October 06, 2026, 11:56 AM
BigSwedeCrossbow for SHTF
As I'm typing this I remembered the dude with the crossbow on the zombie series, that's not where this thought came from.
I don't think a bow would be a good choice for me, I know it takes a lot of practice to be a good shot.
So, would a crossbow be in the hives opinion a good weapon for a backup to the backup and the other backups? Of course with plenty of bolts and repair parts
October 06, 2026, 12:50 PM
RipleyFollowing this thread.

October 06, 2026, 03:00 PM
pace40I'd go with a silenced .22LR before a crossbow.
October 07, 2026, 07:29 PM
Ronin101It would be good for hunting. if you where bugging in at a rural wooded area with deer etc.
Thats about all i can think of for real utility..
October 08, 2026, 12:38 AM
Boss1quote:
Originally posted by Ronin101:
It would be good for hunting. if you where bugging in at a rural wooded area with deer etc.
Thats about all i can think of for real utility..
^^This would be one notable advantage…if a true long-term situation where it actually got to the point of harvesting game for real extended survival…doing so discreetly would likely be preferable…hunting with a firearm/gunfire would bring the wrong kind of attention.
They’re also relatively easy to get, inexpensive (for budget models), and capable.
As they say, you’re only 9 meals away from anarchy.
$0.02 worth/ymmv.
October 08, 2026, 01:04 AM
casI think even with a large supply of bolts, it wouldn't be long before you were out of them. Shooting arrows out and about isn't like shooting them into targets. The "one and done" rate would be extremely high, probably most of the time, if not almost every time.
You could fit 4k rounds of .22LR in the space a dozen arrows with take up.
October 08, 2026, 06:51 AM
sourdough44Movies aside, I don’t see a lot of practical use unless hunting. They can be a little heavy, for what they are. Of course easier to shoot well quicker, compared to a bow.
There has been a lot of growth with using them for hunting, as most States opened up them for bow hunting. I have a buddy, on about his 4th crossbow, as they got better. His previous 3 are available to try, maybe buy, he tells me.
If wanting to try one, I think you could get a 3-4 year old model used, cheap. Just an idea if one wanted to dip a toe. The better time to buy is after deer season.
October 08, 2026, 09:29 AM
BigSwedeI might read up on the brands, the pawn shops usually have a few for sale. Can't hurt anything to have one, might be fun shooting in the back yard
October 08, 2026, 11:57 AM
GustoferIt worked for Charlie, though I still can't figure out where she got all of those arrows.
