Shoot stuff?  SURE!

Do you want to get your hands on the best pistol crossbow on the market? If you’re anything like me, there’s still that little, giddy kid inside of you that sets off an explosion of excitement when you get to shoot stuff.  It’s almost like it’s born in us from birth.  Since the time our parents deemed us old enough and responsible enough, we finally got the opportunity to trade in our plastic noisemaker guns and begin to build our own small munitions stockpile.  We all remember Ralphie in the The Christmas Story, being warned by the fake Santa – “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”

Yep, we heard it plenty of times but we soldiered on.  We had siege warfare to conduct.  And when the fateful day came that we got that special projectile device we had been dreaming of, it was time to set up targets made up of some empty soda cans or old cardboard boxes and show them who’s boss.

That same kid is still with me today.  So off I set on my hunt to find something to have fun with, shooting some target practice in the backyard, something that wouldn’t ricochet and break a window, all the while not costing an arm and a leg of my hard earned money (ie. the shooting range these days) to entertain me for an hour or so.

The Hunt is On

During my treasure hunt, I stumbled across a crossbow pistol and it quickly piqued my interest.  I searched for some pistol crossbow reviews but there wasn’t much out there with regards to information except some older buried forums slamming them for not being powerful enough for animals. I wasn’t trying to kill animals; I’m just looking for some good ol’ fashion plinking to occupy some time.  However, little to my amazement, times have changed a bit since the forums had been posting.  There are several videos and examples showing these aren’t a toy in the least.

This guy shows us that it goes through several soda cans and a pineapple among other stuff.  That’s a decent punch from such a compact device.

OR you can read our Review First

I’m going to repeat that to make sure everybody caught it:

Crossbow Pistols are NOT toys.  Adult supervision is highly recommended.

Best crossbow pistol Reviews for 2021

After digging through the dirt, I finally discovered a couple of them that really were the best mini crossbows overall.  If you are looking to kill a large animal or something for home defense, these are probably not going to be your first weapon of choice.  I would venture to guess they may be able to take out small varmint though I haven’t personally tried it yet. If however, you are looking for something to entertain you and satisfy the kid inside, here is what we think of as one of the best crossbow pistols to help you let the fun begin.

1. Last Punch Snake Eye Tactical

This self-cocking model will take all the strain from cocking your arrows over and over again, and will give you a tactical advantage whenever you are out in the field. Besides the fact that it offers this superior benefit that will put you on top of the game, this model also comes with a pack of 15 metal arrows that makes it ready to shoot.

You will appreciate how easy it is to load the pistol crossbow, and how comfortable it will fit in your hand. The entire body is made from metal so that you can expect excellent durability and performance. Consequently, you will make a sound investment if you decide to pick this one over others.

The high-tech prod made from fiberglass adds durability and flexibility while providing excellent string alignment so that extraordinary precision is offered. Another thing worth mentioning is that this model comes with an automatic safety feature that will engage when you cock the crossbow.

Featuring superior bolt retaining capabilities, the Last Punch Snake Eye Tactical is the kind of pistol crossbow you will want if you are interested in quality and performance above everything else.

2. Velocity Recurve Pistol

For a pistol crossbow with a draw weight of 80 pounds, the Velocity Recurve Pistol does a great job of reaching a maximum speed of 160 fps. Don’t be surprised to discover how lightweight the model is. It weighs less than 2 pounds, and overall, it is very comfortable to use, something that shooters on the lookout for such a product surely want in their top pick.

There are a few things that must be said about this particular model. For starters, it comes with the self-cocking feature that also doubles as a safety system. When you cock your crossbow, the string alignment will not allow the accidental release of the bolt, therefore preventing injuries.

The reason why this model is so lightweight is its aluminum construction. Mixing durability with flexibility, it also comes with a fiberglass prod. Overall, you will be pleased with how this pistol crossbow feels in your hand and how fast it is.

Another thing that should be mentioned is that the track style is employed to ensure extra control and more accuracy. We must say that no bolts are included with your purchase, so you will have to buy them separately.

3. Prophecy 80 Pound Self-Cocking

With a draw weight of 80 pounds, this Prophecy model will make your bolts travel at speeds of up to 150 fps. Based on a similar concept known as the Barnett Commando Pistol, this model is an improvement over previous self-cocking versions and offers more satisfaction for the shooter. While it is easy to set up and use, you should not mistake it for a toy, as it is anything but.

