Problem with PSE Crossbow
 

Being a newcomer to the crossbow shooting world I purchased more on price than anything else. I bought a PSE Viper at 165 lb draw. It shoots good but the safety is directly in line with the string. This safety is a piece of metal that sticks out both sides of the rail so the bow can be used either handed. The problem with this is the safety has to be in the forward shoot position to allow the string to engage the trigger. When using the rope drawing device the hooks contact the safety bar and push it back to the safety position before the string engages not allowing it to engage. I have removed a little from each side of the safety that helps but without pulling outward and back the string will just not engage. This is not a show stopper but had I known about this before another model would have been purchased.

Would it help if you turned the hooks over?

No, turning the hooks over does not help. The safety is too directly in line with the top of the rail and either up or down the hooks are too long not to contact the safety. I can draw the bow but have to separate my hands as I pull the rope to clear the safety. When I called PSE and talked with a technician she would not offer any advice on what drawing mechanism to use. PSE does not make one and with this problem I can see why. Maybe till next year I will save my pennies and get one that is a bit more shooter friendly. At least this bow has taught me a few things to look for in a new bow. My reason for going to the crossbow is age and shoulder problems that caused too much pain to shoot. Drawing the crossbow by hand is out just because of that same reason. A crank device I would assume would cause the same problem as the rope. I am not willing to spend that much money just to find out.

One thing you might consider is to crimp a large speed nock on the string, one on each side of the barrel. Just far enough from center and away from the barrel to prevent the rope assist hooks from sliding so close that they catch the safety. They would have to be far enough from center that they do not interfer with the claw mechanism The down side is they may slow your arrow down a bit. The Red colored speed nocks would be big enough to do the job

I always ****ed my pse copperhead by hand, others have asked me in the past why I dont use a ****ing rope. I never felt the need for one, but had given it a thought on getting one to see how it does. I had more hopes of it helping to center up my string, as after ****ing my string I always double checked it to make sure it was centered.

Good idea on the nocks, will give me something to think about if I decided to try out the rope.

Dave

I asked my local pro shop (they do not sell PSE) about putting nocksets on the string and they did not think it was a very good idea as the bow may fling them off and possibly back at the shooter. I have thought of building up the serving to keep the hooks from sliding all the way into the rail. If things get too tough pulling the rope the way I am presently doing it I will try either nocksets or the wrap. Thaks for all your suggestions.

Building up the serving that much will affect the speed of the arrow and possibly the arrow to string fit. Learn to **** it by hand OR get rid of it.

If you use the large nock sets put a piece of shrink tubing over them or a small piece of rubber electrical tape, after crimping them on. They should not come off. Bowtech uses them on the StrykeForce string and it is a lot stronger than the PSE. They may slow your arrow down a bit but not substantailly!

Thanks Griz I think the nocksets would work. I am not too worried about losing a little arrow speed.

I like PSE bows... But...

Didn't PSE just start selling XBOWS???

The problem seems to be fixed. I cut about 1/8 inch off each side of the safety. This does not affect the working of the safety. I also started placing the rope behind the trigger group instead of around the buttstock. This allows the rope to ride on top of the safety post. When I draw the string the little pulleys ride up and over the safety without pushing it on safe. I shot it yesterday about 10 or 12 times to sight it in. I am quite happy with the accuracy I am getting at 25 yards. Thanks guys for your advice.
Longbeard I know that PSE has been in the crossbow arena for 2 years as I bought mine last summer.

Paul, you just needs to eats your spinach! Fancy meeting you here my friend. :)

delbert
 

I've been a bow hunter for years but had complete arm replacement and can no longer pull my bows and was given a new PSE vector for Christmas which at first I loved I was preparing to go deer hunting next week with my son so I started shooting my bow and the wheel broke and notched the string. here I'm wanting to go up to my sons this weekend and PSE don't have the parts in stock. I only fired this bow 50 to seventy time. only 5 times the day this happened, has others this with this bow