Best Pistol Crossbow Reviews 2023 – Latest Unbiased Guide

If you love the idea of shooting with miniguns, then the pistol crossbow is definitely for you. It is a smaller and lighter version of the traditional crossbow.

These mini crossbows have a pistol grip and can be fired using one hand. These small handheld crossbows can be used to fire small bolts with a shorter draw and less power and range.  Expert shooters or hunters always seek the best while choosing their bows for hunting. We have covered the top best pistols crossbows that are:

Mini Pistol crossbows are commonly used in targeting practice rather than bow hunting because they are not as powerful as other crossbow types like recurve and compound crossbows. It is an ideal weapon for hunting small animals and backyard practice.

If you have never used a crossbow, then it would be a good start for your hunting adventures. Although they are small in size and look fun, they are not a toy for kids. They are a lethal weapon with strong piercing power.

We have done an in-depth pistol crossbow review that will help you to choose the best pistol crossbow to meet your requirements.

Best Pistol Crossbow Comparison Table 2022 [Updated List]

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
Ace Martial Arts Pistol Crossbow	Ace Martial Arts Pistol Crossbow	Ace Martial Arts Pistol Crossbow	Draw Weight: 80 lbs Weight: 3.5lbs Brand: Ace	Check On Amazon
Prophecy Pistol Crossbow	Prophecy Pistol Crossbow	Prophecy Pistol Crossbow	Draw Weight: 60lbs Length: 19 inch Velocity: 165fps	Check On Amazon
Bear X Desire Crossbow	Bear X Desire Crossbow	Bear X Desire Crossbow	Draw Weight: 70lbs Weight:2.2 lbs Length:22 inch	Check On Amazon
KingsArchery Pistol	KingsArchery Pistol	KingsArchery Pistol	Draw Weight: 60lbs Velocity: 165 fps Length: 195 inch	Check On Amazon
PSE Archery Viper SS Pistol Crossbow	PSE Archery Viper SS Pistol Crossbow	PSE Archery Viper SS Pistol Crossbow	Draw Weight: 50lbs Velocity: 215 fps Length:19.5 “	Check On Amazon
Snake Eye Tactical Cobra Pistol Crossbow	Snake Eye Tactical Cobra Pistol Crossbow	Snake Eye Tactical Cobra Pistol Crossbow	Draw Weight: 60lbs Velocity: 165 fps Length: 17inch	Check On Amazon
iGlow 80 lbs Mini Hunting Pistol Crossbow	iGlow 80 lbs Mini Hunting Pistol Crossbow	iGlow 80 lbs Mini Hunting Pistol Crossbow	Draw Weight: 60lbs Velocity: 160 fps Length: 20 inch	Check On Amazon

Best Pistol Crossbow Reviews 2022

1- Ace Martial Arts – Best Overall

The Ace Martial Arts Cobra is a fully equipped mini crossbow gun for small hunting games and target practice. This durably constructed fiberglass crossbow has a draw weight of 80 lbs. and can shoot arrows with great power, accuracy, and speed.

This cobra system crossbow comes with a safe self-cocking system, which shortens the reloading time. The package includes an adjustable scope, metal-tipped aluminum arrows, and two replacement strings.

The safety aspect of this pistol crossbow is also very promising. It has a safety lock that engages automatically when it is cocked.

The assembling might be tricky for some hunters as it does not come pre-assembled. Stringing the cable is also difficult for new hunters, and might require some help. It is durable if kept carefully. The package comes with some extra replacements to increase the life of the weapon.

In short, a martial arts cobra is easy to use a powerful pistol. This affordable mini crossbow hunts with great accuracy and speed.

Specifications

2- Prophecy Pistol Crossbow (Cheap Mini Crossbow)

Prophecy Pistol is one of the best crossbow, with a design inspired from Barnett Commando pistol. It fires bolts at blazing speeds with a draw weight of 80 pounds.

 Despite its small size, this crossbow gun packs enough power to take on a small range game and is also ideal for target practice. The lightweight and durable aluminum body of the Prophecy crossbow makes it durable and easy to carry around while hunting.

