Best Pistol Crossbows in 2020 [Tried, Tested & Reviewed]

Enjoy Our Reviews of Pistol Crossbows

Pricing of these Pistol Crossbows Range Between $45-$70

Pistol crossbows, also called mini crossbows, vary significantly in features and performance. While some of them are considered as mere toys or showpieces, there are serious versions that could be of great service to a recreational hunter. Whether you’re looking to hunt for small game, try your hand at crossbow fishing, or have good equipment for target practice, these are the best pistol crossbows your money can buy:

PSE Viper SS Handheld Crossbow Review

The Viper SS Handheld Crossbow by PSE Archery is incredibly light, weighing in at only 1.6 pounds. Although its draw weight of 50 pounds is relatively low compared to others in its price range, it offers a remarkable maximum velocity of 215 FPS. Every purchase of this miniature crossbow comes with three of PSE’s famed Frenzy bolts, which are both inexpensive and easy to find when you’re ready to buy more.

This pistol crossbow features a track-style rail, which is ideal for precision shooting. Plus, its open sight makes it easy to sight in, although many of its more serious users prefer to replace the stock sights with red dot sights or even holographic sights. Nevertheless, the stock sights perform well enough for recreational use.

PSE Archery designed the Viper SS to be incredibly safe, even for novice archers. For one, the cocking mechanism has its own safety lock, which serves as a secondary safety for the mini crossbow. Plus, it has an auto-safety feature as well as a trigger that prevents dry fire. To keep your hands away from injury, it also has a cleverly designed finger guard. 

Pros:

• Lightweight at 1.6 pounds
• Remarkable maximum velocity of 215 FPS
• Comes with 3 Frenzy bolts
• Features a precise track-style rail
• Easy to use open sight
• Easily replaceable sights
• Safety lock for cocking mechanism
• Auto-safety feature
• Anti-dry fire trigger
• Cleverly designed finger guard

Cons:

• Relatively low draw weight of 50 pounds

SAS Prophecy 80 Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow Review

The Prophecy 80 by Southland Archery Supply (SAS) weighs less than 2 pounds, which is pretty light given its robust stock. That is thanks to the lightweight construction made mostly of aluminum. When strung, it is about 19 inches long and 17 inches wide, so it’s fairly easy to carry. It has an 80-pound draw weight but is a break action, self-cocking miniature crossbow, so it doesn’t really take much effort to use it. That also makes it faster for you to shoot consecutive shots. Plus, it has a 6.8-inch power stroke and allows for a maximum velocity of 165 FPS. Although that speed is average compared to others within the same price range, the Prophecy is able to perform over an impressive distance. 

This pistol crossbow is equipped with a Cobra System limb and a stock that offers a solid wood feel as well as maximal stability. You can purchase the SAS Pistol Crossbow Grip separately, should you need it to be even more stable. As for precision, the stock sights are composed of a bead foresight and an adjustable rear sight. Should you outgrow that combo, the Prophecy 80 allows for easy modding. It comes with 3 aluminum bolts, 2 end caps, and a string.

Pros:

• Lightweight at 2 pounds
• Aluminum construction
• Easy to carry
• 80-pound draw weight
• Self-cocking
• 6.8-inch power stroke
• 165 FPS maximum velocity
• Equipped with Cobra Limb system
• Solid and stable stock
• Bead foresight + adjustable rear sight
• Easy to modify
• Comes with 3 aluminum bolts

Cons:

• Requires extreme care when stringing
• Minimal safety features

SAS 80-pound Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow Review

The 80-pound Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow by Southland Archery Supply (SAS) weighs approximately 2 pounds and is about 16 inches long and 12 inches wide. It is made mostly of durable plastic and has an impressive fiberglass prod. It is a break-action, self-cocking miniature crossbow, which not only allows you to shoot multiple times over a very short period but also do so more accurately. That’s one of the main benefits of using a pistol crossbow in general, although you’ll find that it’s even more so using this SAS unit.

