Having been a fan of Bear Archery since the early 1960s, when legendary Fred Bear still ran the company, I was anxious to receive the new BearX Constrictor LT crossbow if only to see how it compared to my old Kodiak Magnum recurve. Apples to oranges, I know, but what I expected to see was a well-made product built with a hunter’s needs in mind.

BearX had me as soon as I opened the shipping box and found a brand new sling laying on top. Talk about catering to the market! As long-time readers of this column know, I’m a big fan of slings when it comes to carrying crossbows to the range and in the field, yet for some reason few companies include that accessory with their crossbow package. Bear Archery is one of very few exceptions. The complete package includes the crossbow, scope, QD quiver, three 22-inch arrows with field tips, lube, cocking sled and sling. MSRP is $679.99.

Assembly of the Constrictor LT would have been a snap, but as is often the case with multi-model owner’s manuals, the instructions were a bit muddied. Installing the limbs to the rail was easy enough by centering the cable slide in its proper slot. That done, it was a simple matter to attach the limbs to the rail. Assembly tip: Use the included plastic extension that fits between the rail and the limbs. Evidently this piece isn’t required for assembling the Constrictor PRO model, but it’s definitely necessary when putting together the Constrictor LT.

I’ll also provide an assembly tip regarding the included three set screws: The Constrictor LT uses two set screws under the rail to install the stirrup and then a third set screw for the riser bolt.

The next step in the assembly project is mounting Bear’s unique and very solid top-mounted quiver. A short, sleeved section of keyed tubing is placed atop a matching piece in the limb assembly on either side of the limbs using an Allen screw that goes down into the pipe to secure it. Then, the quiver mount is attached to the sleeve using another set screw. Thus, the quiver is mounted on top of the crossbow (a rarity) and can be rotated as needed to clear the shooter’s face and the line of fire as desired.

I was able to get the quiver mounted to my satisfaction, and in the end it turned out to be both solid and functional.

The scope was easy enough to mount. Users should be aware that there are no stock or fore-end adjustments on this model, so care should be taken in installing and aligning the scope for your desired eye relief.

Here’s what you need to know to sight in the scope: There are four reticles calibrated in 10-yard increments. Bear Archery recommends sighting in at 10 yards and then moving back to 20 yards and setting the top reticle for that distance, which will put the crossbow on target at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards – more than adequate for whitetails, black bears, hogs and other big game.

The scope is illuminated with red-green options. A battery is included in the package. Also, the scope is designed to be set for various arrow speeds ranging from 250 to 430 fps, more than enough for the Constrictor LT, which is rated at 415 fps using the provided 425-grain TrueX arrows. Different arrow weights, of course, will require making the necessary scope adjustments.

Prospective buyers should note that there are several versions of the Constrictor crossbow shown online with different features, designs and cocking/arrow speed ratings. My reporting here is based on the Constrictor LT model that Bear Archery sent me, its owner’s manual and specifications. Details and results may vary depending on which version finally ends up in the end user’s hands.

As I walked to my backyard archery range, I was pleased to use the provided sling to transport the crossbow, a treat for me because I review a dozen or more crossbows every year and, when possible, hunt with them as well. This means a lot of carrying to and from the range, stands, blinds and hunting areas. A sling is a must, and I thank Bear for including one with the Constrictor LT package.

 

Published Specs

• MANUFACTURER: BearX Crossbows
• MODEL: Constrictor LT
• DRAW WEIGHT:  200 pounds
• POWER STROKE: 17 inches
• ARROW LENGTH: 21.5 inches
• ARROW SPEED: 415 fps (with 425-grain TrueX Max arrows)
• TRIGGER PULL:  Two-stage, zero creep; 3.5 pounds; dry-fire inhibitor
• SIGHTS: Variable (1-5X24mm) illuminated Speed Comp scope included
• COCKING DEVICE: Sled-type cocking rope
• LENGTH: 32 inches (with provided foot stirrup)
• AXLE-TO-AXLE WIDTH: 10 inches when cocked, 14 inches uncocked
• WEIGHT:  7.75 pounds
• OTHER FEATURES: Adjustable three-arrow quiver with QD mount; integrated noise-dampening string stops; carrying sling provided
• MSRP:  $679.99
• CONTACT: www.beararchery.com

