I hand cock my XR fairly easily unless I'm practicing at my range and going to shoot several shots. I do have the stirrup so that increases the pull height, but makes it more stable and I don't put the bow itself in the dirt. I found cocking it without the stirrup was easier if I was setting on my stool, not so much with the stirrup.

 

My friend shoots one and sold me his RSD crank because he never needed it. He's 72 years old.

 

I find the XR easy to cock, so Sub-1 is even easier.

 

X2

 

Just how easy/difficult is it? Easier than say an Excal 340? The free lunch is rare but I'm curious. There is a dealer close by that has a range so I suppose I could try one there.

Your asking a question that is too "subjective" . So to better convey my "opinion" of rope cocking, i'll comment that i'm 57, 160# , thin build , in decent shape. I can cock / decock my Sub1 XR reasonable twice within say 10 min. After that it's very fatiguing. I'm not a hunter, I target shoot so i'll shoot 25+ arrows within a few hours of time so my only choice is a cocking assist .

 

Your asking a question that is too "subjective" . So to better convey my "opinion" of rope cocking, i'll comment that i'm 160# , thin build , in decent shape. I can cock / decock my Sub1 XR reasonable twice within say 10 min. After that it's very fatiguing. I'm not a hunter, I target shoot so i'll shoot 25+ arrows within a few hours of time so my only choice is a cocking assist .

When I was 23 I could piss over a boxcar, now at 66 I'm lucky to make it past my boots. That's the problem. I just need to get used to it. There is probably not a decent XB out there that I could rope cock over and over...

 

Yes, Same here things aren't as easy as they used to be. I was wondering the same thing on string pull on the Sub 1.

 

The Scorpyd DS lite might be another easy cocker.

 

I cocked a Mission Sub 1 lite at a pro shop today and it was a breeze. They did not have a regular Sub 1 to try.

 

I just turned 70 and went to a crossbow a few years ago due to rotator cuff surgery. I just changed out scopes to the OracleX and sighted it in. Shot at least 30-35 bolts from my Sub1 all cocked with the rope. Not sure how the other Sub1's are but the Sub1 is not an issue. That was a lot of walking! Shot at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yrs. Worth it in the end though as it's a great bow and now I can shoot at first and last light!

 

I think I did pretty good choosing the Ex 340 for my first CB. It is quiet and accurate and has little shock at the shot. Easy to maintain too. The Sub 1 may have been the better choice in retrospect because I find crank cocking a bit annoying and fidgety. Thanks Drewd for sharing.