[commygun]

The other night my wife's cousin gave me a Jenning's Devastator
crossbow. It's in good shape but the string is beginning to fray
and I guess he just didn't want to deal with replacing it. So,
many questions. Does anyone know of online sources for
manuals, bolts, and strings. Before I take this thing apart are
there any nasty surprises I should be aware of? It says
on the bow I must use Jenning's nocks "to avoid serious injury
or damage". Why? How do crossbow bolts and nocks vary?
Any info and insights would be much appreciated.

[Ledbetter]

I have a small crossbow. The bow is under treemendous pressure and they're not kidding when they talk about serious injury. Get info from the manufacturer before you tinker.

[winstonsmith]

What are the age limits on crossbows?

please don't be 18 please dont be 18

-jack

[Sir Galahad]

Winston, so far as I know, there is no age requirement for crossbows. But, you live in cali, so who knows how the laws have changed since I was last there. However, think on a good recurve or a good compound. But if you want a crossbow, get the best: The Buckmaster made by Excalibur for Bear Archery and sold by Cabela's. That thing is a real blaster! Stay away from the Hortons and Barnetts. Back in my teens, I had a Horton Safari Magnum, really the only Horton crossbow that was worth a darn. It had a steel prod! You should have seen what that thing could do! I had FUN with that thing! Hey, get into archery. That's the best advice you're going to get and it's free. :D You'll have fun and you'll be learning to master one of man's oldest weapons. Yep, the world's first high-cap (with the right quiver) "assault weapon".:evil: And most parents don't totally freak the frick out about it. 'Corse, back in the day, they taught archery in high school and we brought our own race bows from home to shoot with. I bet now some hand-wringing wuss would cry and wet his small clothes if they taught archery, so they probably replaced it with reiki or yoga or some other crap.

Best compound crossbows:
1.) Buckmaster
2.) TenPoint

Best non-compound crossbows:
1.) Excalibur Vixen, Exocet, or Exomag

That's it as far as I'm concerned.

The reason Jennings has different nocks is because they wanted to sell their own bolts. And, yes, not using that nock will blow up the bow and probably take out an eye along with it. Best advice? See if you can send it to Jennings and have THEM square it away. Otherwise, open your quiver, dump out the bolts, lift the crossbow, and slide a new Excalibur under it. Throw Jennings in the next yard sale pile along with the bolts. Slide new bolts for Excalibur into quiver. Smile.


Winston, Martin Archery makes some great recurves. The Hunter is an awesome bow and the Dreamcatcher is even better. Or if a compound is up your alley, Martin makes some great ones. But for crossbows, Excalibur Vixen or Exocet (Exomag if you're really after blistering the bales) or the Buckmaster. Feel free to email me if you want to know more.