What on Earth is Going On With The Spartacist League and Workers Vanguard? - 22 Oct 2020

The Spartacist League, which once upheld revolutionary Marxism (and still claims to do so today) but has had nothing to say about the momentous events convulsing U.S. society over the last six months.  The last issue of Workers Vanguard went to press in late May.  No new issues of Workers Vanguard have come out, and the online website simply has a note from August 18 announcing that the paper would appear on an irregular schedule. 

Activists familiar with the U.S. left keep asking us: What on earth is going on with the SL? How is it that their silence continues month after month? There is talk of a faction fight, but that is hardly an excuse for the sepulchral silence from the moribund SL. Politically, their absence from the battlefield destroys any remaining pretense of providing leadership, much less revolutionary leadership.

Back in June the Internationalist Group wrote:

Amid the most massive protest movement in decades, as it has continued week after week, the Spartacist League has not published a paper, put out a leaflet or posted a single statement on its website ....Their silence speaks volumes: the SL’s abject abdication is a declaration of political bankruptcy.”²

That was more than three months ago. Since that time, the SL/U.S. still has not uttered a peep. That certainly takes some doing, given the intensity and importance of political events throughout this period. In rare encounters with downcast SLers who go through the motions of sheepishly peddling months-old issues of their paper, 

 

A few have now ventured a new claim: the Spartacists criticize the Internationalist Group for marching with Black Lives Matter leaders who support Democrats and Antifa anarchists.  The Internationalist Group responds that marching with revolutionary slogans (including, prominently, “Democrats are the bosses of the racist killer cops”) in mass protests against racist police is not being followers of BLM and Antifa.  

Sparticists selling Workers Vanguard are drilled to repeat this cynical sophist blather to justify failing to fight bourgeois politics. So where were you, SL, when Democrats were misleading millions into a dead-end, with a little help from their friends on the opportunist left? Answer: the SL was AWOL.

The SL has been undergoing yet another phase in its endless internal crisis. Is its paralysis partly the result of the downward spiral of its ever more wacked-out internal life? No doubt about it. Does its utter incapacity to respond to what’s happening in the real world outside its endless internal fever dream display stunning incompetence by its leadership, and the emptiness of their claims to be building a revolutionary party? Self-evidently.

 

A California shark lab tagged a record number of sharks off the Southern California coast this year - By Alaa Elassar (CNN) 19 Oct 2020

 

A shark lab in California tagged more sharks off the coast of Southern California this year than ever before, raising questions researchers are unable to answer.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic limiting team members and lab time, California State University's Long Beach Shark Lab director Chris Lowe told CNN his team still tagged 38 sharks in 2020, triple the number they tagged the year before.

"This has been the biggest summer that we've had in the 10 years we've been doing this," Lowe said. "There's still a lot of sharks around that aren't even tagged yet so we're probably going to tag even more before the year's over."

"It seems like 2020 will be a year-round shark season and we don't know why. There's a lot of questions we don't have answers to right now," he added.

Along with a hike in numbers, the sharks are also being tagged in areas where they never visited in the past, such as regions off the coast of San Diego. The sharks are also lingering around the beaches for longer than usual, another odd behavior researchers are struggling to understand.

"What's interesting is that the sharks are sticking around this time. Usually they find a beach and stay there for a couple of weeks before dispersing and going to another hot spot," Lowe said.

"What's unusual is that this year we have aggregations still going since March, so while new sharks have come into the aggregation and some left, by large we still have animals we tagged in March that are sticking around and we haven't seen that before."

While researchers don't know why the sharks are hanging around, Lowe said they suspect it could be related to food sources or a result of climate changes.

Water temperatures in Southern California generally start to drop in October, signaling sharks to start migrating south. This year, however, surface water temperatures remain warm, anywhere between 65 degrees Fahrenheit to the low 70 degrees mark, and sharks aren't leaving as they usually do, according to Lowe.

While some of the sharks are hanging around the shorelines of crowded beaches, the predators have not been interacting much with people in the water despite being in close proximity to them.

