I am Daryl Dixon’s New Crossbow

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Bill Kasper

When he saw me, he had to have me.
And I don’t blame him. I have made a special effort to be attractive.
I’m no home-wrecker, and I didn’t intend to take anyone else’s place, but we belong together. Let’s face it: My curves are in all the right places, and my split limbs ache to hold Daryl’s bolt any time he wants me.
I am the Stryker Strykezone 380 by Bowtech.

I am Daryl Dixon’s new crossbow.

Michonne found me in Morgan’s weapons cache. I was the only silent, sexy thing in that sniper sausage fest. I’m glad she got me out of there and brought me home to Daryl.

All About Me

So, since I’m sure you’re just dying to know all about me, let me dish some details about myself. First, my measurements:

Draw weight: 160 lbs. (Harder, but not too hard)
Average Bolt speed: 380 feet per second (Faster! FASTER! Yes!)
Length: 34-3/8″. (Good things come in adult-sized packages)
Axle-to-axle length: 19-1/2″ (I’m no skin-and-bones waif)
Weight: 6.9 lbs. (Slender but fit)
Power stroke: 15-1/2″ (yes, that’s as good as it sounds)
Color: Black. (You won’t go back)
Scope: Multi-reticule optical (not a cheap, sloppy red-dot)
Trigger: Creep-free KillSwitch™ trigger, the lightest crossbow trigger on the market before the WA (Walker Apocalypse) with sub-3 lbs. pull weight with less than .015″ of travel before let-off.

I’m fast, easy, and I thrill to the slightest touch. But I am not cheap (an evening with me would set you back about $799, when money meant something). Being pure 100% American made (I’m a Eugene, Oregon gal), I’m not some cheap Asian hussy. I am USA Prime cut.

My soft rubber shoulder pad begs for you to grab me and hold me tight.
My high-quality “Octane” string and cables with precision-engineered cams assure smooth, delicious, intense release every single time you touch me.
My molded stock and aluminum barrel mean you can treat me rough, and I’ll keep coming back for more.

And don’t worry, I always bring my own protection:
My Auto-Flip magnetic safety clicks into the Safe position every time you cock me (tee hee!), drop me (don’t!), or a bolt is removed. My Cease-Fire secondary safety is always ready to stop embarrassing premature release.

So, that’s me in a nutshell. I’m sure you’ve heard other stories about me that are less, shall we say “flattering”. When you’re as hot as I am, and when you’re seen around town and country on Daryl Dixon’s arm, rumors and jealous whispers are bound to arise. Well, let me just get those nasty TMZ-style reports out into the open air and address them.

All My Ex’s Don’t Live in Texas

Some of my ex’s like talking smack about me. I mean, sure, I was a little messed up back then, but I’ve grown up, I’ve changed. I’m better now. But you know how everything on the ‘net is always there and never goes away? Well, there are stories about me back in the old days of 2012 that just don’t mean anything any longer.

Like this from Amazon:

Got delivery of my StrykeZone 380 two weeks ago (Sept. 2012). The accuracy and range was impressive. I was careful to ensure that the arrow was back against the string prior to each shot. However after about 20 shots I noticed that the upper right limb had splintered. Note that these are the black limbs that are supposed to be OK. Per the warranty instructions, I called the nearest Stryker dealer but when he heard that I got the xbow from Amazon he basically told me to get lost. I called Bowtech and they refused to work with me directly. Their only advice was for me to try to find a local dealer who would cooperate. So it is the 2nd day of bow season and I’m stuck with a defective xbow with no current means of resolution. Please be aware that Bowtech is now telling me that their warranty in invalidated if purchased from Amazon.

There was a problem with quality control with my 2012 camo limbs. I admit that. And there is some subtlety to my warranty coverage (we’ll talk about that later). Everyone makes mistakes, right? And there was a transitional problem with the slightly-later manufactured black limbs of the same year. I know that. But I am much better now. I’m a crossbow star who deserves more than a 1 star review, right?