It has a remarkable self-cocking mechanism and a cobra limb system. The self-cocking mechanism saves time and hassle of cocking the pistol again and again.

The package comes with a precise pre-installed red dot scope, three arrows and carrying bag for the crossbow. It does not come pre-assembled, but the instruction manual is very helpful for assembling the pistol. 

This solid and durable mini crossbow lasts long if taken care of. Regular waxing of the strings makes the pistol easier to use and noticeably increases its life.

In short it fires bolts with great accuracy and speed, it is an amazing hand held crossbow in a small price range for the hunters.

Specifications

3- Bear X Desire (Best Cheap Pistol Crossbow):

Bear archery is famous for making top end hunting bows since ages. Their Bear X Desire is a safe, compact and precise self-cocking Pistol Crossbow. It is a very comfortable hunting weapon, especially for beginners.

This light weight Bear X Desire crossbow has a draw weight of 70 lbs. and can hunt small animals with great speed and power. The commendable accuracy and precision makes it popular amongst hunters.

This top of the line self-cocking pistol crossbow has a forearm grip for ease of use and safety. When the firing mode is on, you can easily cock it by holding the lever and bend it down until it snaps into place.

The package comes with a rear sight, three bolts, strings and an extended butt stock. This extended butt stock provides good leverage and balance to the hunter. The ambidextrous safety lock is also included in the package, which prevents accidental fire. This solid, durably constructed, easy to assemble crossbow has a limited warranty and excellent customer service. 

The Bear X desire pistol crossbow is one of the most comfortable and easy to use weapons for hunters. It is easy to cock with a forearm grip that is easy to use and accurate with quality bolts and has red dot sight.

Specifications

4- KingsArchery  Mini Crossbow :

KingsArchery is in the business of making top rated archery equipment for quite some time. Their new pistol crossbow is one of a kind, with high accuracy and precision. 

This beautifully designed fiberglass pistol crossbow is the lightest and most durable mini crossbow we have ever encountered.. It can be conveniently used by young shooters under the supervision of adults.

It has fiberglass bow limbs and a self-cocking system for speedy shooting. The fast reload time helps in making precise and accurate shots quickly.

The attractive package comes with aluminum and PVC arrow bolts, caps, additional bowstring and extended-range scope. This impressive scope helps in taking precise shots from a distance easily. 

The assembling of a pistol crossbow is a tricky job; as it generally requires two persons and an instruction manual to assemble. However, a remarkable feature of the King’s Archery crossbow is its safety. When cocked, the safety is automatically turned on for better and safe hunting experience.

This durable pistol comes with a limited time warranty and lifetime technical support. It is always good to wax the strings and tightens the screws for prolonging its life

It is a small size pistol crossbow with a self-cocking system that aims to have great shots. This Crossbow has got the adjustable sight to help you with your shoots to be accurate. It is the most powerful crossbow for small level hunting.  

Specifications

5-PSE Archery Viper SS (Hunting Pistol Crossbow)

The Viper SS is one of the most famous crossbows by PSE Archery. It is a fun and easy pistol crossbow for your archery adventures.

This extremely lightweight crossbow with the self-cocking mechanism has a draw weight of 50 lbs. only, making it an effortless bow for hunting. Considering this draw weight, only lighter bolts can be fired at high speed. 

Despite the lower price range, the PSE Viper SS is a very reliable and durable crossbow. It is made up of aluminum stock and fiberglass limbs, making it a lightweight and long-lasting crossbow. It has a track-style rail and built-in rear and front sights for precise and accurate shooting.

The safety features of Viper SS include finger guards, integrated safety lock, and dry- fire inhibitor, providing safe and secure archery experience to the user. 

It is not the quietest pistol crossbow in the market, but the aluminum stock absorbs most of the noise and dampens it remarkably. This metal mini crossbow has a comfortable grip that ensures you will not feel a lot of the vibration. The PSE Archery package includes an adjustable rear and front sight for better aiming and three bolts to start shooting immediately.

In short, it is an affordable, lightweight and easy to use pistol crossbow perfect for fun hunting adventures.

Specifications

6-Snake Eye Tactical Cobra Pistol Crossbow:

This tactical pistol crossbow by Snake Eye is one of the lightest crossbows for beginners and target practice. It has a draw weight of 80 lbs. making it easier to operate and carry around while hunting.