"It looks like a very unusual year," Lowe said. "Something's changing and we just don't know why. With all these sharks off public beaches, it raises a lot of public concern. The first thing is, do we have scientific data to show what these sharks are doing and does it pose a risk to the public? As soon as we get that information we'll get that out to the public."

Lowe gives this warning: Be careful surfing or swimming in the water, especially near seals.

After all, you wouldn't want to get between a shark and a seal.

https://www.kctv5.com/a-california-shark-lab-tagged-a-record-number-of-sharks-off-the-southern-california-coast/article_119ec479-a053-5d27-9c0a-1085ba51a62a.html

 

 

How to Build a Small Game Survival Snare

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Creek Stewart of Willow Haven Outdoor.

I practice and learn survival skills not because I need them on a daily basis, but rather for the one day when I must use them to stay alive.  Survival is the intersection between knowledge and necessity.    The outcome in a survival scenario can be dramatically influenced by practicing survival skills before you need them.  One such skill that requires thoughtful practice is How to Build a Small Game Survival Snare.  A primitive make-shift snare can be used to trap and kill a variety of animals for food in a survival situation.  This basic concept can also be modified and used as a “man-trap” or “perimeter alarm”–both of which are commonly deployed in guerrilla warfare.

While constructing a survival snare is fairly simple, it is often oversimplified with vague instructions and limited photos.  By the time you finish reading this article you will know the who, what, why, when, where, and how of the simplest and most efficient survival snare known to man.  If your knowledge ever crosses paths with necessity, this may prove useful.

The Why

For short term survival (1-7 days), food is not a critical priority.  Shelter, water, fire, and signaling are typically more immediate concerns.  At some point, though, you must put calories on the human furnace or suffer the debilitating consequences of starvation.

To my knowledge there isn’t one single primitive culture, tribe, or people where meat is/was not a critical component of their diet.  Modern equipment, farming, transportation, food processing, supplements, and complex supply chains give us the option not to eat meat if we choose.  Remove these luxuries for an extended period of time and the calories from meat once again become necessary for survival.  It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to source enough calories in a primitive survival scenario by gathering wild plant edibles alone–especially in cold weather climates or seasons.

Time and energy conservation are both very important factors to consider in any survival situation.  This is precisely why snares are such an important survival tool.  Once constructed and set, a snare will allow you to focus on other survival priorities.  And, it will keep working even while you are sleeping.  With 10 snares you can be hunting in 10 different locations at the same time while expending ZERO energy.  You become a one man hunting party.  Snares are a survivor’s secret weapon.  Not only are snares incredibly reliable and effective, they also require very few resources to build–in materials, energy, and time.

The Who

Before you even think about spending time and energy on building and setting a snare, you must first determine whom (or in this case which animal) your snare is targeting.  For survival purposes, small game represents your best chance of success.  While the snare design I will show you can be scaled up to catch animals as large as deer, it is more practical to target small game animals such as rabbit, squirrel, and ground dwelling fowl such as quail or grouse.  This snare can also be modified to fish for you as well.  Not only are smaller game animals easier to catch and field dress, but you can set numerous small game snares with the same time and material resources it would cost you to set one larger snare.  Setting snares is a numbers game.  The more snares you set, the greater your odds of success.

The When and Where

This snare can be effective in virtually any climate and any environment on any continent.  It can be deployed any time of the year and is equally effective day and night.  From desert to rain forest, I can’t think of a place where you can’t use some version of it to catch small game.

With that said, placing random snares throughout the woods is foolish and a waste of time and energy.  Though they can be baited to draw in animals, snares are most effective when strategically placed in-line with existing small game trails.  As you will see in the HOW section of this article, the heart of this snare is a noose which should be positioned across a frequently traveled small game path or shelter entrance such as a den or burrow.

To be successful, you must read the forest or terrain in which you find yourself.  You must look for signs of small game traffic and activity.  These signs include scat (droppings), tracks, rubs, scratches, signs of feeding, shelter or burrow entrances, food and water sources, and well-traveled game trails.

