Best Crossbow For Self Defense (5 Killer Choices)


Best Crossbow For Self Defense

Although surviving in the wilderness or during the apocalypse requires a certain skill set and know-how, it’s also safe to say that certain tools and/or weapons are necessary to stay as safe and secure as possible when sh*t hits the fan. Having a durable weapon at your side that you can use to protect you and your loved ones is one of the most important things to have as a prepper, and one of our favorite choices for this is the best crossbow for self defense.

Just what constitutes a crossbow as the best of the best? The answer to that question comes with a lot of variables, including your budget, desired features, range, and a lot more. In this guide, we’re going to be breaking down 5 of the best crossbows that you can currently purchase and looking into everything they bring to the table.

If you’re looking for a discussion on the compound bow vs crossbow ark debate, you won’t find that here. This is a guide dedicated to explaining the best self-defense crossbows and nothing else, and with that said, here’s what we found.

1. Barnett Recruit Compound Crossbow Package

Barnett is the maker of the first crossbow on this list, and the exact name of it is the Recruit Compound Crossbow Package. This is quickly turning into one of the most popular crossbows around, and after taking a look at everything this tool has to offer, it’s no surprise as to why so many people are using it.

Barnett Recruit Compound Crossbow Package

The overall draw weight of the unit is 130-pounds, and there’s the ability to easily integrate a crank cocking device if you’d like to make use of one. The somewhat compact size means that women and teenagers alike should be able to handle the Recruit with ease, and the adjustable butt stock makes it possible to get the perfect grip and aim while using the bow.

Barnett advises that you wax the string about every 10 shots or so, and while this might be difficult to strictly follow if you find yourself in a dangerous situation where you need to fire off quite a few arrows in one setting, it’s important to try and stick by this rule as often as you can if you want to keep the Recruit in tiptop shape for as long as possible.

2. Cobra System K-8025 Self Cocking Pistol Tactical Crossbow

If you’re looking for a crossbow that’s a bit more compact and better suited for close-quarter situations, the Cobra System K-8025 Self Cocking Pistol Tactical Crossbow is a fantastic choice that is certainly worth taking a look at.

Cobra System K-8025 Self Cocking Pistol Tactical Crossbow

The pistol form factor is what makes the K-8025 so much smaller when compare to the Barnett Recruit, and while this does mean the range of the bow takes a bit of a hit, it’s still got plenty of power and is much better equipped when shooting at shorter distances than a full-sized crossbow.

The 80-pound draw means that you can get arrows flying up to 165 feet per second, and the super fast cocking mechanism means that reload times are considerably quicker than competing bows that use more traditional reloading methods.

You get three aluminum arrows included with the Cobra System K-8025 out of the box, and while that’s obviously not enough for a full load-out, it’s still nice that they’re included here to get started with your shooting right out of the box.

3. CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow Package

If the Cobra System K-8025 is a sleek and compact shooter, the CenterPoint Sniper 370 is a massive and lumbering tank. Unlike the K-8025 that’s designed to be used when shooting at shorter distances, the CenterPoint Sniper 370 is all about hitting your targets from particularly long distances.

CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow Package

The Sniper 370 is capable of delivering 370 FPS for its firing velocity, and it also features a draw weight of 185-pounds. The stock and forearm can be fully adjusted to your exact liking so that you can get the perfect grip on the thing, and the use of CNC machined aluminum for the rail allows it to be both lightweight and durable at the same time.

String suppressors allow your shots to be as quiet and vibration-free as possible with a crossbow along these lines, and while this is a feature mostly integrated for hunting, it’s also great to have if you need to eliminate a threat before it hears or sees you.

4. SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package 543

The number four spot of this list goes to the SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package 542, and while the crossbow is technically designed to be used for sport, it’s honestly one of our top picks for a self-defense weapon if you want a full-length crossbow while staying on a budget.

SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package 543

Overall, the SA Sports Fever crossbow has a weight of 4.85-pounds. The string length measures in at 26.5-inches, and the camouflage design will help to keep you nicely hidden and out of sight when using the crossbow in the woods or other heavily vegetated area.

An included scope provides for an accurate look on what you need to shoot, and the three included arrows adds even more value to an already great bang-for-your-buck ratio. The included sling is a bit on the cheap side of things, but aside from that, SA Sports has crafted a true powerhouse for a fraction of what some other similar options cost.

5. Prophecy 80 Pound Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow With Cobra System Limb

Prophecy’s pistol crossbow is rounding this list out, and this is another smaller crossbow along the lines of the Cobra System K-8025. The body is made out of plastic, and although it isn’t the most premium body in the world, it gets the job done and feels like it should be able to withstand a fair amount of use and abuse.

Prophecy 80 Pound Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow With Cobra System Limb

An 80-pound draw weight can be found here, and the arrow travel at a considerably fast speed of 150 feet per second. Prophecy has done everything in its power to make its bow super easy to setup and use, and this attention to detail makes shooting the crossbow very enjoyable and simple.

On top of all this, you also get three free aluminum arrows to help you get started. These aren’t the most premium arrows that money can buy, but it’s great to have some starting ammunition included directly with the bow — especially at this price.

Final Thoughts

If you’d like to start using one of these picks for the best crossbow for self defense before all hell breaks loose, we advise that you read up on your local crossbow self defense laws. Each state has different rules and regulations for this sort of thing, and although we likely won’t need to abide by them when we need to put our survival skills to the test, still be sure to keep those in mind — at least for the time being.

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