There are plenty of crossbows on the market today that can be called compact or streamlined. However, when it comes to taking the top prize in this category, the BAT crossbow from Ballista (Ballista.co) is the ultimate winner. This pistol-style crossbow is ingenuity at its best. From it’s backpack-fitting size, to its clever cocking mechanism, and finally to its versatility and performance, this weapon is top-tier on all fronts. Though some people may dismiss it as an underpowered novelty, this cannot be farther from the truth. With my own BAT crossbow in-hand, I found out for myself that this small wonder has both a silent bark and a vicious bite.
In-the-box Amazement
I pulled the product box out of the larger cardboard shipping box, and I was immediately intrigued by its size, which was just slightly larger than a shoebox. Then I opened it to reveal the BAT crossbow, and I was stunned with this weapon’s overall dimensions. The literature and website boast “The World’s Smallest Compound Crossbow” and after seeing it, I believed it, Inside the box was black foam packing material, which held three main sections of the crossbow that had to be slightly assembled. A set of five bolts, a screwdriver, string wax, a page of product stickers, and full instructions rounded out the interior items.
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Ease of Assembly
With the included directions, small Allen wrench, and screwdriver, assembly was simple overall. The main section came complete, while the add-ons consisted of the trigger handle and the front support handle. These attached in seconds. The entire unit was assembled in just under ten minutes and was ready to shoot. The instructions were spot-on and there were no hiccups with misaligned parts or hard-to access screws. When completed, the unit was solid and had no feel of loose parts or flimsy construction.
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Operational Excellence
Specs are one thing, but ease of use and practicality in-the-field are what really matters to the user, and in this arena, the BAT crossbow excels. First, its compact design allowed me to move about in thick foliage without getting snagged or hooked up on branches or bushy vegetation. The BAT fit easily within my shoulder bag, making transporting it a breeze. Operational-wise, the crossbow seemingly was created for tight environments and silent operation. The cocking mechanism was the BAT’s most impressive asset. The pull-back-to-cock cord was smooth, silent, and quick. The included Picatinny rail allowed me to add laser or red dot sight or scope in the future. Overall, the BAT’s design contributed greatly to its user-friendly operation, even when I was immersed deep in nature’s backyard.
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Performance Results
At a staggering 300 fps, the Bat crossbow offers blink-and-you-miss-it shooting prowess. The unit is ultra-quiet (excellent for the hunters out there) when cocking and firing. I set up targets at different distances (roughly 10, 30, and 100 feet) and the bolts hit their marks with no trouble at all. Their flights were swift with no wobbling. Upon impact, the bolts penetrated deep into the targets. The cocking mechanism can’t be ignored as it was something I haven’t seen or used before. A simple pull-back on the cordage cocked the BAT crossbow in just a few seconds. The strength needed to pull back the cocking cord was minimal. The bolts stayed put, thanks to its secure bolt clip. Many times in the past, I would lower a pistol crossbow just to have the bolt drop to the ground. Not so with the BAT.
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Secure the Bat!
Whether you are an avid hunter, angler, or just focus on tactical preparedness, the BAT crossbow is definitely for you. Its price tag of only $299.95 is incredible for what you get in return. From its compactness to its ingenious cocking system, accuracy and speed, you’ll be hard pressed to find a comparable product, aside from cheaply made, look-a-like pistol crossbows (you know the ones.) The BAT truly stands alone as a solid performer with the smallest footprint available on the market today.
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The Little BAT’s Big Specs
Model: BAT (World’s Smallest Compound Crossbow)
Body Material: Aluminum
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FPS Speed: 300
Overall size: 16 by 5 inches
Overall weight: 2.46 pounds
Reloading speed: 2.00 seconds
Pull rod draw weight: 40 lbs.
MSRP: $299.95
Website: Ballista.co
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