I took a walk in the forest here at Willow Haven Outdoor and snapped a few photos of some telltale animal signs that should catch the eye of a passing survivor.  See if you can identify the small game activity in these photos below:

The best place for the snare I detail in the next section is across a well-traveled small game path.  These paths, called “runs,” typically lead from the nest, shelter, or den to water and food sources.  Animals are the ultimate survivors and also live by the survival code of energy conservation.  Consequently, several animals may travel the same trail or path on a regular basis.  Animals travel the path of least resistance and strategically placed snares along this path can be very effective.

Finally…The What and the How

There are literally hundreds of different snare sets and designs–some of which are overly complex.  If you only learn one snare design in your life, it should be what I call the Trigger Spring Snare.  I wish I could take credit for the design, but it dates back to the beginning of mankind and versions of it have been used by primitive people in all parts of the world.  It has been time-tested, field-tested and survival-tested.  It is my #1 GO-TO Survival Snare set.

The Trigger Spring Snare consists of 4 components which can be readily sourced in nearly any survival situation.  These components are:

1. The Noose (made from some kind of cordage–preferably wire)
2. The 2 Part Trigger (carved from wood)
3. The Leader Line (also made from some kind of cordage)
4. The Engine (typically a bent over sapling)

The Noose

The noose does exactly what you think–it nooses the animal.  The most effective noose material is wire.  There are many different types of wire that will work.  The wire must be flexible.  It cannot be too thick or brittle.  When set in the shape of a noose (shown later), it must tighten easily and quickly when pulled upon.  Some examples are:

• Twisted copper strands from the inside of an everyday lamp or small appliance power cord
• Picture hanging wire
• Stripped wire from car or vehicle electrical systems
• Craft wire
• Headphone wire
• Wire from a spiral bound note pad
• An uncoiled spring (such as in a ballpoint click pen)
• Wire reinforced bras
• Wire from inside electronics such as toys, phones, and radios

If wire is unavailable, some kind of string or cord will have to do.  It must be strong enough to hold a 5-8 lb animal.  If it snaps under the force of a couple jerks between your fists then it probably won’t work well.

Here are several alternative cordage ideas:

• The inner strands from 550 Parachute Cord
• Shoe strings
• Dental floss
• Fishing line
• Unwoven webbing
• Strong stitching material such as what is used to sew together leather and outdoor goods such as purses, wallets, cell phone cases, belts, jackets, and backpacks

If no modern wire or cordage is available, there are many natural plants and tree bark fibers that can be fashioned into suitable cordage.  Several excellent cordage plants/trees are:

• Milkweed
• Dogbane
• Stinging nettle
• Many inner tree barks such as cedar and elm
• Palm
• Cattail

Below is a photo of several cords made from reverse wrapping plant and tree bark fibers.  Remember, primitive cultures used this snare for hundreds of years with no modern wire or rope.  It takes more time and knowledge but is certainly possible.

The average length of your noose cord needs to be 18-24 inches for most small game animals.  To construct your noose you need to make a small loop in one end about the diameter of a pencil.  With wire you can simple make the loop and twist the wire back on itself several times.

With string, simply fold the end back onto itself and tie an overhand knot to secure the loop.

Then, run the other end of the cord/wire through the loop to create your noose.  The tag end is then tied to your trigger as is detailed in the next section.

The Trigger and Leader Line

The trigger consists of 2 parts: the HOOK and the BASE.  As you can see in the diagram below, the LEADER LINE is tied to the top of the HOOK and the NOOSE is tied to the bottom of the HOOK.  The ENGINE (typically a bent over sapling) provides tension to the HOOK which is secured under the BASE–until an animal disengages it by pulling on the NOOSE.  The LEADER LINE from the HOOK to the ENGINE can be any type of cordage.  It needs to be strong enough to withstand the initial “spring jerk” and then the weight of the suspended (and struggling) animal.

