Killer Instinct Crossbows will be releasing the new Swat X-1 crossbow later this summer. The Swat X-1 is Killer Instinct’s flagship crossbow. The Killer Instinct Swat X-1 has many features that will bring a smile to a crossbow hunter’s face. First off, the bow measures 24.75″ long, and 6.25″ wide when cocked. This bow is a joy to hunt with inside a blind or in a tree stand. The Swat X-1 shoots 405 FPS (Feet per Second) and packs 142 pounds of kinetic energy out of the box. The Swat X-1 weighs in at 7.2 pounds. Another great feature is the Accutac Barrel. The arrow is completely enclosed inside 2 extrusions which minimizes Archer’s Paradox and greatly enhances accuracy. Killer Instinct debuted the new Synchronized X Cam system on the X-1 this year. The X Cam has 50% let off for less latch pressure and gives the shooter greater flexibility with respect to the nock style they wish to use. The MSRP of The Killer Instinct Swat X-1 is $1,299.99 for the package.
First Impressions of the Killer Instinct Swat X-1 Crossbow
The Killer Instinct Swat X-1 ships with the Elite Package containing a 1.5-5x32mm Lumix Speed Ring scope that has a reticle with holdovers to 100 yards. I used this scope to harvest a buck and doe in archery season last year. The scope has the choice of red or blue illumination. The Elite Package will ship with three (3) 20″ Hyper bolts and a quick detach quiver. The Elite Package also contains the compact crank system and rope cocker. The compact crank system is a detachable crank that plugs into the rear of the crossbow and stows easily into your pocket when not in use. The compact crank system is the smallest crank system I have ever used. When you pull the bow out of the box, you will notice guards protecting all of the flight deck. Also, with the very narrow 6.25″ axle-to-axle width, most of the string is contained inside the barrel. I really appreciate this design feature, and in my opinion, this bow is one of the safest bows for the shooter on the market.
Loading the Killer Instinct Swat X-1 has a different procedure than most crossbows:
- Cock the crossbow with either the Compact Crank or rope cocker. The Swat X-1 automatically goes on safe when cocked.
- Point the Swat X-1 at an inclined angle and drop the arrow, cock vane up, down the barrel.
- While maintaining the vertical angle, press the red lever at the top of the butt stock forward and allow the arrow to drop into the arrow retainer. You will see it drop approximately a quarter of an inch when the arrow seats. The arrow is now retained in the bow, and when taken off Safe, is ready to fire.
More Size Comparisons
Shooting Impressions
The primary reason I started shooting the Swat line of crossbows is the trigger. The Swat XP and the Swat X-1 share the same trigger box design. The trigger pull is the most rifle-like trigger I have found on a crossbow. The Swat series has almost zero pretravel, and the classic glass rod breaks at about 3 pounds of pull. Most other brands of crossbows have a heavy 2-stage trigger, and personally I really struggle with that style of trigger for precision work.
The Swat series of crossbows are all a barreled design. The Accutac Barrel system mitigates Archers Paradox. All arrows oscillate when fired from a conventional bow design where they are propelled from the rear. If the arrows are not spine indexed, meaning the stiff plane of the arrows are all oriented in the same way, which can lead to inaccuracies and flyers within groups of arrows. The Accutac Barrel limits how much the arrow can flex while accelerating down the barrel. Lessoning of arrow flex allows the Swat series to shoot different weight broadheads to a much closer point of impact. In general, my Swat X-1 is the most accurate bow I have ever shot off of a bench. The Killer Instinct Swat X-1 is truly a Sub-MOA bow with premium arrows.
The Swat X-1 is also one of the more quiet crossbows being offered this year. The Swat X-1 does not require the use of string stops, greatly reducing shock and vibration at the shot. I have received many compliments about the quietness of the Swat X-1 while shooting 3D archery tournaments. The new X Cam also makes the bow dead in the hands to shoot. When shooting the X-1, vibration and movement levels are so low you can watch a clear picture of arrow flight the whole way to the target.
Overall, Killer Instinct has hit a home run with the new Swat X-1. The Swat X-1 will be hitting the dealer shelves late summer, you owe it to yourself to take one for a test drive!
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