It is an ideal weapon for hunting down small animals from short distances. This powerful and fast reloading pistol will always hunt with great accuracy and precision. The self-cocking system enables the hunter to shoot faster with ease. 

The all-metal body and fiberglass limbs make it sturdy and durable in the longer run. The plastic sights and sight mountings are prone to damage, so it is better to take care of them. It does not come pre-assembled, but the instruction manual is very concise and helps in assembling the crossbow easily.

The package comes with fully adjustable iron sight and metal arrows for users to start shooting right away. The safety lock activates automatically as soon as it is cocked, for the well-being of the shooter. It is a potentially dangerous and deadly weapon, and not recommended for children without the supervision of adults.

It’s a small, compact, and portable small crossbow for small-game practices. This mini crossbow is a remarkable choice for the kids or handheld problem due to its lower draw weight. 

Specifications

7- iGlow 80 lbs Mini Hunting Pistol Crossbow :

 iGlow 80 lbs crossbow is an impressive product by iGlow. Its ideals for the one’s looking for a precise, powerful and cheap pistol grip crossbow. It comes in very handy for small and medium game hunting.The nicely polished mini crossbow has a barrel and stock made up of aluminum and camouflaged/black fiberglass limbs.  

It is extremely small but an accurate and powerful crossbow with a draw weight of 80 lbs. The design features a self-cocking system and built-in arrow holder for ease of use when shooting multiple arrows. It comes with an extra stand at the front for extra support while hunting.

Most pistol crossbows of this range use a cobra system in which you have to pull the cocking lever down and around the weapon’s handle. Luckily, the iGlow uses a far simpler method where you have to pull the lever straight back conveniently. iGlow provides extra safety by locking the string in position automatically, preventing accidental fire while loading the pistol crossbow bolts. 

It comes with an extra pair of replacement strings, 15 arrows and a sight for taking shots with precision. The assembly is very easy with the help of a provided instruction manual.

iGlow is one of the most powerful mini crossbow pistols with a very convenient auto safety cocking mechanism that is constructed with an aluminium barrel. It is a beginners crossbow that hits the target with precision accuracy. Ideal for the beginner hunters

Specifications

Best Mini Crossbows for Hunting – Buying Guide

There are three types of pistol crossbows employing different attributes and characteristics. Each of them has a different purpose and mechanism. 

• Recurve Pistol crossbow:

These pistol crossbows have a delicate curve at the farther tip of the bow to provide more power while shooting. They are made from durable materials and are very easy to aim. They are wider and possess greater draw length than the compound mini crossbows. Such types of automatic crossbow pistols are mostly used for short-range game hunting.

• Repeating Pistol crossbow:

It is one of the most convenient and easy to use pistols. A single step movement is required for bow stringing, bolt reloading, and shooting. It shoots three times faster than the other bow pistol. It is one of the best options for hunting when speed is of the essence.

• Compound Pistol crossbow:

This type of small crossbow revolver uses a levering system to bend the limbs making it very sturdy and stable to use. These energy-efficient pistol crossbows are usually made up of synthetic material and are widely used in target practice and bowhunting.

Things to Consider before Buying Pistol Crossbows

• Draw Weight:

In general, the draw weight of the Pistol crossbow is significantly less than that of the regular crossbow. However a lower draw weight is certainly a convenience while reloading and can come in very handy in case multiple shots need to be taken simultaneously. 

• Pistol Size:

The size of the Pistol crossbow can have a huge impact on the accuracy of the shot. A bigger pistol would generally come with a stock which implies lesser jerk while taking a shot and more power to the bolt. A lighter pistol would be easier to carry around but with less powerful strokes. 

• Self-Cocking Mechanism:

Self-Cocking is a convenience to take a shot as soon as you can draw in a bolt. This can be useful while taking quick shots at fast-moving nearby targets. 

• Accessories

Some vendors provide more accessories than others in their Pistol crossbow packages for example additional bolts and strings. The accessories can come in handy and would save cost and effort in purchasing the accessories separately. 

