How To Use A Crossbow And Why Use It Over Guns

Consider learning how to use a crossbow because you might want to pick it over guns in some cases. Here’s why!

RELATED: DIY Survival: How To Make A Crossbow From Scratch [Video]

In this article:

1. Expand Your Defense Plan with Crossbows
2. Crossbow: Its Advantages over Guns

A Case for the Crossbow: Use It over Guns When SHTF

Expand Your Defense Plan with Crossbows

Let’s talk about crossbows and why you should have a crossbow tutorial, learn first some crossbow basics, and later on improve your crossbow shooting skills. If you’re a regular reader, you know the argument I’m going to start with for any non-firearm form of protection and hunting tool.

Before gun lovers turn on me, I have to say I LOVE GUNS. Guns are great weapons and the ammo is a great resource.

You should own guns and ammo and be very good at using them, but don’t only have guns. Having other options is just a logical, practical choice.

If you’re planning on defending yourself or hunting in a survival situation, you need to assume you’ll likely run out of ammo at some point and will need another option. It’s just plain and simple.

Now, I’ve talked about this before, and I’ve recommended the air rifle as a good second option, which it is. But here’s another option to consider for your preps – the crossbow.

Crossbow: Its Advantages over Guns

Crossbows, or hunting crossbows, have been around for a very long time. Manufacturers still make them for a very good reason.

They’re very effective for protection and hunting and there are two huge things crossbows have up on guns:

RELATED: Crossbow Shooting 101: How To Improve Your Shooting Skills

1. They’re SILENT

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It works, well, minus the loud bang a gun gives when firing. So, you can get to shoot down game animals or any potential threat without compromising your location.

That’s why tactical crossbows are more ideal to use when SHTF.

Introducing the Ballista Crossbow

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I get asked a lot for my recommendations on crossbows. For me, there’s one which stands out from the rest. The Ballista Crossbow is the best you can get for the price.

It’s durable and powerful but not ridiculously overpriced like most options out there.

Here Are Some Quick Stats About the Ballista:

• Draw weight: 175 lbs
• Arrow speed: approx 210 fps
• Overall length: 30 1/2 “(ca. 77 cm)
• Width: 26 “(66 cm)
• Upper: Ultra Durable ABS plastic
• Patented ADF (Anti Dry Fire) mechanism
• 4×16″ aluminum arrows with Ultra flight arrowheads
• Padded Sling
• Lightning-fast ALD (Assisted Load Device)
• Rail Lubricant
• Included Inline 4 bolt Quiver

I’ve used mine a ton and I love it because it has proven to be extremely useful on my camping and hunting trips, so I highly recommend it. Though there is one main problem with the Ballista, it’s almost impossible to get ahold of because of how highly sought after they are.

The bolts are easy to get, but the bows themselves are so popular they’re rarely available on the market. So my advice would be to get one as soon as you get the chance.

2. They’re Not Threatened by the Anti-Second Amendment Movement

There are few laws restricting these weapons similarly, the bolts or arrows aren’t regulated by the government. The weapon and ammo are beyond the ebbs and flows of our government’s whims, which is a huge upside for me.

Watch this video by Canadian Prepper as he gives his thoughts about a crossbow vs guns when SHTF:

Understanding crossbows will help you better respect this underrated survival weapon. While very popular today (as a weapon of choice for Avenger’s Hawkeye and The Walking Dead’s Daryll), it is still a frowned-upon weapon in reality.

Now you know its two significant edges over guns and how it will actually play out in the real for certain survival situations. With these essential pieces of information, we can see you learning how to use a crossbow any time soon.

Do you have other ideas why the crossbow has an advantage over guns when SHTF? What do you think I missed? Please add them in the comments section below!

Up Next: 

• 19 “Old World” Primitive Survival Skills You’ll WISH You Knew Before SHTF
• Gunny R. Lee Emery: Long Bow vs. Crossbow – Guess Which One!
• DIY Pen Bow: The Makeshift Weapon That Could Save Your Life

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on March 28, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.