Further allowing you to maintain your shot accuracy is the sights system, which includes a bead foresight and an adjustable rear sight. It maintains practically perfect accuracy within 10 yards but is still incredibly effective within 20-30 yards. Nevertheless, it is able to send bolts at distances of over 100 yards. Should you decide to upgrade, it should take on anything compatible with a ⅜ dovetail mount. 

Apart from the mini crossbow itself, this package includes 2 strings, 2 endcaps, and 27 bolts. The bolts are generally regarded as flimsy, but they’re good enough to use for target practice. For real outdoor situations, it’s still best to purchase high-quality bolts separately.

Pros:

• Lightweight at 2 pounds
• Durable plastic + fiberglass prod
• Self-cocking
• Bead foresight + adjustable rear sight
• Near perfect accuracy within 10 yards
• Incredibly effective within 20-30 yards
• 100-yard range
• Easy modifications
• Includes 2 strings + 2 endcaps
• Includes 27 bolts for practice

Cons:

• Included bolts are rather flimsy

Armory Replicas 80-pound Self-Cocking Hunting Pistol Crossbow Review

Given Armory Replicas’ reputation for having the most extensive selection of high-quality imitations of medieval armors, swords, and other weapons, it’s easy to think of their self-cocking pistol crossbow as a toy or a prop. But, once you feel the robust construction as well as its remarkable power, there’s really no other way to see it than an excellent weapon.

The entire miniature crossbow is approximately 20 inches long and 16.5 inches wide, and weighs about 2 pounds. The frame and the cocking lever are solidly built using a combination of nylon resin and aluminum while the bow is made of fiberglass. It has a draw weight of 80 pounds and a power stroke of 6.8 inches. All that allows it to send bolts speeding at up to 160 FPS. And, because it’s self-cocking, you can keep shooting bolts with little fuss.

For maximum safety, this mini crossbow automatically sets the safety when you cock the string. This feature helps you avoid accidentally firing when you’re reloading. It also keeps you from dry firing, which could cause damage to your bow. With every purchase of this Armory Replicas Self-Cocking Hunting Pistol Crossbow, you get a crossbow string, a fiberglass prod, and three 6.5-inch aluminum darts.

Pros:

• Lightweight at 2 pounds
• Nylon resin and aluminum construction
• Fiberglass bow
• 80-pound draw weight
• 6.8-inch power stroke
• 160 FPS maximum velocity
• Self-cocking
• Automatic safety features
• Includes 1 string + 1 prod
• Includes three 6.5-inch aluminum darts

Cons:

• Included darts are rather flimsy 
• Serious archers should upgrade sights

Ace Martial Arts Supply Cobra System Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow Review

The Cobra System Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow from Ace Martial Arts Supply weighs approximately 2.5 pounds, which is an acceptable weight given its solid construction. It is composed of a Cobra System limb, which is made of tough plastic and is accompanied by a bow that’s made of compressed molded fiberglass. In this model, the front sight is built-in and not adjustable, but the rear sight allows for plenty of play. Should you feel the need for an upgrade, you can easily take off the rear sights and replace it with your preferred scope.

This miniature pistol has an 80-pound draw weight and fires arrows at speeds of up to 165 FPS. It’s an incredibly fun piece to use for target practice. But, it also has enough power to use when hunting small game, especially at closer distances. Plus, its self-cocking mechanism makes easy work of reloading, allowing you to get more shots in across a short period of time. The cocking mechanism was also designed with safety as a priority. Not only is it easy to cock, but doing so also engages the safety automatically. When you purchase this pistol crossbow, you also get three aluminum arrows.

Pros:

• Relatively heavy at approximately 2.5 pounds
• Solid construction
• Cobra System limb
• Tough plastic frame
• Compressed molded fiberglass bow
• Adjustable rear sights
• Easy to upgrade 
• 80-pound draw weight
• 165 FPS maximum velocity
• Self-cocking
• Automatic safety 
• Includes 3 aluminum arrows

Cons:

• Serious archers should upgrade sights

These pistol crossbows are considered the best in the market today because of their power, performance, and reliability. Not only do these top five choices give you the best bang for your buck but also a dependable piece that will help you make the most of your precious time outdoors.