Several Trigger Modifications

When it comes to this style of trigger, don’t limit yourself to one exact model.  The same result can be accomplished in many similar ways.  You may have to improvise in a survival scenario.  It is the principle that is important.  Below are several trigger modifications that I worked up to give you a few ideas.

CARVED TRIGGER

This trigger style is simply carved from 2 hard wood sticks.  Notice the BASE of the trigger system that is staked into the ground.  The noose in the photo above is made from the inner strands of 550 paracord.  Below is another photo of a carved trigger snare.  This noose is made from the copper wires from inside an old lamp cord which makes an ideal noose material.  Notice how I’ve used little twigs to hold my noose in place.  This can be helpful to keep your noose exactly where you want it.

PRIMITIVE “Y” STICK TRIGGER

This trigger requires very little carving– simply find 2 sticks that branch how you need them and let nature provide your trigger system.  The noose in this photo is made from the fibers of a raffia palm tree.  This BASE is also staked into the ground.

PEG STYLE TRIGGER

Rather than having a BASE that is staked in the ground, the HOOK of this trigger system is secured on a peg or nail that you can place in a nearby log, stump, or tree.  I’ve even created triggers that have hooked onto nearby rock ledges.  This photo also features a “baited trigger.”  I have sharpened the bottom of the hook and stuck on a piece of bait (raisin) to lure an animal through the noose.  As soon as the bait is tampered with, the HOOK disengages.  Make sure the animal must put its head through the noose to access a baited trigger.

Fishing Modification

This same trigger snare principle can be used with a hook and line for fishing as well.  Instead of using a noose, attach your fishing line to the bottom of the HOOK TRIGGER.  When a fish pulls your line and disengages the trigger, the ENGINE will pull and set the hook in the fish’s mouth.  Make sure your TRIGGER HOOK is just barely set so that the slightest tug from a nibbling fish engages the ENGINE.  See the diagram below:

The Engine

Every environment is different and unique.  There may not be a sapling to bend over along a game trail.  Or, you may be in the middle of a prairie or field where there are no trees at all.  If so, you must improvise.  There are many ways to do this.  One way is to simply cut down a green sapling or branch from another area and stake it in the ground to use as an ENGINE.  Your LEADER LINE can also be weighted and run over a branch or make-shift tripod to serve the same purpose.  In the photo below I’ve weighted the LEADER LINE with a 10 pound rock that applies tension to the TRIGGER.  I used the bark from a root as the LEADER LINE and a NOOSE made from braided cattail leaves–this is a 100% primitive snare set.

In the set below, I used a similar principle except I erected a make-shift tripod to serve as an anchor point for the LEADER LINE.  Here, the LEADER LINE is a high visibility 550 Paracord.

Your ENGINE (whether a sapling, branch, or weighted system) should be powerful enough to suspend a small game animal in the air.  This helps to ensure a faster and more humane kill and also keeps your catch away from other predators who would certainly be very interested in a free meal.  If in doubt, you can test your snare ENGINE by using a 6-8 pound rock or log.

A NOTE ABOUT TIME AND ENERGY CONSERVATION:

The NOOSE from this snare system can be an incredibly effective snare by itself–without a TRIGGER or ENGINE.  By securing the tag end of the NOOSE to a stake or tree and placing it across a burrow/nest entrance or a very well-traveled small game run, a trigger system may not even be necessary.  This is a very popular method for snaring rabbits.  It doesn’t get easier than this.  Be prepared, though, for a live animal once you return in many cases.  See the diagram below.

Directing the Traffic Flow

As I mentioned earlier, animals will typically follow the path of least resistance to conserve energy.  Use this to your advantage by arranging sticks, logs, dirt, rocks, or other objects in such a way that funnels the animal into your snare NOOSE.

Try not to disturb the area too much if possible.  The more natural you leave it the better.  Animals survive on INSTINCT and will react if something seems out of place.  The forest is their home and they know it by heart.  Leave as little trace of your activity as possible.

Conclusion

I’ll end this article with a list of Survival Snaring Guidelines that I follow and for you to consider.

