A Brief Introduction To Crossbows

Crossbows - Your perfect hunting accomplice

History

Crossbow derived its name from the word ballista, which is a torsion siege engine that resembled a crossbow. Crossbows have played an important role in wars and hunting. This was used in Europe, East Asia and the Mediterranean. Invented in China, the crossbow was and upgrade to the weapons used in warfare. Prior to crossbows, hunters and warriors used the traditional bow and arrow and this was the most specialized weapon used at that time. The bow and arrow required a lot of physical strength, expertise, and training.

Due to these abilities, archers or bowmen were considered superior. The crossbow broke this norm and gave everyone the ability to shoot with accuracy. The weapon was cheap and simple to use. Due to the simplicity of the crossbow, all soldiers and hunters rather than a few specialized sharpshooters could use the weapon. This enabled all countries to have a large range of crossbow men at their disposal. The crossbow era also ended the reign of the armored aristocratic knight in Europe.

Origin

The crossbow is said to have originated in China around 5th Century BC. The crossbow was used for military purposes during the 4th Century BC. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the crossbow, many indications lead to China as the inventors of the weapon. Crossbows in China date back to as early as 6th Century BC. The earliest crossbows were made with bronze triggers and were found in the tombs of many Chinese warriors.

Repeating Crossbow

The repeating crossbow was also developed in China. The repeating crossbow combines the actions of stringing the bow along with placing the bolt and shooting. This could be completed with a single hand movement and also helped keep the crossbow stationary. The repeating crossbow had a higher rate of firing than a normal crossbow. This helped warriors during combat and warfare.

Crossbows today are used mainly for sporting and hunting purposes. Modern archery has bow hunting as a shooting sport. Since crossbows are less regulated than firearms, it is a popular weapon for hunting. Many hunting spots have a crossbow only season as well.

Military Use

Crossbows are no longer used for assassination as in the medieval times. Although some armies are still equipped with crossbows, they are used to establish a zip-line for difficult terrains. Brazil also trains its soldiers in the use of crossbows. This is however only for improving precision. The US army trains a team of soldiers in crossbow warfare to detonate and trip landmines. In Serbia, the crossbow is still used as a sniper weapon. Special Forces in Turkey and Greece also continue the use of crossbows. Spain uses the crossbow as a weapon too. In Asia, China is a great exponent of the crossbow. They have a specially trained unit called the Snow Leopard Commando Unit. The last use of crossbows was seen in the riots in Xinjiang that broke out in July 2009.

Legal Issues

The crossbow is known to generate far greater force and precision than a bow and arrow. One of the advantages of a crossbow is holding the tension for a long time and being prepared. With a bow and arrow, even the strongest archer could not hold the tension for long. The only disadvantage of a crossbow is that it is heavier than a bow and has a slower rate of shooting. The Catholic Church banned the use of crossbows against Christians in 1139.

Crossbows face a legal issue when it comes to its lethal potential. Many consider it as lethal as firearms. Although there are many countries that have banned the weapon, there are countries where the crossbow owner does not need a license. Most federal countries have legalized the crossbow for hunting activities.

Modern day crossbows

Barnett BCX-CRT

There are various types of crossbows available in the market today. The Barnett BCX-CRT crossbow package is an entry-level piece intended for beginners. Although it is designed for novice hunters, the experience shooters will also not stay away from this due to its swiftness and accuracy. The crossbow also offers low noise output and generates a lot of power.

Invader G3

The Invader G3 by Wicked Ridge is also an amazing crossbow available in the market. It is a lot less expensive than the Barnett BCX and does not compromise on performance as well. The Invader G3 has a simple mechanism and is a better crossbow for someone who has some experience with crossbows. Although not the quietest, it is a powerful crossbow to own.

Matrix 380

Another amazing crossbow is the Matrix 380 by Excalibur. This is a higher priced crossbow and is reliable, powerful, and amazingly accurate. This crossbow comes with a safety feature that helps during transportation. The drawback to this crossbow is that it is heavy to operate. Also, if you are not using the upgrades that come along with it, you may go in for a less expensive model.

TenPoint Vapor

The TenPoint Vapor is also a crossbow that offers incredible accuracy. This crossbow is known to be as accurate as a rifle. If you are looking for a silent crossbow, then this is not for you. The only disappointing factor of this crossbow is the accessories that come with it. If you are ready to invest the money, TenPoint is one of the best in the industry.

Matrix 405 Mega

Lastly, the Matrix 405 Mega by Excalibur is definitely the top of the line. This crossbow if perfect for beginners or professionals. The crossbow even comes fitted with an amazing scope. There is hardly any downside to this crossbow except for maybe the price.

With the range of crossbows available in the market today, you need to decide what you will use it for. You need to decide if you want to use it only for target practice or hunting. You need to decide what you are looking for in your crossbow as well. You need to decide the speed, accuracy, noise, arrow track, draw weight, and the overall weight of the crossbow. There are additional features also available with many crossbows. Make a wise decision.