Here, here are some guys who know the new me, the improved me, the purchased-from-an-authorized-dealer (Cabela’s) me who think I’m worth of 5 stars:

Faster and hits harder (December 7, 2012)
I upgraded my Barnett crossbow to this Stryker 380. Its shoots much faster and hits at least two inches deeper into my target. My shoulder really feels the difference carrying it to my stand. Great scope and the slimmer design helps when in my ground blind.

And another:

Amazing Crossbow! (November 30, 2012)
Last summer I was planning on upgrading from my old Horton Hunter crossbow which I had used for last 10+ years. I looked at lots of different crossbows and was thinking of getting a reverse draw, but as soon as I picked this one up and shot it, I knew I liked it better. The trigger is very crisp and light! It is very short from axle to axle and from end to end, since the trigger sits up the rail a little ways instead of right under the firing mechanism like on some other crossbows. I also love that it is light and that the arrow on the shooting rail does not stick out beyond the cocking stirrup, even with a broadhead on. The scope seems to be good quality. It shoots great for me! I have gotten near field point accuracy out to 50 yards with both the fixed blade and the mechanical broadhead that I shoot (haven’t tried any farther yet). I got 2 does and 1 buck with it this year; ranges varied from 20 to 30 yards.

That’s more like it. This man knows how to talk to me. I’ll get down on all fours with that kind of sweet talk…

No, I don’t come standard with a bipod, but you can put one on me if you want to. I like dressing up and role-playing

My Family Tree and Status (It’s Complicated)

Some of the confusion regarding support and warranty issues is due to my somewhat complicated family history.

Stryker is the subsidiary of Bowtech that distributes the Stryker Strykezone product line through their Authorized Dealer channel. You may also see references to Diamond Archery Dealer, another Bowtech subsidiary.

To find your authorized Stryker dealer, you’ll go to Bowtech’s Authorized Dealer page. If there is an Authorized Dealer within 30 miles of where you live, any Stryker bow you buy from that Dealer will come with a non-transferable lifetime warranty (excluding strings, regular wear, and abuse) for you (the original purchaser). You can try “Bowtech in the Boonies” to find a dealer who is further out but still qualifies you for the lifetime warranty (http://www.huntersfriend.com). This is a limited selection and high-priced option, though (http://www.huntersfriend.com/products/archery/crossbows/strykeforce_crossbow.html).

If you have an Authorized Dealer near you, but you chose to buy online from, say, Amazon, your only hope is to find a friendly Dealer as close to you as possible. But it’s totally up to the Dealer how much help you’ll receive, as you have no official Stryker warranty support.

About that “Other” Crossbow

Look, I understand Daryl had a life before me, I know that. But I’m not tied to my own past, and I’m sure not going to dwell on his. I think we have both moved on, and are in different spaces now. We are together now, and that’s all that counts. Just be happy for us, and watch us make a serious dent in the walker population everywhere we show up together.

I am Daryl Dixon’s Crossbow

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Bill Kasper

There are many like me, but I am his.

I am Daryl Dixon’s Horton Scout HD 125 compound crossbow. That may not mean much to you, but just my name tells you a lot about Daryl and a lot about our relationship.

If I was single (i.e not with Daryl), I’d enter the following information on a person/crossbow dating matchmaking site so you could tell if we’d be a good match:

My measurements:

Model Number: CB721 (but everyone calls me “Scout”)
Weatherproof synthetic stock and barrel, MicroFlight™ arrow groove (tight)
Talon™ CUSTOM field-grade trigger with ambidextrous safety (up for anything)
ToughBoy™ wide-body limbs with CamoTuff™ Limb Shield (toned and buff)
Precision aluminum riser, Machined aluminum alloy wheels (I drive fast)
ICAD cable system, Dial-A-Range® trajectory compensator, steel stirrup (kinky)
Draw Weight: 125 lbs, Total weight: 5.5 lbs (zero percent body fat, built for love)
Length: 29 in, Width: 25 in (36, 24, 36)
Power Stroke: 10 1/2 in, Arrow Length: 17 or 20 in (let your imagination run!)
Velocity: 250 fps, Energy: 250 ft lbs (I go all the way, every time)

Extras I bring to the relationship:

25-mm Red Dot Sight, Hunter® Elite Lite 3-arrow quiver (look into my eye)
3 practice arrows, 3 practice points (practice makes perfect)

So that’s me. Well, the boring details anyway. There’s a lot about me that’s subtle, and those little subtleties explains why Daryl takes me everywhere, and we are never apart for more than a moment.