• Survival snares are for survival situations.  Primitive improvised snares are otherwise illegal.
• The more snares you set, the greater your chances of success.
• If moving from an area, disable all snares you’ve set.
• Check your snare sets several times each day if possible–especially in warm weather.  Your catch can spoil or be scavenged by other predators.  And, if you have a live animal, you don’t want it to suffer longer than it has to.
• If you kill it, eat it.  A diseased animal is the exception.
• Remains from previously snared animals make excellent bait for other snares–especially entrails.
• Meat is not the only survival resource that can be gained from snaring an animal.  The hide can be used.  Most animals have enough brains to brain-tan their own hide.  Bones can be used as tools, hooks, and spear points.  Intestines, sinew, and rawhide can be used for lashings and cordage.  Use as much of the animal as possible.  It has given its life for you.

I keep a handful of ready-made wire snares in my survival kit and Bug Out Bag.  They are extremely lightweight and take up very little space.  And, wire is a multifunctional kit item that can be used for a variety of tasks.

The key to survival is not about mastering a single survival skill, but rather about being well-rounded in a variety of skills that can help provide you with basic needs–and FOOD is certainly one of these in an extended survival scenario.  Energy conservation is very important and using snares to secure food is an intelligent use of time and resources.  I hope you’ve taken away something useful from this post.

Remember, it’s not IF but WHEN,

Creek

____________________

Creek Stewart is a Senior Instructor at the Willow Haven Outdoor School for Survival, Preparedness & Bushcraft.  Creek’s passion is teaching, sharing, and preserving outdoor living and survival skills. Creek is also the author of the book Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit. For more information, visit Willowhaven Outdoor.

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See Also:

Project Gutenberg's Deadfalls and Snares, by A. R. (Arthur Robert) H

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/34110/34110-h/34110-h.htm

How to Choose the Best Pistol Crossbow for You

 

How to Choose the Best Pistol Crossbow for You

1. What Will You Use It For?
2. Draw Weight
3. Size
4. Draw Method
5. Attachments
6. Conclusion

There’s something impressive about the power of a crossbow. In fact, they changed the course and tactics of warfare during their advent. Today the crossbow remains a staple of hunting. And somewhere along the lines hand crossbows and mini crossbows snuck into the imagination of progressive users.

What if we could pack the power of a crossbow down into a miniature version, still powerful enough to deal serious damage for sport or hunting?

Popularized by fantasy novels and TV shows, sneaky characters seem to do their dirty work with these fun-sized weapons. So how do you find a pistol crossbow that you can use to practice your aim? I’m going to help you decide.

 

There are only two real uses for a pistol crossbow if you’re going to be an upstanding citizen about it. First, you could use it just for fun and target practice. Second, you could use it for hunting small game. We urge against dressing up like a ninja and fighting crime with your new hand crossbow.

What Will You Use It For?

Pistol crossbows come in many weights and designs. They’re all made for a different purpose! We’ll talk more about the details, but first you need to think about why you want this hand crossbow.

Will you use it just for target practice? Is budget a big concern, or are you willing to pay more for improved accuracy?

 

If you’re going to try to hunt with it, what type of game will you try to kill? To learn more about bowhunting (including pistol crossbow hunting) and to stay up on changing trends and regulations see these resources:  Horizontal Bowhunter Magazine and North American Crossbow Federation.

Maybe you want a hand crossbow so that you can use to get started in competitive crossbow shooting, and you”re looking for the cheapest pistol crossbow to get started. For information about competitive crossbow shooting and events see: USA Crossbow, Inc.

Decide the purpose of your purchase first!

Draw Weight

Like any bow, pistol crossbows and mini crossbows are mainly categorized by their draw weight. That is, how many pounds of force does it take to pull the string back?

For a traditional bow like a longbow or a recurve a standard draw weight might be between 40 – 80 pounds today. Full size crossbows can draw as much as 300+ pounds!

