Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

In my never ending quest to educate anti crossbowers who insist its a gun, I've been doing a little research on the "trigger" mechanism and comparing it to a traditional bow release. The principle operation of both devises seem similar, but my question is...guns have firing pins, or a hammer, that connect with the ammo which in turn ignites the gunpowder causing the gun to shoot. In the case of the trigger on a crossbow, there is no hammer or firing pin, only nocks that are indented to release the string when pulling the trigger to rotate the nock to a new position. As in hand releases with traditional bows, they have a lever to activate the release operation. They don't call it a trigger, but again, isn't it the same principle? Am I out in left field with this line of thinking, or have I stumbled on something that may have some merit as far as declassifying crossbows as guns?

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Catsclaw,
The crossbow triggers vary in style. Some have triggers similar in design to a firearm and some have designs more like a release. With that same comment, I will say that some string releases have designs similar to firearms (of course the bow guys would NEVER admit that):)

Thanks,
Randy

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

AH HA!!!!!

So I AM on to something here!! :D

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Not really. I hang around cause I enjoy hearing what Dnk has to say. But as a person on the outside I suggest another argument. When people say its like a gun, they mean, you don't have to draw it.And you know that they know that you know what they mean. The people who makes that argument know what they mean, and if you try to morph it into a mechanical engineering class, you really lose your point and sound not too smart.

This is not gospel but a guy outside looking in. A more convincing argument is history. Another is the one shot both have. Stay away from obvious's and negatives and amplify the positives. It works in politics.

I have had the opportunity to see arguments on both sides here in MD at the state house. I am just saying what works in my mind.

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Catsclaw: Hi! How ya been gal? Actually, guns have crossbow like characteristics, since the xbow preceeded them by about 1000 years, and the Chinese seem to have invented both. The "anti's" know full well the xbows performance is akin to a compound. It seems to me, most of the resistance to xbows acceptance is in states that are crowded w/ hunters.
Regardless of the reasons given, it all boils down to sharing the woods and the resources. Just my opinion here, but don't think you/we can change an anti's mind, and really don't need to, there is mostly a vocal few of them. It's the folks that sit back and take it all in, make up their own minds that are going to keep this ball rolling. Straight arrows to all!

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

"But it looks the same!" LOL. On the other hand I wish my crossbow triggers were as nice as my trigger on my Truefire. Release shooters (like me) have an edge on crossbow triggers for sure. Releases only have to handle wimpy poundanges so they are easier to set lighter. My judge release is probably half of what my exal is.

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

I know that you know that I understand what you think I know. :D

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

awshucks and dnk!!!! Hi guys!!!! (and everybody else):D

I've been pretty busy lately with work and other things. Been kinda neglecting dlife too.:(

But I think I can redeem myself with a few good excuses.:)

July 6th, I got to meet Ted Nugent backstage after his concert here. Still recovering from that!! :D

Been trying to shoot the xbow more now that I got the Acudraw on it, and can cock it myself!!! :D

Oh ya....and tomorrow, I'm meeting with the producer of a local sports show for pics and talk of doing a story on me!!!! :D

Got a million other things going on too, but to many to list. I'll try to check in more often!!!!! :)

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

But my question is "who's on first".:D

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

[&:]:D

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

You got class Mark!

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Well, 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class or 4th class????????:D:D:D:D:D:D

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Stacey, you got to get your priorities straightned out. But then again, Nugent back stage??? Sounds like your plate is full. I guess you're forgiven. I hope you've at least been lurking now and then.

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Ok...........how many guys are watching my every step??? Reb, Mark, Jay ......hmmmm I must be entertaining! LOL

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Just like watching Ma'dam Butterfly.
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RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Click here for Fred Bear audio

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Hey, I graduated 4th grade. whatcha sayin kentuckians are illiterate?[:-]

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Think he put you in the Kentuckian CLass! You see, he's above you, he's from Canada.:D:D:D

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

THANKS Rebel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The coolest part of the night was when Ted dedicated Fred Bear to me!!!! He said my name three times that night during the song!!!!!

Sorry, I still can't remember how to post a pic, so you'll have to make do with this......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...o/meandTed.jpg


;)


And yes, I lurk here often!!!!:)

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Hope this works for ya catsclaw.

RE: Crossbow=NOT a gun
 

Right. I'm kind ofon the same page here.
Nothing against them personally, thinking of gettig one for my Father for X-mass in fact.

Better to focus on the similarites of bow and xbow. The same nature of the projectile and the limits it imposes in terminal effect, range, power and accuracy. (yes, xbows shoot higher poundages, faster, tech more accurate than traditionally fired bows.They are still no where near the same power and accuacy as available in firearms, so why make such a point of their "better than a bow" stats.:eek:Doing thatonly hindersyour agrument that they are not a "gun".)

But when someone says "like a gun" they don't mean the similarities of the mechanics of how a trigger works, etc, but rather that they see bothas a "point and shoot" weapon. Not just a similar profile but that they both store and hold their energy for use at a later time and independent of the physical restraints of the shooter,just one is chemical and the other mechanical, while a bow requires the archer to draw and hold that energy with consious effort at the time of the shot. In their thinking, anyone can load a xbow (especially with modern cocking devices), walk around, then shot it some time later. Add the visual of scopes and just picking it up and sqeezing the trigger and they have it set in their mind. Again, better to focus on the similarities to a "regular" bow and arrow to make your point.

Also, the though of"gun" has only little to do with what or howit fires. The argument about hammers, fireing pins, etc is not good either since they are not exclusive or defining of a gun anyway.
After all, "guns" can fire bullets by chemical combustion (gun powder), or via compressed gas (air guns,CO2 and nitrogen) a hybrid like some experiments with combustable gases (propane, etc) or even the experimantal rocket guns from the 50s. And air doesn't mean just your Daisy or Red Rider but includes the big bore air rifles, from modern45 & 50 cal, to the ones made in the early 1800s, like the one taken with Lewis & Clarke. And there have been experiments and use of "arrow-like" projectiles in many firearms also.