Steambow’s most popular repeating crossbow to date is the AR-6 Tactical. There’s every chance that the latest model, the M10 Tactical, will take its place over time given its superior arrow capacity and reloading time with only a modest price increase. Yet, Steambow’s other configurations are best not overlooked and this blog considers what you might be missing by overlooking the smaller AR-6 Compact.
Is bigger always better?
In the firearms world, there are certain calibers everyone knows: 9mm, 44 Mag, and so on. These can be great fun to shoot, but one of the most popular is the diminutive .22LR. Some rough estimates put the US usage of this caliber at 2 to 5 billion rounds a year to the estimated 1-2 billion rounds of 9mm which, let’s remember, is also a staple in the competitive shooting scene.
The point is that small does not mean boring and greater power is not always needed. Sometimes taking your foot off the “draw-weight gas pedal” can be the key to barrels of fun because it is all so much more forgiving. Enter the AR-6 Compact. Smaller, lighter, more agile, and faster to reload shot-to-shot. Not to mention very affordable. Let’s look at those features in more detail.
Dimensions:
The AR-6 Compact is by far the lightest Steambow repeater at 0.8 kg or 1.8 lbs. It is also significantly shorter, lacking the entire length of any Tactical’s buttstock. This makes it very easy to manipulate and maneuver. Switching between targets is faster, and changing hands is faster. There’s also the practical aspect of storage. If you decide to fit the quick-detach frame, you have a crossbow that will literally disappear in your sock drawer or a small rucksack: two parts and 30 seconds away from reassembly.
Agility:
As mentioned above, the size and weight of the Compact mean it is faster to move around, in the same way that a rapier is faster to wield than a broadsword. Quick and precise switching between targets, shooting one-handed with the support hand ready to pull the cocking arm back into the ready position. This is where the Compact really shines.
Reloading:
No other AR-Series crossbow reloads the next shot as fast as the Compact, and that is saying something since none of the AR-Series is slow in its own right. The straight-pull cocking system is built for speed. You needn’t take your sights off the target, particularly if you stick to the very manageable 35-lb CQ limb it ships with. Even if you upgrade to 55- or 75 lbs, for most adults the reload is both feasible and quick. In standard trim, right out of the box, one YouTuber managed to put all 6 arrows on target in a fraction over 4 seconds.
If you add to that mix the M10 upper, you have a crossbow that could put 20 arrows on target in about 18 seconds, after a bit of practice switching magazines. That is a lot of fun to be had, whether you are shooting the same target or numerous ones.
The truth is that the AR-6 Compact is an excellent starting point for making a truly personalized repeating crossbow, that can have all the top-of-the-line upgrades without breaking the bank, without taking up lots of room, or without wearing through consumables like arrows, strings, and targets at the higher rates you get with stronger limbs. It is fast, yet unassuming. It is not intimidating and can be a great way to introduce novices and newbies to the world of triggers, whether the rest of the journey involves primers or strings.
The AR-6 Compact is possibly the most repeating crossbow you can get for your money and remains something built with true weapons pedigree at its heart. If that sounds like fun for you, perhaps you should take a look at what’s on offer in the webshop today.