Pistol crossbows typically range from about 50 – 100 pounds of draw weight. Most pistol crossbows tent to hover around the 80 pounds mark. This draw weight, depending on many factors, can usually result in a bolt speed of 100 – 200+ fps.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Sen_X_AR_6_Tactical_Arrow_Repeating_Crossbow_by_Steambow/5004

Size

Don’t be fooled – size does matter when it comes to hand crossbows. Essentially the whole point of a pistol crossbow is mobility and, at a nefarious level, concealment. Their lighter weight makes them easier to carry over longer distances, through thick brush, or in tight confines. Compared to a full-size crossbow, they’re less accurate and produce less power but they make up for that in their size advantages.

Most pistol crossbows today offer very little appreciable size differences. By and large, they’re all within a pretty narrow range of size variance. If size is critical to you, however, be sure to consider this factor before making an order.

Draw Method

Traditionally there were several ways to draw a crossbow. Cranks, levers, and hooks have all been common options over the years of crossbow evolution. Today’s pistol crossbows pretty much rely on just two variations of drawing the string and loading the bow.

Popular among lower draw weight bows is the direct draw method. These “mini crossbows” use a direct draw because the draw weight is low enough that no mechanical advantage (leverage) is required. They typically have a simple handle on the back of the crossbow that’s pulled straight back to draw the string.

Nearly exclusively among pistol crossbows is the lever cocking method. Usually integrated directly into the back of the bow is an elegantly hidden lever. These bows are “break action” and depressing a lock switch allows you to use the lever to draw the bow string back. This creates a marginal amount of mechanical advantage (think back to physics class) to help when drawing the string.

Attachments

Because accessorizing is as popular for adults with ranged weapons as it is for children with Barbie dolls, we must address this major concern. Attachments for modern ranged weapons typically mount to a standardized system known as a picatinny rail. To attach any fancy tactical gear to your pistol crossbow, you’ll need a picatinny rail.

A few pistol crossbows come with pre-mounted picatinny rails. If you’re interested in putting a red dot sight, flashlight, or other neat looking gadget on your bow you’ll need to make sure you purchase a bow with this capability!

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a hunting weapon for the varmints on your bird feeder or you just want to practice, there’s a pistol crossbow or mini-crossbow waiting for you. While these make great introductions to shooting for kids, they’re not to be mistaken for toys.

Even for the experienced shooter, a bow like the Prophecy 80-pound has enough accuracy and speed to be a viable tool! Remember, before you make a purchasing decision, be sure to decide on your personal needs.

 

You might also be interested in these related review articles:

SHOOTING & ARCHERY  AIR RIFLES | AIR RIFLE SCOPES | COMPOUND BOWS | CROSSBOWS | PISTOL CROSSBOWS | RECURVE BOWS | HANDGUN SAFES | BIOMETRIC GUN CASES | RIFLE CASES | COMPOUND BOW CASES | CROSSBOW CASES

HUNTING GEAR  HUNTING BOWS | CROSSBOWS | HUNTING ARROWS | TREE STANDS | HUNTING BOOTS | HUNTING BACKPACKS | HUNTING RIFLE SCOPES | HUNTING BINOCULARS | LASER RANGEFINDERS | HUNTING HEADLAMPS | TRAIL CAMERAS | HUNTING GPS | BOW SIGHTS | SPOTTING SCOPES | HUNTING BLINDS

Also see: The Family Guide To Air Gun Shooting And Safety.

 

https://www.outsidepursuits.com/best-pistol-crossbows/#ace 

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Pistol Crossbow Reviews

#1 Prophecy Pistol Crossbow

There’s no doubt about it – this is the best bow your money can buy at the moment according to user reviews. Having used this exact bow many times myself, I can say that it is extremely satisfying, fun, and accurate. It’s easy to operate and will make a great target shooter or hunting crossbow for varmints.

Features of the Prophecy Pistol Crossbow:

• Draw weight: 80 lbs 
• Arrows travel speed: 150 feet per second
• The power stroke is 6-4/5” 
• Easy assembly and dis-assembly
• Unique Cobra limb system for easy cocking

 

This lever cocking crossbow has a nearly 7” stroke, drawing 80 pounds using a mechanical lever built into the bow. I like the sights on the bow – it comes with iron sights. It’s also easy to replace the limb (if it ever breaks) and replacement strings are easy enough to find. You’ll want to order an extra string and tons of extra darts as the plastic fletching’s tend to break all too often.

