Crossbow for protection/survival ?

Ok, fancy something cheap like an 'armex jaguar recurve 175lb'

I'm in uk so can't have a firearm, well I could, if I got the licence but tbh I can't afford one at £500

So sticking with crossbows, I'm assuming a recurve crossbow would be more reliable and rugged than a compound crossbow, and at 175lb it would have no problem stopping an intruder at close range and killing medium sized mammals like fox and small deer at shortish/medium range ?

Also amo wouldn't run out as long as I could retrieve my bolts, would have say 20 bolts anyhow and some of those bladed tips for hunting larger prey for food

What do you think to a cheap bow like this ?

Well I would suggest trying variations out and picking something that feels good to you.

Then practice and get very good with it.

Its more about the persons skill with a weapon than what weapon you pick.

reply to post by stinka

Recurves in my opinion are easier on maintenance, faster at launching them in repetition, and definitely would be my second choice,and i am going to get one soon,BUT i was at my brothers house and he has a crossbow that sent that bolt at 450 feet per second. Talk about salivating! I so want one. At 900 us dollars is it worth 2 dollars per each foot per second.
My only drawback [no pun intended] i would see is that the recurve would be a larger,more cumbersome item to carry. I did find some recurve survival bows that break down at set up lickety split!
Good luck !

Have you thought of a slingshot? A good hunting one can shoot arrows, ball bearings, lead fishing sinkers or just rocks with enough velocity to kill. cross bows are unwildy with the 2 bow arms sticking out and slow to load. Take a look at this site. www.chiefaj.com...

Crossbow's will be awesome. Just like in Far Cry 3.

Plus they are cheap too

It looks like it would work for the UK. Get several extra strings and wax for them. Broadheads won't last a long time, but field tips will. You might try something like judo tips or bludgeon tips for small game. Bolts will eventually wear out as well. For small game try a Bomarang(Cold Steel makes a hunting model), it is fairly easy to get within boomarang distance of rabbits and such in the UK.

Crossbows are illegal in the UK......Spud guns and our ingenuity is all we have left i'm afraid...

reply to post by stinka


I have a Horton 200lb compound crossbow. Excellent source of defence. Only drawback is the time it takes to re-load. I'll even give you the upper hand saying you have a crank to assist w/ the draw. Your still looking at 1 shot per couple minute to 3 minutes pending how fast you are. Pull that crossbow back yourself everytime and your lower back will be screaming more than the intruders.

Go~ Compound bow~ Recurve Bow (more shots in a shorter time, eazier on the body pending poundage) Same in regards to arrows your spot on with the bladed arrow tips.

Note: Recurve bow will take more practice as there is no Draw Let-off. I would go compound in all retrospect.

Also note.... I LOVE MY CROSSBOW

A recurve is a good choice. Lighter and you have less things to go wrong with it. In the field you can change the string if need be where with a compound your day is over if the string breaks. Even a bow with a 300 fps will take down any game animal. To me the thrill of the hunt is stalking and getting as close as possible.

This place is reasonable :

www.bladesandbows.co.uk...

Would you have the aluminium or carbon bolts ?

crossbows are fun and deadly accurate once you get them zeroed in. In the UK its a good option because its legal (i think). In the USA its a good option because its silent.

I have one and can paint a smilly face on a target from 50 yards with arrows