Specifically, it’s the area between the limbs and the latch that holds the pulled-back, cocked string. The rail is also known as the track or barrel, and like the barrel of a firearm, it is the long part of the weapon where the projectile, in this case the bolt, travels while it picks up speed. These are usually made of strong machined aluminum that can withstand the intense amount of pressure put on the limbs.
![a crossbow a crossbow](http://www.wikihow.com/images/5/53/Make-a-Mini-Crossbow-Final.jpg)
Since there must be space between the limbs for the bolt to pass through, a crossbow must feature two risers, one for each limb. The risers connect the limbs to the rest of the crossbow. These can wear down the string, so the serving protects it. When you cock a crossbow, mechanisms hold the bowstring in the drawn position until you fire. This is often some kind of synthetic material coated with resin that’s wrapped around the bowstring in the area where it’s drawn and held. This usually means natural fibers like linen or animal sinew or synthetic fibers like kevlar or dacron.Ĭrossbow strings also feature something called a serving.
![a crossbow a crossbow](https://www.bowadvisor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/best-crossbow.jpg)
To do all this effectively, it must be made of lightweight yet durable, flexible material. As a result, if you put a bolt in front of the string, it will transfer all the kinetic energy into the bolt and shoot it at hundred of meters per second. When you release the string, it will fly forward. If you pull the string back, it pulls the limbs back, which then act like springs. The bowstring attaches to the limbs at either end. Then, when you let go, the limbs spring forward with all their stored energy, launching the arrow or bolt at high speeds. The string can be pulled back, and the limbs bend instead of breaking. They branch out from the center of the crossbow symmetrically, and each limb attaches to one end of the bowstring. These days limbs can be made of many different materials including wood, aluminum and carbon fiber. Traditionally they were made of flexible wood. Limbs are arguably what make a crossbow, or any other kind of bow, an effective weapon. Since it’s a bit more complex than a vertical bow, understanding the anatomy of a crossbow can help you use it more effectively. It’s also important to know that the projectiles normally fired from crossbows are referred to as bolts, though you may sometimes see them called arrows as with regular bows. The frame contains mechanisms that hold the bowstring, which can then be released to fire the crossbow.
![a crossbow a crossbow](https://content.instructables.com/ORIG/FVI/Z8FQ/I9CLUXEV/FVIZ8FQI9CLUXEV.png)
Anatomy of a CrossbowĪ crossbow is basically a vertical bow mounted horizontally on a frame. We've created a quick guide to help you learn the ropes. Before diving into the world of bowhunting and archery, its important to learn the parts of a crossbow.