Uses of a Pistol crossbow

Pistol crossbows are used for a variety of purposes. Such as:

• Game-Hunting:

These compact and easy to carry pistols can be comfortably used for hunting small animals in short range. These are very easy to maneuver in the woods, and can also be used for large game hunting if paired with broadhead arrows.

• Target Practice:

Pistol crossbows are very lightweight and compact, perfect for young hunters. The beginners who have never used a crossbow before can easily use a hand held crossbow for target practice in their backyard.

• Recreational Use:

It can also be used for recreational purposes. You can carry it along on your vacations and enjoy small game hunting.

Legal Status of the Pistol Crossbow

In spite of its resemblance with pistols, it is legal to use it in most of the gun regulated areas. It can also be legally used for home defense. You do not need a state’s permit or a weapon concealer to carry a crossbow gun in the United States.

Technology advancement has remarkably changed the world as we know it. Engineering techniques enable compactness and scalability of utility machines for the end user’s convenience and the Pistol Crossbow is a good example of it. Gone are the days when you have to use a really heavy crossbow for recreation and target practicing.  Mini crossbows make archery fun and memorable for you and your kids. They are much safer and affordable than the conventional crossbows. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How fast is a Pistol Crossbow?

The speed of a pistol crossbow depends on the draw weight and the weight of the bolt. The majority of pistol crossbows fire at a speed of 160 fps. Some designs even go far and fire bolts as fast as 200 fps.

2. What are pistol crossbows used for?

They are used for target practice, small-game hunting, and in some cases bow fishing. It can also be used for recreation like shooting targets in the backyards.

3. Do I Need A Permit To Own, Or Use A Pistol Crossbow?

You do not need a permit to own or operate a pistol crossbow for target practice. But they are still deadly weapons, not toys. For permit questions about the small game, hunting contact your local DNR department

4. How heavy is a Pistol crossbow?

These powerful mini crossbows are made up of lightweight fiberglass or plastic. This makes them convenient to use and carry around. The weight ranges from 4-8 lbs., depending upon the design.

5. How Far Will a Mini Pistol Crossbow shoot?

It can shoot as far as 500 yards if accuracy is not considered. For accurate and precise shooting, a target should be in the range of 20 to 80 yards.

6. Is it safe to allow a 12-year-old to own a pistol crossbow?

 It is a small crossbow but a powerful weapon. It is not safe for a child to have unsupervised access to a pistol crossbow.

7. How reliable is a pistol crossbow for small game hunting?

It is fairly effective for small game hunting like rabbits and squirrels. You will want to keep your shooting range to 20 yards and less for accuracy. If you want to learn more about bowhunting( including mini crossbow hunting) you can go for resources like  Horizontal Bowhunter Magazine and North American Crossbow Federation. It will help you in detail analysis of bowhunting trends and regulations to follow up for the professional hunters.

8. Do I Need To Wax My Pistol Crossbow Bow String?

Yes, you need to wax the string regularly to prevent it from being damaged and prolong its use.

Final Verdict:

We provided a detailed analysis of the best pistol crossbow available in the market. We have discussed their compactness, attractive features, accessories and safety mechanism very comprehensively so that you can choose a perfect weapon without any trouble.  If you want a small crossbow for self defence with a decent range and power, we would definitely recommend the Prophecy 80 lbs. pistol crossbow. It has ample strength to penetrate the target with accuracy.

If you are not comfortable with a cobra self cocking crossbow, then the powerful iGlow would be a very good and cost-effective pistol crossbow for you.  It has attractive features and accessories, making it a complete package.

The overall best pistol crossbow according to us is the KingsArchery. It is an ideal option for small game hunting with great accuracy and precision. It includes an extended range scope and other useful accessories making it the best value pistol crossbow in the list.

Watson R

Master of Modern Bowhunting, Watson knows archery equipment forward and backward. An accomplished bowhunter in his own right, his successes in the field demonstrates to novices that bowhunting isn’t something to be kept behind closed doors. Making it more accessible to beginners and advanced bowhunters alike; Watson has become an expert in the construction and use of longbows, compound bows, crossbows, archery and bowhunting gear; he now shares his knowledge openly.