There is more to bow and arrow than just a sport.
The bow and arrow are surviving weapons used by humans even before recorded history. With time the usage expanded to hunting, bowfishing and today archery is gaining popularity more than ever. In this article, we are going back to basics and listing the best tactical compound bows.
Things About Tactical Compounds
What Makes A Good Tactical Bow?
We can say for almost every compound bow on the market nowadays that is in a way tactical. It is carefully planned and it has the equipment to do the job better. Tactical is a matter of skill and practice. When choosing the compound bow for a specific purpose you should take all the parameters into the calculation and choose the one that fits your needs.
Compound Bows in Military
Bows and arrows are one of the first man-made weapons. It had high usage in the tribes, military forces even a regular household had one. With the improvement of technology, the military found more practical weapons to use. Although the bow and arrow can be deadly, it is not practical in the combat. Nowadays, some armies still practice using the bow and arrow but it is not a primal choice for them.
Compound Bow For Self-Defense
Another tactical way to use a compound bow can be in self-defense. If you are practicing archery as a sport, in a downhill situation you can use it for self-defense. Again, there is the problem of practicality and in the stressful situation is not easy to hold your arrow still and make an accurate shot, but there are testimonials that this is an intimidating choice for the opposite side.
Survival Compound Bow
Survival compound bow is not a new concept on the market, but since the new designs, it becomes something that archers love to have nearby. It is small that can fit into a backpack, it is light and practical. It is designed to get the job done without too much hustle. They don’t require any tools, maintenance and they are built to last a really long time.
Best 5 Tactical Compounds
Best Tactical Compound Bow
SAS Tactical Survival Bow
Dimensions
The SAS Tactical is a folding bow. When it is strung it is a longbow of 60 inches. Folded has only 21 inches. The maximum draw length is 31 inches and the draw weights range from 50 pounds to 55 pounds. It is extremely lightweight with only 2.2 pounds.
Shooting Speed
Although small, this is a powerful bow that has a shooting speed up to 210 feet per second. This is the most compact and most powerful tactical bow that you can find on the market today. It is as silent bow so it is even perfect for hunting. If you love being outdoors, camping and traveling, this is a perfect choice for you.
Design
This tactical bow is manufactured in the USA using aerospace-grade materials. It is designed to fit into a backpack. It is a new folding design which allows you to quickly convert from folded to weapon-ready state. It comes in a few different colors and it can be used by the left-handed and right-handed users.
Package Accessories
Whit the SAS Tactical you get a few accessories you might need. Fred Bear All-Weather arrow rest, security strap, 16 Strand B50 Dacron 60” string, and carrying case for everything. It is recommended to buy an extra stabilizer and silencer especially if you are hunting with it. And Arrows are not included in the package.
- ready to shoot in a few seconds
- for right-handed and left-handed users
- only 21” inches long when folded
- made in the USA
Best Small Tactical Compound Bow
ZSHJG Archery Triangle Compound Bow
Specifications
The draw length of this compound bow is 27 inches, and the draw weight goes up to 40 pounds. The length of the bow is 21.5 inches what is small and practical and the brace height is 9.2 inches. It weighs 3.4 pounds which should be easy to carry around.
Finish Design
This is a compact triangle compound bow that comes in two different finishes. You can choose from black and camo version. The riser is made from carbon riser, and bowstrings are made of mixture quality and durable materials. Peep sight and a D-loop are pre-installed in the factory, along with the ergonomic handle on the grip.
Speed
The compound bow has a shooting speed up to 270 feet per second which is very powerful for such a small bow. It has a unique release mechanism that makes aiming and releasing easy and accurate. It is suitable to use in hunting and military expeditions and it is designed for right-handed and left-handed users.
Items Included In The Package
This compound bow comes with all the necessary accessories that make it ”ready to shoot” bow. Included are bow sight, but additional multiple pin sight would be recommended, a stabilizer, a wrist sling, an arrow rest and 6 arrows with the tips of 100 grain made of quality carbon.
- small axle to axle length of 21.5 inches
- shooting speed up to 270 fps
- suitable for hunting
- ”ready to shoot” package
Best Military Compound Bow
XQMART Takedown Recurve Bow
Technical Specifications
The draw weight of this bow ranges from 40 pounds to 50 pounds depending on the model. This is a longbow with 58 inches length (axle to axle). You can choose between black and camo finish. The limbs are made of hard maple and fiberglass and the bowstring is constructed using BCY material.