One of the things you may not know about me is that I’m a “youth” model. See, Daryl and I met when he was younger. We fit together better than any other pair-up, and we know each other’s moves so well by now that we’re almost a part of each other. Daryl knows to expect one of my bolts (what he calls my “arrows”, and that always makes me giggle because we both know he knows they’re bolts, but he always says “arrows” just to get a rise out of me) is going to drop about 5 inches for every 10 yards of distance to the target.

There are two styles of crossbow, the “recurve” and the “compound”. The recurve is the simplest type, with just a string stretched between the two ends of the bow. Recurves are easier to maintain in the field, but more difficult to cock since you are fighting the full weight of the string’s pull.

Cheap, slutty recurve that Daryl DIDN’T choose!

Compounds, like moi, employ a pulley system where the string is leveraged using a block-and-tackle cable arrangement to minimize the cocking effort and give maximum speed to the arrow with the least amount of bow energy.

About My “Arrows” (tee hee)

Daryl used to have several of my original Horton Carbon Strike bolts with practice tips:

He even had some broadhead hunting tips which can replace the practice tips, but he never really used them once the Walker plague hit. I think I know why, too.

Broadhead Tips (razor sharp!)

Practice Tips (tough as nails!)

See, broadhead tips are meant to penetrate the flesh of living game (like deer and hogs), and create a significant blood channel so the game animal will bleed out quickly if it doesn’t drop immediately. Well, walkers don’t bleed out, and they don’t even respond to flesh hits. And since my practice tips are considerably stronger and lower maintenance than the razor-blade-edged broadheads, Daryl just uses those.

He’s even made some new bolts from some ash tree limbs he whittled down and chicken feathers he made into “fletchings” at the back of the arrow (tee hee). I don’t know if those will last more than 1 shot, but 1 shot to the head is all it takes, so we’ll see…

Nock Nock, Who’s There?

Green Standard Half-Moon Nock

For improved accuracy, Daryl uses “half moon nocks”. These are the string-contact part of the bolt, and attached to the rear end of each bolt. The half-moon style allows the string to engage the arrow at a very consistent angle, making for very accurate shots. Before everything went to hell, these were made in green, orange, and even illuminated models

I’m All a’Quiver

Since more than one bolt can often be required in a hunting or fighting situation, I have a quick-detach quiver which holds 3 bolts. This is mounted perpendicular to my stock so the arrows are parallel to my limbs.

Daryl giving me a piggy-back ride – see my quiver with 2 arrows?

I Only Have Eyes For You

Sighting a target is done using my illuminated 25mm diameter red dot sight. If you’ve never used a red dot sight, you’re in for a treat. First, you keep both eyes open. Second, select the intensity of the red dot illumination (from 1 to 10) that makes the most sense for your current lighting conditions (evening or night, 1, dusk maybe 3 or 4, daylight, 10). Finally, place the dot where you want the bolt to strike, and squeeze me gently until that moment of sweet release…

This pic is a little fuzzy and the dot is a little arc because Daryl was moving when he shot it, but you get the idea. See the quiver, 2 arrows, cocked string, and limbs?

Our relationship

Daryl and I have known each other since long before the zombie apocalypse. See, that’s why he chose me. Like I said earlier, I’m a “youth” model, with all the power and smarts of a full-size crossbow, but less weight and size. Daryl knew that when you’re hunting for meat to save your life, you feel every ounce you’re carrying out in the field, and every inch of something sticking out makes you that much more likely to snag a branch or otherwise get caught on something.

So I’m everything he wanted, and I give him everything he needs. Sure, there was that one incident in front of Hershel’s barn where he was flirting with that shotgun, but it meant nothing to him. It was a one-time thing, and I know it won’t happen again.

Scout and Daryl, walkers, him, and me, S H O O T I N G

Talking Walking Dead

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