The demand for crossbows is on the rise as new hunters try to gain a footing in the hunting game. But as with all other hobbies, the terms used by seasoned hunters may prove a bit confusing for someone who is just getting started.
If this is you, worry not, as this post will help you learn everything you need to know about archery, including the many components of a crossbow. By the end of this guide, you should have a good idea of what each part is and the role it plays.
The Bow
As you might have guessed, you can’t have a crossbow without the arc. It’s the part that serves as the power station of your quiver. Without it, you’d have nothing to shoot the arrow.
The arc can be configured in two main ways:
- The Recurve: In this arrangement, you’re going to have the string, two limbs, and a riser in your quiver.
- The Compound Style: Here, you’ll have a riser, two limbs, and two wheels. Please note that these wheels will be mounted at the tail end of each limb. Seasoned hunters call it the cams, string, and two cables arrangement.
In your quiver, the arc will be mounted horizontally. Depending on the arrangement chosen, it can either be mounted at the back of the rail, in the middle of the barrel, or at the front of the tail. Its draw weight refers to the amount of force that it will take to compress its limbs.
The draw weight often indicates the type of speed you can expect from each recurve. Put simply, the heavier it is, the faster you’ll propel your arrow. However, you should note that this isn’t the only factor that affects speed.
Another crucial factor that can significantly impact speed is known as the power stroke. This refers to the distance that your string will travel from the resting point to the point where it becomes cocked.
Lastly, we have the cams on the quiver. Its shape is of significance when considering the speed. In this regard, you can find one that is oblong, like an egg or one that is entirely round. Changing its shape will alter the draw force.
The change in the draw force is what makes the recurve less efficient than the compound arrangement. As seen above, many factors determine the design of a quiver. Manufacturers will typically try to make one that’s safe while pushing its performance limits.
The Trigger and Safety
Another component you need to learn about is the trigger. This is the part that informs the recurve when it’s time to fire an arrow. Although this design comes in varied designs, they all share one similarity – their release string.
You may encounter some strings that have no creep with their break, while others will include a lot of travel. At this point, you should note that a crossbow trigger is different from a gun trigger. In the latter, the trigger only needs to hold the firing pin. In a quiver, the trigger will need to hold a lot more weight.
In some cases, the trigger may need to hold as much as 275 pounds.
The mechanism in an archery recurve comes in two varied designs:
- In the first design, you’ll find it located beneath the latch used to hold the recurve string back when held in a cocked position.
- The second design is what we call the “bullpup” design. In this design, the string latch sits behind the trigger mechanism and is connected internally to it.
The safety and trigger mechanisms work hand in hand. As is the case with guns, the safety feature ensures you don’t pull the trigger before you’re ready to shoot. Every recurve you come across in your archery journey will have a safety mechanism.
The Foot Stirrup
This refers to the part that looks like a hoop and which sits at the front part of your recurve. Its primary role is to help you position your foot properly, allowing you to exert pressure on it as you cock the recurve.
Its other role is to safeguard the bow when you have an arrow already loaded.
The Riser
The riser refers to the area of your recurve where the limb mounts. It can be made from machined aluminum, magnesium, or plain aluminum. Different configurations are available today, with some featuring a simple design and others having a more complex one.
A riser has one purpose: to hold the limb of your recurve at a given angle.
The Rail, Track, or Barrel
The barrel connects the arc to the stock in your recurve. This is a piece that can be made from two kinds of materials: plastic or aluminum. The latter is preferred because it’s light and strong and doesn’t curve when strained.
Regardless of the material used, you’ll notice a groove in its center. The role of this groove is to assist in guiding the arrows to ride through without any interference.
The Stock
It ties the barrel, sight bridge, and trigger mechanism together. The stock also provides you with a safe zone to hold your recurve away from potential danger points. You can use it to steady your recurve against your shoulder while also acting as a resting point for your cheek.
Sight Bridge
This is where you’ll mount your scope. It’s among the most essential features in a recurve and the most overlooked. You need the sight bridge to mount your scope. The bridge helps provide a solid base, allowing you to hunt with excellent accuracy.
Arrow Retainers
As its name suggests, the role of an arrow retainer is to hold the arrow in place. With it, you should be able to point the bow in any direction without worrying that it will leave its seating position.
Sights
You have three options when it comes to mounting a sight: a traditional scope style with magnification, a red dot style, and a pin and peep style. When coupled with a scope, it will enable you to choose your aiming point and the type of magnification you want to use.
The Quiver
It helps hold your arrows. Quivers come in varied styles, with some mounting on top of the arc and others below it. There are even others that are mounted parallel to your bow. A typical quiver will hold three to four arrows. You can use it to transport the arrows to the hunting grounds.
The components mentioned above pretty much sum up everything you need to know about a recurve. If you have any questions or are experiencing trouble choosing your archery accessories, please reach out to the team at opticsforce.com.