Strong And Durable Bow
This is not a heavy bow but it feels solid, sturdy and comfortable when you are holding it. The riser is made of high-quality aluminum and it has an ergonomic grip. It has pre-installed brass bushings and it is easy to upgrade it to your preferences. It is designed for easy assembly, and when it is dissembled it is small enough o fit in the backpack.
Additional Items
The good thing about this bow is that it comes with some additional items. The accessories package includes 5-pin bow sight, one brush arrow rest, a stabilizer made of rubber and 12 fiberglass arrow. You even get some additional items like an armguard, a fingerguard, bowstring wax, and an arrow puller.
Ready To Shoot
Because of all the items you get in the package, this bow is great for beginners also. It is strong and powerful but with some practice at the target range, you can reach a peak of your skills in no time. It is practical to carry around on the missions and it is quick and easy to adjust in every situation you find your self in.
- it is a longbow that features more stability
- pre-installed ergonomic grip
- made of quality fiberglass
- great selection of additional item included
Best Survival Bow
Spectre II Compact Take-Down Survival Bow
Technical Details
This is a little bit different bow than the others on the list. It is more of a recurve bow than compound bow but it is the perfect survival bow. It has draw weight that goes from 25 pounds to 55 pounds, depending on the model. The draw length is a maximum of 30 inches. It is made in the USA.
Portability
The main thing you want that your survival bow is to be portable. This one dissembles in 3 parts and the longest part is only 23 inches long. It is compact and small and it fits in any backpack. It comes with the carrying case so you can attach it even to the belt.
Accessories
The bow comes with a few accessories. There is the bow carrying case that is already mentioned. Extra Dacron endless loop, but it doesn’t come with the nock point so it is recommended to buy one. The arrows are also included. You get three arrows of 30 inches made of carbon fiber.
Styling
This is maybe not the most beautiful bow you have ever seen but it may be the most functional one. The limbs are the different colors from the riser so you get the 2-tone bow, but because of the materials, you can paint the limbs as you wish. This is not a bow to show-off but to do the job when in need.
- 30 inches longbow
- easy to assemble
- package includes 3 arrows
- doesn’t come with a nock point
- only one color available
Best Tactical Compound Bow Package
Compound Bow Topoint Archery Package M1
Adjustability
This is the perfect tactical compound bow. It has draw weight that goes from 19 pounds to 70 pounds. The draw length ranges from 19 inches to 30 inches. Everything adjustable without using the bow press. It is a smaller compound bow with only 28 inches axle to axle length and a brace height of 7 inches.
Shootability
This Toppoint M1 compound bow is powerful. It has a shooting speed of up to 320 feet per second. The let-off is at 80% and it weighs only 3.3 pounds which makes it perfect for hunting and target shooting. With a dual cam system, it delivers a powerful and smooth shot.
Build Materials
This bow is made in the USA. The riser is aluminum and cams are CNC milled of 7075-T6 high-quality aluminum. The limbs are made of Gordon Composites in multiple layers and they are manufactured as split limbs. The bowstring is also made from a quality mixture of materials by BYC
Package Accessories
This is one of the most versatile compound bows on the market but it is primarily designed for hunting. It comes ready to hunt and adjustments take only a few minutes. The riser has pre-cuts so you can attach all that you need. Items included are 5-pin optical sight, quiver, brush, Allen keys, and even carbon mix arrows.
- smooth in shooting
- CNC milled cams allow great adjustability
- durable aluminum riser
- soft grip pre-installed on the riser
- ”ready to hunt” package
Conclusion: Which Tactical Compound Bow Do You Need?
Tactical compound bows are a small branch in the archery world, but it is growing. New compound bows are made to be small light and portable, and because of that SAS Tactical Survival Bow is the perfect bow. Another good choice is ZSHJG Archery Triangle Compound Bow. It is small and ready to shoot.
If you are looking for more information take a look at the article about the good compound bow and how to find one. There is also a review about cheap compound bows and my top pick for the best compound bow for hunting.