[blackdog7]

It is the flat metal “spring” that holds the arrow down to the rail when you are cocked and loaded with an arrow. I probably shouldn’t have even mentioned this possibility. I had an Excalibur where the spring was real low. And the restringing aid has a cord that is quite thick. When I cranked it up, the cord smashed the spring instead of going under it and staying on the rail. Just crank it up just like you would crank your bowstring, and be sure it goes under the arrow retention spring. You are basically cocking it with the restringing aid instead of your bowstring.

 

[blackdog7]

When you get your stringing aid, you will put it on and then crank it up with your crank. Be very careful as it approaches the arrow retention spring.

I cranked mine on a previous crossbow, and it trashed my spring because the stringing aid cord did not go under the spring. Still not quite sure how I did that.

I have read that others have done the same thing. It is not common I believe, but just something to be aware of as a possibility to avoid.

 

[blackdog7]

i was under impression that i dont need to crank so far that the sliding trigger (and stringing aid) under retention spring goes but only maybe half way between uncocked and fully cocked?

my bad, the retention spring is part of the sliding trigger, sorry.. got it now

You

i was under impression that i dont need to crank so far that the sliding trigger (and stringing aid) under retention spring goes but only maybe half way between uncocked and fully cocked?

my bad, the retention spring is part of the sliding trigger, sorry.. got it now

i suspect you will need to crank it way past half way in order to get a loop of your string off.

Those who have a crossbow using a rope cocker instead of a crank will pull it back all the way and cock it with the restringing aid cord instead of the bowstring.

Also it will help if the restringing aid cord is adjusted to be as short as possible and still get it on.