Safety Comes First
When choosing which crossbow to purchase one would typically take into consideration the speed, weight, draw weight, accuracy and of course the price. However, when purchasing anything, especially a weapon you need to factor in safety and what safety mechanisms have been considered in the design.
Safety Tips & Handling
Weather you’re at work or enjoying an outside activity you want to be safe and return home to your family in the same physical condition as when you left. With that being said Safety should be your number 1 focus in everything you do. Here we focus on Crossbow safety.
Crossbow Safety Tips
1. Make sure your string and limbs are in good shape
2. Make sure all assembly bolts are tight as these will loosen up over time.
3. Never aim your crossbow at a person, loaded or unloaded.
4. Never dry-fire your crossbow as this can damage your limbs and cause injury to yourself.
5. Do not use a cocking device to uncock your bow, could slip and cause a dry fire.
6. Cock your crossbow before getting into your tree stand.
7. Load your arrow (bolt) after you are in your tree stand.
8. Identify your game before aiming, if you can’t see it’s eyes you should not be aiming your crossbow.
9. Make sure your arrow is seated all the way back before shooting. Check this every time you’re going to shoot.
10. Make sure the rail, limbs, and wheels are free of obstructions.
11. When cocking your bow make sure to grab the string equally on both side to avoid cocking unevenly.
12. Check arrows and nocks for stress, cracks, splintering, and wear. If you see any of these toss the arrow.
13. Always check your safe to make sure it’s on, even if you have an automatic locking mechanism.
14. Only shoot arrows that are designed for your crossbow.
15. Do not shoot your crossbow with someone standing beside you, as a string break causes things to fly sideways.
16. Make sure tree branches are cleared and will not be hit by your crossbow limbs when shooting.
17. Always use a safety harness when in your tree stand.
Crossbow Handling Tips
1. Keep your finger below the string guide rail (travel corridor) when cocked, as this can cause serious damage.
2. Do not carrier your bow by the rail when cocked. Always keep your hands out of the string’s travel path.
3. Do not lay your crossbow on the ground or lean it against a tree when loaded.
4. Do not carrier or hold your crossbow by the trigger mechanism, this can cause accidental fires.
5. Hoist and lower your crossbow cocked but unloaded and with the front-end facing the ground.
6. Make sure your extra arrows are seated correctly and tight in your quiver.
7. Do not carry a cocked crossbow with an arrow in it while you are walking, unless still hunting and have full control of where the bow is being pointed. Note, arrows will fly over 100 yards.
Safety Mechanisms Designed In – TenPoint Stealth SS
When I purchased a Crossbow 3 years ago I spent many hours researching and test shooting. What I found at that time was the TenPoint Stealth SS was the best on the market when it came to; safety, quality, reliability, speed, handling, accuracy, and cost. Here are the safety design aspects for this Crossbow.
Safety Attributes Of The TenPoint Stealth SS
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1. Patented DFI (dry fire inhibitor), Protects against accidental dry fires.
2. Ambidextrous automatic safety, Places the safety on for you, but always double check it.
3. Dual-purpose safety wings, protects your fingers from being placed in the path of the string.
4. ACUdraw for ease of cocking, saves on the fingers and back.
5. 3.5 lb PowerTouch trigger, avoids you from firing before you’re ready.
Crossbow Safety Mechanisms & The Do’s & Don’ts
Recommendation
Do not try to save a few dollars at the expense of Safety and Quality. Crossbows last a long time if taken care of, so be stay safe and buy the best, you will never regret it.