crossbow, it will be the best idea to go for one which is already assembled.
Scope
Comparing the different types of pistol crossbows available on the market, you will find that all of them have some sort of aiming mechanism fitted. Some even feature pre-equipped scopes to enhance shooting accuracy. A good and effective view can do wonders especially when it comes to target practice.
If you intend to use your pistol crossbow for hunting purposes, it is better to go for one that comes with a scope. This will enhance your firing accuracy irrespective of your distance. You should also check the type of scope that you get for your pistol crossbow. In addition, it will also be a good idea to learn how to use the scope and how to swap the light.
Additional supplies
A number of pistol crossbows feature different types of supplies such as extra string, bolts, and string wax. Therefore, it is better to check for the supplies that come with the crossbow of your choice, because not every pistol crossbow will provide you with such supplies. This will help you determine which extra supplies you will be required to purchase separately.
Best Pistol Crossbows FAQs
- What if I don’t want to hunt, can I use a pistol crossbow for recreational use?
Yes, you can! If you prefer recreational use to hunt, you should choose a recurve crossbow. They might not be as powerful as compound crossbows, however, the purpose of more power is to bring down large game.
- Does a pistol crossbow have the same long-range ability as a hunting rifle?
No. Pistol crossbows are not as powerful as a hunting rifles and they have a smaller shooting range. A typical pistol crossbow will have an average of 80ft. lbs of kinetic energy while a typical hunting rifle will have an average of around 1200 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy.
- How do I keep my crossbow strings and cables in good shape?
To extend the life of your pistol crossbows’ string and cables, you should wax them using the manufacturer’s recommended wax.
- I am having a difficult time cocking my pistol crossbow, what can I do to make this simpler?
A cocking device is a solution to such a problem. Cocking devices are quite affordable and will minimize the draw weight of your crossbow by almost half. Cocking devices available on the market are mostly compatible with most crossbows. Crank cocking devices are other options that can be used in place of cocking devices. Their downside is that they are more expensive and can only be used with certain crossbows. The market offers a wide selection of both.
- Can a kid use a pistol crossbow?
Yes. We definitely want to encourage the next generation of pistol crossbow users in every way possible. However, adult supervision and guidance are a must when your kid is using this equipment because safety comes first. Pistol crossbows reviewed above are easy to use, and therefore ideal for children too.
Advantages of the Best Pistol Crossbows
- Easy to use. They have a self-cocking feature that makes it easy for you or your child to use it.
- Ideal for different activities such as small game hunting, target practice, and recreational use.
- Pistol crossbows are very lightweight making them comfortable to use as well as carry around when hunting.
- Pistol crossbows offer great power with minimal effort required and are often simpler to aim and fire. In addition, there is almost no recoil in a pistol crossbow.
Conclusion
If you are searching for the best pistol crossbows whether, for hunting, target shooting, or looking for a gift to get your loved one, all reviewed above are top-rated.
No matter what you are looking for in a pistol crossbow, it’s our hope that this review offers detailed information on what you are looking for and you have been able to find the ideal crossbow to suit your needs.