 

On the Range

Following Bear’s instructions, I sighted in at 10 yards and was quickly on target. Moving back to the 20-yard line, it took two arrows to achieve dead-center accuracy, and then it was just a matter of one-click tweaking to get similar results at 30, 40 and 50 yards. The longer, 22-inch arrows flew straight and true to the target. Having only three arrows on hand, I was reluctant to shoot for groups because the risk for damage was too high, and for this I’m not complaining. When a crossbow shoots so well that I fear Robin Hoods at 30 and 40 yards, I rate the unit a keeper and shoot only once at each bull’s-eye.

In the process of moving to the roving range, I noticed that the Constrictor LT was indeed lightweight, well-balanced and compact at 32 inches overall. I am a short-armed shooter and am fond of carbine-type firearms, so the Constrictor LT was a perfect match. Sneaking through the woods with the crossbow at the ready was a snap, and accuracy was consistent throughout.

My range session with the Constrictor LT was during a brutal heat wave in the dead of summer, which made seeing some of my targets more difficult, but once I found a hole to shoot through the dense, leafy cover, my arrows landed right on target every time, even on the challenging 50-yard black bear that lurks in the darkest shadows at the end of my range.

Throughout the range process I made sure I lightly lubed the rail once every four or five shots as indicated in the owner’s manual, and I had no issues with loading, trigger function or accuracy.

All things considered, Bear Archery’s Constrictor LT crossbow is an excellent, affordable crossbow that is well-made, solid, accurate and consistently functional even in extreme conditions. I was especially impressed with how well the crossbow balanced in my hands. At times crossbows can feel quite top-heavy, which makes aiming difficult. This isn’t a problem when using a shooting rest, but it’s nice to know that the BearX bow balances well in hand for those times when you want to take a close-range offhand shot.

One note regarding extreme conditions: I left the cocked BearX crossbow outdoors all day in the hot sun at 90-plus degrees and waited till late afternoon to shoot. The arrow flew true to dead center as did several follow-up shots with no mechanical issues to report.

The owner’s manual does suggest that the crossbow not be left cocked for more than 12 hours, which is reasonable for most hunting situations. Also, the Constrictor LT must be unloaded by shooting an arrow or practice bolt into a soft target. It is not designed to be unloaded or decocked by any other method.

If the end user follows the recommended maintenance schedule, keeps the crossbow in a soft or hard case, and gives it the care and protection it deserves, the Constrictor LT should provide many years of dependable service.

For more information, visit www.beararchery.com.

Sidebar: Adjustable QD Quiver

One unique feature of the new BearX Constrictor LT crossbow is its innovative four-arrow quiver. The Constrictor LT’s QD (Quick Detach) quiver is similar in design to most others except it mounts on top of the crossbow and can be rotated 360 degrees to accommodate the needs of the user, whether left-handed or right-handed.

A short, sleeved section of keyed tubing is placed atop a matching piece in the limb assembly on either side of the crossbow limbs using an Allen screw that goes down into the pipe to secure it. The quiver mount is attached to the sleeve using another set screw. Thus, the quiver is mounted on top of the crossbow (a rarity) and it can be rotated as needed to clear the shooter’s face and the line of fire as desired.

The mount is solid and locks permanently in place using the provided Allen wrench. The quiver can be removed from the mount using the convenient QD lever, which locks the quiver solidly in place for travel, roving or still-hunting.

The quiver’s four-arrow capacity gives the shooter the option of carrying three field tip- or broadhead-equipped arrows plus one arrow for unloading at the end of the day.