Crossbows?

[KriegHund]

I just got an 80 pound pull crossbow from CTD. Works pretty decently.

Anywho, while i got the thing for fun, i figured it might be a....semi-effective HD weapon.

It wont go all the way through 2 layers of drywall, but itll penetrate clothes and flesh pretty good. I figure ittl wound someone, so that i could move in witha melee weapon more effectivly, or at least deter them.

Better than an airgun, at any rate. Cept you only get one shot. I wouldnt rely on it, but if you dont have a gun it can at least help, just carry a bat or something as backup.

Ideas? (Besides "get a gun")

 

[clt46910]

I used a crossbow too hunt with in the past. They work well for that. As far as Self Defense, I would say only from an hidden or ambush site you can retreat from in a hurry. Could be used from a distance like across a room or down a hallway from behind concealment or cover to give you time to retreat. Would be better then nothing.

They can be deadly and some can be reloaded kind of fast. Would depend on what I was facing, but if it was all I had I would use it. But I think only to delay someone so that I could retreat. It is a bleeding instrument so it would take time for someone to expire. Of course you might get lucky and hit the spine.

 

[clt46910]

BTW...get a gun...

Why can't I just keep quiet.....:banghead:


BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE AS MUCH FUN....

 

[Zeke/PA]

A cross bow uses an arrow,which is an arrow ,which is an arrow, which is an arrow.
Not a good choice at all for a home defense weapon
Better choice?
A shotgun PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Respectfully, Zeke

 

[losangeles]

Kinda cool for target practice. But I concur on the shotgun for HD!

 

[KriegHund]

Right, because that helps us who cant get a firearm so much.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but seriously;if i could get a gun (and keep it loaded) i would.

*edit*

Not trying to be an arse. Just tis sooth.

 

[clt46910]

Crossbow shoots a bolt. A bow shoots an arrow.

There I go again....:banghead:

But they are both bleeding instruments so normally take time to kill.

 

[Omni04]

obviously, reloading isn't an option- and if it is, you probably wouldn't be justified to shoot a second bolt. Could you keep the crossbow loaded/cocked? Or would keeping it in that state eventually wear out the string? I am not very familiar with crossbows i am just wondering if it is something you would have to load in a hurry or can you just keep it loaded.

 

[Atticus]

They worked pretty well as battle weapons prior to the development of firearms. If that's all you got...it's certainly better than many other things.
As they say in knife fighting, 'the winner dies last'.

Leaving a bow cocked is harder on the limbs than the string...but not good for either. That being said, I inadvertantly left mine cocked all year and then killed a deer with it.

If you have to use it....use it well. Aim low - center of mass.

 

[ssr]

Well, I sure wouldn't want to get shot with a crossbow bolt, especially in the neck, chest, or abdominal aorta. But, I wouldn't want a crossbow to be my only means of self defense either. I would probably prefer a bow to a crossbow, simply for speed.

Edit: Oh yeah, and get a shotgun.

 

[Soap]

I'd rather deliver a kukri to a BG's collarbone/arm/wrist/leg etc. I don't know how practical it would be to keep a crossbow cocked with a bolt in place for months. And regardless, you might not have time to wait for them to bleed out. After all, it is an arrow like Zeke said.

 

[KriegHund]

Takes about 2 seconds to co kit and place a bolt in. i just keep the bolt right next to it.

As for the kukhiri- thats the second option. Fire bolt, and pray you hit, then use whatever melee weapon you choose.

 

[f4t9r]

It will work
still be better to have a gun but if not go with the crossbow

 

[Spiggy]

I hope you didnt pay all too much, I got a 50lb crossbow for $10 off ebay, I used it a while back to stalk and hunt rabbits... Lots of fun, bitch to cock though.

but yea, get a gun!

 

[KriegHund]

Got an 80 pound with 5 bolts for 25$ off CTD.

 

[losangeles]

I've been checking 'em out online, and they're amazingly affordable. Might just want to try one out for kicks.

 

[KriegHund]

Just be EXTREMELY careful when stringing the "Bow" part. It cracks easily if unequal pressure is applied to eathier side. Have another person help you out.

 

[Manedwolf]

1

 

[Manedwolf]

Right, because that helps us who cant get a firearm so much.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but seriously;if i could get a gun (and keep it loaded) i would.

*edit*

Not trying to be an arse. Just tis sooth.

If you're looking for something that's "not a gun" due to laws or restrictions, but want something a little more effective for HD, personally, I'd suggest two things. One, a good semiauto paintpall pistol with a 10rd inline mag, of the $150+ kind that can fire at nearly 400fps if cranked up...

...and secondly, a few tubes of Pepperballs. These are .68 caliber frangible plastic spheres filled with lab-grade capsicum. Yes, they'll fire from those (don't use it for paintballs, EVER, though, before that!), and they have scented-powder practice balls. They hurt like hell, and the pepper ones envelop the target in an unbreathable cloud of vapor-fine capsicum powder. Just keep firing tilll they go down or stagger out. This is why you want a good pistol, too. One breaking in the tube in a cheap pistol would ruin your day.

And yes, there's places online you can order them.

Here for a PDF of more info on the things. Lots of police departments use them now. (And they're too trigger-happy with them, I think.)

 

[Seven High]

A short sword, very large knife or bayonet sharpened extremely sharp would be viable in a home defence situation.