This all based on my personal experience and I’d thought I’d share.
From personal experience, I have had 3 Barnett’s and 1 PSE Foxfire compound style. All were from the mid to late 80’s.
My first crossbow was of course, the Barnett Commando. I had to have it because it was used in one of the James bond movies. It was 175lb pull and had a self cocking device built in.
My second crossbow was a Barnett Panzer with metal loop cocking device and was 150lb pull.
My third crossbow was the original wooden stocked Wildcat model that I picked up at a local gun show for $50 bucks. (I had to have it because it was the third and final item from the original Barnett catalog in the 80’s and I wanted to have a complete collection). It was also 150lb pull and had no provision for a cocking device. So I actually used to put the stock in my chest and “heave” back on the string to cock it. After about 2 months, that got too tiring I opted for a loose nylon foot loop to aid in cocking it.
All of my Barnett’s were purchased used and in excellent condition and functioned flawlessly.
I shot them in every climate you can imagine, from rain, snow, to hot and humid conditions. I even bought extra prods, strings and hundreds of bolts (which most of them I lost in the woods someplace).
I then experimented with different Prod strengths, by switching the stock 150lb or 175lb with a 120lb and found that the lighter pull seemed to have less strain on the trigger / locking mechanism and allowed for a lighter and smoother trigger pull. The difference in penetration was so slight that I would easily recommend the 120lb for deer sized game with proper shot placement.
One more thing I noticed was that the original Commando 175lb prod shot at around the same trajectory and penetration as the 120lb or 150lb because of the fact that at full draw, the Commando only has a 11” draw length and the bolt actually hung over the front a few inches. As for the Wildcat and Panzer, the bolt actually took up all of the track length and the tip of the bolt was well under the front sight and had no overhang at all. Thus giving a full 14” draw length.
I then wanted further my collection by trying the new “up and coming” compound crossbows. So I broke down and purchased a brand new PSE Foxfire for $200 bucks retail. It was 150lb pull and shot 18” 4 vain arrows with a nock.
Here is my comparison between the two types of crossbows:
The PSE shot VERY fast, flat and smooth compared to the recurve models, but for some reason I didn’t like the arrow rest design which had a little flimsy plastic V style rest that seemed to wear out quickly. Also, the crossbow could not be moved or shaken around too much without the arrow falling off of the rest in full draw. While compared to the Barnett models (which had a solid track and retaining spring to hold the bolt down in virtually any position and seemed much more robust.) Also, the unit was very loud compared to the recurve models.
The Barnett’s shot much “milder” with more of a trajectory and also seemed to hit the target much softer with less penetration, but still seemed adequate for deer sized game.
My personal favorite was and still is (for some strange reason) the wildcat wooden model. I guess for nostalgic reasons.
They all were very accurate between 30 and 40 yards and I actually shot the wildcat so much, that I could hit crows and smaller critters way past the 50 yard mark by using “Kentucky windage”.
I soon was bitten by the “black powder bug” and sold my entire collection for some type of cap and ball revolver or civil war repro muskets, and which is something I regret to this day.
I am still looking on EBay, local pawn shops and gun shows for more used Barnett’s which I will vow to keep this time if I find the right one.
Critters beware when I find one.