This pistol crossbow comes with a picatinny rail and is available with a red dot sight!

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#2 Kings Archery Pistol Crossbow

Nearly identical to the Prophecy bow we reviewed above, this lever cocking bow features a more prominent brass coloring. If you’re purchasing a hand crossbow for the stealth factor, this shiny yellow metal may be a turn off for you.

Features of the Kings Archery Pistol Crossbow:

• Draw weight: 80 lb
• Easy to use self-cocking mechanism®
• Includes 60 aluminum and PVC arrow bolts 
• Bow is made of durable molded fiberglass
• Self cocking unit provides easy and fast reload
• Includes adjustable sights

One thing that I love about the KingsArchery bow is that it comes with a 60 pack of darts. If that seems like too many, keep in mind that they’re made of PVC (plastic) and will likely break about every other shot. The savvy among you may consider making your own darts out of hollow aluminum and a little handiwork…

While there is no picatinny rail on this one, you do get more darts with your purchase. Plus, both the KingsArchery bow and the Prophecy both sport equal 80-pound draws. Which factor is more important to you?

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#3 PSE Viper SS Handheld Crossbow

PSE is a well-established manufacturer of high end compound bows and full-size crossbows. It’s no surprise to see them entering the handheld crossbow market. They have brought us a 50-pound draw bow that’s a lever cocking piece we would expect.

Features of the PSE Viper SS Handheld Crossbow:

• Draw weight: 50 lbs
• Weight: 1.6 lbs
• Velocity: 215 FPS
• Integrated, simple cocking mechanism
• Auto safety lock & anti-dry Fire trigger
• Finger guard

While similar in appearance to the above bows, there are a few major changes I do like. I’m a fan of the textured foregrip which mostly improves the leverage you’re able to get when loading the bow. I also like the string protectors on the tips of the bow arms. Considering that these hand crossbow strings tend not to last very long, any protection helps!

PSE included a vertical foregrip on this crossbow as well which I think is a big improvement over the traditional style grips on the other bows.

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#4 Rogue River Tactical Pistol Crossbow

This is yet another lever cocking hand crossbow, this time with an 80-pound draw weight again. It’s like the KingsArchery bow in that it features brass components which make it stand out aesthetically.

Features of the Rogue River Tactical Pistol Crossbow:

• Self Cocking Mechanism
• Easy to Re-cock and Load
• 80-pound draw weight
• 160 feet per second velocity
• Solid metal frame
• Includes 15 aluminum arrows w/ metal tips
• Adjustable sight

 

I like the thumb screws on the iron sights. These make it easier to adjust the bow and sight it in as you work with it to dial in the accuracy. Like most of the bows in this category there’s an automatic safety which immediately engages when the bow is loaded.

Essentially identical features to many other bows in this category may make it hard to determine exactly which is the best for you.

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#5 Cobra Pistol Crossbow

If you haven’t already decided that you’ve got enough options in the pistol crossbow arena, we’re going to give you one more to mull over. If it’s not the most affordable bow on our list, then it’s close to it!

Features of the Cobra Pistol Crossbow:

• 80lbs 
• 160 FPS
• Self-cocking
• Free pack of metal arrows
• Plastic crossbow frame
• 6.8″ power stroke

It also comes with 15 arrows, which is the second-best deal we’ve got. PLUS, it’s an 80-pound lever cocking model which is arguably the most effective type of mini crossbow. Overall, I think the sights could be improved, but they’re simple iron sights with a minimal amount of adjustability.

Seen here with an optional Red Dot RD30 Rifle Scope in Matte Black:

Crossbow Cobra 80LB 165fps pistol-Hawke Red Dot

If you’re looking for an 80-pound model with a decent number of darts to get you started, this might be a good contender for you.

