Crossbow Authority

Crossbow glossary

What Is Trigger System?

Trigger System: The mechanism that holds the string when cocked and releases it when the trigger is pulled.

By Marisol Vega, Senior Outdoor Equipment Writer & Research Editor. Manufacturer figures vary; check your crossbow's manual.

The trigger system includes the latch or claw that holds the string, the trigger itself, and the safety. Trigger pull weight and feel affect accuracy and are a common point of comparison between models.

Always keep the safety engaged until you are ready to shoot, and keep fingers off the trigger until then.

Why Trigger System matters

The trigger is where you control the shot. A clean, consistent trigger makes it easier to shoot the same way every time, and a poor one can disturb aim.

It is also where safety starts. The safety, the latch and the trigger work together, and understanding them is fundamental to handling a crossbow.

How to read it on a spec sheet

  • Look at trigger pull weight where the manufacturer gives it, and how much travel and creep the trigger has.
  • Confirm how the safety works: automatic on cocking or manual, and how it is engaged.
  • Check whether the crossbow has features that protect against accidental release or dry firing.

Common mistakes

  • Placing a finger on the trigger before you are ready to shoot.
  • Modifying the trigger. Adjustments should be made only as the manufacturer allows.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good trigger pull weight?

It is a matter of preference and use. Lighter triggers can feel crisp but demand discipline; compare how a trigger feels alongside its safety features.

Is the safety automatic?

On many crossbows it engages automatically when cocked. Confirm this in your manual, and always treat the crossbow as loaded.

See it in our reviews

Read more in our guides

Related terms

Definitions are general information. Always follow your crossbow manufacturer's manual, and verify local laws with the relevant authority.