Barrel: The barrel of a crossbow, also known as the track, is the grooved portion where the bolt rides during shooting, ensuring accurate flight.
Foot stirrup: A foot stirrup is a device on a crossbow that allows the user to place their foot for stability while cocking the bow.
Safety: Safety in crossbows refers to mechanisms that prevent accidental discharges and ensure safe handling.
Stock: The stock is the portion of a crossbow that provides support and stability, allowing for accurate aiming and shooting.
Trigger: The trigger is a mechanism on a crossbow that releases the string, launching the bolt when pulled.
Trigger guard: A trigger guard is a protective loop surrounding a crossbow's trigger, preventing accidental discharges by restricting unintended contact.
Rope cocking devices
These are simple tools that use a rope and pulley system. They typically reduce the effort required to cock the crossbow by about 50%. The archer hooks the rope to the string and uses their body weight to draw the bow.
Cranks
These are more advanced mechanical systems attached to the crossbow. Cranks use gears to multiply the user's input force, making it much easier to cock high-poundage crossbows. They often allow for very precise and consistent drawing.