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Pistol Crossbows Comparison Table

		Draw Weight (lbs)	Self-Cocking (Y/N)	Vertical Foregrip	Rating
Prophecy Pistol Crossbow		80 lbs	YES	NO	4.1 / 5
Kings Archery Pistol Crossbow		80 lbs	YES	NO	4.0 / 5
PSE Viper SS Handheld Crossbow		50 lbs	NO	YES	4.2 / 5
Rogue River Tactical Pistol Crossbow		80 lbs	YES	NO	3.4 / 5
Cobra Pistol Crossbow		80 lbs	YES	NO	3.9 / 5

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Mini Crossbow Reviews

Technically speaking, mini-crossbows seem to live in a niche of their own. These crossbows usually have a lower draw weight and a simple pull loading method.

#1 ACE Mini Crossbow

If you’re looking for something a bit smaller than our pistol crossbows listed above, this is your jam. Unfortunately, it’s a straight draw and you won’t get the mechanical advantage of the self-cocking pistol crossbows above.

If you struggle with lower hand strength or arthritis you may honestly want to avoid this type of draw method. With this method, you must be capable of directly pulling all 80 pounds of force to cock the bow.

Features of the ACE Mini Crossbow:

• 80 lb. draw weight
• ABS plastic and fiberglass bow
• Adjustable sights
• Includes 5 fiberglass arrows with field tips, bowstring and target
• Shoots 160 FPS up to 40 yards.
• 1.05 lbs

With that one drawback, almost everything else is reminiscent of the pistol crossbows above. The iron sights are easily adjustable with thumb screws.

Like other bows in the category, it self-engages the safety when it’s loaded. This is important because you don’t want a sharp plastic dart firing off unintentionally.

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#2 Snake Eye Tactical Mini Crossbow

With a moderate 50-pound draw, this pistol crossbow somehow manages to pack a whopping 150 feet per second bolt speed. Like most mini crossbows it is a direct draw system but the lower draw weight makes it much more reasonable to draw than the 80-pound models.

Features of the ACE Mini Crossbow:

• 50lb draw weight
• 150 feet per second velocity
• Pistol grip handle
• Includes 15 arrows

I would like to have seen Snake Eye include a more pronounced fore grip. Why? Because it’s easy and painful to catch a finger in the bow string. Never wrap your hand around the bow! That string can do serious or permanent damage if it contacts flesh.

Is mini-crossbow would make a good choice for kids or those with hand problems due to its lower overall draw weight and direct draw method.

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#3 Tactical Crusader Mini Crossbow

Customers seem to review this mini-crossbow as moderate at best. Some come right out of the box with frayed strings, others seem not to last very long in use. It’s no surprise with pistol crossbows or mini-crossbows that the strings must be replaced. Darts get lost and break easily.

It is, however, the absolute least expensive mini-crossbow on our list today. For that reason, we might expect that quality isn’t quite as tight as, say, the Prophecy self-loader at the top of our review list.

Features of the Tactical Crusader Mini Crossbow:

• 50 lb. draw weight
• plastic body
• replacement bowstrings available
• includes 4 arrows
• includes target

Make no mistake, this is not a toy! It will still do damage if used improperly and just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for the kids. This mini-crossbow has the potential to deal out some damage for target practice or varmints.

 

France: Man blows up part of house while chasing fly (BBC) 6 Sept 2020

 

A man has blown up part of his house in France while trying to swat a fly. 

 

The man, who is in his 80s, was about to tuck into his dinner when he became irritated by a fly buzzing around him.

 

He picked up an electric racket designed to kill bugs and start swatting at it - but a gas canister was leaking in his Dordogne home.

 

 

 

A reaction between the racket and the gas caused an explosion, destroying the kitchen and partly damaging the roof of the home in Parcoul-Chenaud village.

 

According to local media, the unnamed man had a lucky escape, sustaining just a burn to the hand.

 

However, the fate of the fly is not known, news outlet Sud-Ouest notes.

 

The man has since checked into a local campsite while his family repair the house. 

 

 

 

Source