A friend is selling a Parker Hornet Crossbow, regularly $650 new, for $450. He used it one season hunting (last year). I shot it - can hit an apple at 30 yds easily every time. No cocking mechanism, but I found it easy enough to pull back by hand - he had marks on each side to insure uniform pulling. Comes with 4 arrows and a Red Hot brand scope. Think I should get it? And I do not want to spend much over $400 by the way.

If not this one, what would you recommend?

Thanks!

Up to you. If you like the crossbow and plan to use it, go for it.

I am going to get it. Feels natural when I shoot - trigger is like my deer rifle. Also, I like the fact that it is almost impossible to take off part of your thumb with this bow - something you have to watch on others. For my ground blind hunting this should work well. Plan to hunt at about 30 yds or closer. Price is fair, and it is nice to be able to test it out.

the crossbow which fits you the most the best.
try hard before purchasing..

If you like the CB and it fits and feels right..... go for it!

Sounds like a fair price if it's in good shape as it sounds.

I've always had a ten point. Recently bought my son a Parker and all I can say is wow. He loves it and so do I. I will be getting a Parker in the future.

I know nothing of this particular Parker model. However, I have a Parker cross bow .... a Tornado. So do two of my hunting buddies .... they bought theirs after shooting mine.

None of us 3 have had zero issues with these so far, except one guy that dry fired his. Limbs were destroyed. Parker replaced the cross bow, no questions asked. Which I consider going way beyond my expectations.

I bow hunt a lot of days ... and have bagged many deer, a couple of feral hogs and one coyote with mine. Very accurate and plenty fast. I would, however, suggest that you buy a cocking rope. Makes cocking a lot easier, safer and in my opinion very consistent as far as setting the string uniformly.