The aluminum stock provides the model with both durability and a lightweight mass that allows you to hold it in your hand with ease. It must be added that the pistol comes with an adjustable rear sight, as well as a bead foresight.

Users like the Cobra limbs the pistol comes equipped with, as well. Although the body is made from aluminum, it has a wood feel to it that many will appreciate. Along with your purchase, you will also get a string and two end caps.

You will not have to put too much effort into cocking the pistol as it is self-cocking, but that’s not the only advantage we should talk about. You will be able to shoot many bolts over a short time, and you will have a fun time doing so.

4. KingsArchery Crossbow Pistol

Self-cocking crossbows have their fair share of supporters and admirers for straightforward reasons. They require almost no effort to cock, and they are fast to shoot at decent speeds. If you are after something like this, the KingsArchery Crossbow Pistol might catch your eye, and not only because of its classic looks, but also because of the various features and extras provided.

Built from fiberglass, it is a lightweight model that even a teenage shooter might try, under adult supervision, of course. The model is sold by the manufacturer as part of a package with 63 aluminum and PVC bolts, so you can start practicing right away.

Be aware of the fact that you can’t treat this as a toy. While the self-cocking mechanism ensures that you don’t have to engage in strenuous activity to cock the pistol, there is still some force needed, so you should not let a child try to handle it.

Because of its fast reload times, you can shoot arrow after arrow, with high accuracy. It serves that the model is equipped with adjustable sights that will provide you with the possibility to modify your aim for maximum precision.

5. PSE Viper SS

At 1.6 pounds, the PSE Viper SS is lightweight, compared to many other similar models on the market. However, it must be noted that its draw weight is less than what you can see in the respective pistol crossbows, as well. For a draw weight of only 50 pounds, however, this model will make your arrows fly fast, as the maximum velocity is 215 fps.

It is important to mention that the model comes with a cocking mechanism that acts as a second safety feature. The primary one is the safety lock installed on this model. Due to the attention paid to the user’s security, this manufacturer deserves extra praise.

Besides the automatic safety feature that engages the moment you cock the pistol, this model comes with an anti-dry fire trigger. The latter makes sure that you don’t end up releasing the bolt by accident, and therefore there is no reason to re-cock the gun.

The attention to safety paid by this manufacturer doesn’t stop here. There is a finger guard in place for hand safety. Also, the model comes with a track style rail that enhances the precision of your shots.

What is a crossbow pistol or mini crossbow?

It’s pretty straightforward to figure out what a crossbow pistol is.  Google defines a crossbow to be “a medieval bow of a kind that is fixed across a wooden support and has a groove for the bolt and a mechanism for drawing and releasing the string.”  The pistol part comes into play because:

• There is no stock built onto the main frame of the device
• The weapon is typically lighter than a full crossbow

There are 2 designs: the good old fashion draw pulley where you have to muscle back the string in order to cock the device (some have a foot stirrup to get some leverage) and the “self-cocking” version.

What is self-cocking?

When I first heard the term self-cocking, I actually thought it meant I didn’t have to do anything.  I could just pull the trigger and fire again – AWESOME!  Think again.  Self-cocking actually refers to a lever on the back of the frame that allows you to push down and draw the string back into position.  This leverages your weight balance and allows for easier cocking of the bow to load up with your favorite bolt of choice.

Bolts?

Arrows, darts, bolts.  People will throw the technicality card on you for not referring to them correctly as bolts, but they’re all the same thing.  You’ll find there are a couple of different types and it’s a matter of preference on the type you will like.  Aluminum bolts will fire with more impact to the target.  Plastic darts will typically fly a bit further (due to weight) though have a bit less hit at impact.  Bolts are 6.5 inches in length and self-explanatory.  You are going to want to pick up a couple extra with your purchase.

To my knowledge, there are unfortunately not any special tips such as broadheads and the likes.  That would be icing on the cake to have the cool razor type points included to make this look like a force to be reckoned with, but alas we can’t have it all.  The types I’ve found are all steel points but definitely do the job.

Draw Weight

You will typically find either a 50 or 80-pound draw.  This number is the amount of weight you are pulling when cocking the device.  This is where the advantage goes to the self-cocking units as they give you the leverage to pull the string.  For those non-self-cocking units, most can be manually cocked.  However, if you need some extra help, a rope cocker can be used to assist in cocking the device.

String

The string catapults the bolts toward your target.  With proper care before first use and over time using string wax will keep your string in good shape, prevent fraying, and keep shooting smooth.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our quest to finding the best pistol crossbow available these days.