Excalibur Micro 380 Review 2026

The Excalibur Micro 380 is the fastest-rated recurve on this site, at 380 FPS and 112 ft-lbs in a 33-inch frame, and it has the fullest package. I score it 3.5 out of 5: the figures are strong, but at $799.99–$866.99 it is expensive, stock is thin at major retailers and I could not find independent test data to confirm the speed.

That last point shapes this review. For the Barnett Wildcat CRX, a published chronograph test sits close to the rating. For the Micro 380, every figure below comes from Excalibur's specifications as published by major retailers, and none comes from an independent measurement. So I score it on what the specifications, price and package tell you, and I am cautious in the categories that only testing can settle.

If you are still choosing between limb designs, read compound vs recurve crossbow first. For a framework on what to compare, see how to choose a recurve crossbow.

Excalibur Micro 380 Specifications

These figures come from major retailer listings of Excalibur's specifications. Where listings disagree or are silent, the table says so.

The draw figures need a word of explanation. "Draw effort 140 lbs" appears on two retailer pages, and a US retailer gives "17 lbs with the rope cocking aid". Those cannot both describe the load at your hands. My reading is that 140 lbs is the listed draw weight and 17 lbs is a felt figure with the aid, but I have not seen Excalibur confirm either, so confirm it with Excalibur or a dealer before you buy if cocking effort matters to you.

Is it still sold?

Partly. One major US retailer lists it at $799.99 as clearance and "no longer available", another lists $866.99 for a pre-sighted package, and Canadian and UK retailers show it out of stock. Expect to search for it, and check that the package contents match the list above, since bundles vary by retailer.

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Where the Micro 380 Earns Its Score

• Speed and energy. At 380 FPS rated, it is 75 FPS ahead of the Excalibur Mag Air and 100 FPS ahead of the Wildcat CRX. At equal arrow weights, (380 / 305) squared is about 1.55, so it carries roughly 55 percent more kinetic energy than the Mag Air on paper.
• Compact length. 33 inches overall is the same as the Wildcat CRX and only 2 inches longer than the Mag Air, despite the speed.
• The fullest package here. An illuminated scope with rings, a quiver, four arrows, four field points, suppressors and a rope aid means very little extra spending before you shoot.
• Dry-fire protection. CeaseFire is designed to stop the crossbow from firing without an arrow loaded, which matters on a high-energy recurve. See dry-fire.
• A lifetime warranty. Retailers list a limited lifetime warranty, which is more than the Wildcat CRX's product page states.

Where It Falls Short

• Price. At $799.99–$866.99, it costs about the same as the Mag Air and roughly four times the Wildcat CRX or Avalanche Anaconda.
• Availability. Clearance and out-of-stock listings suggest it is being phased out at some retailers. Buying a model near the end of its run can make spare limbs and strings harder to find later; ask the dealer.
• No independent verification. Unlike the Wildcat CRX, I could not find a readable published chronograph or group test, so the 380 FPS rating is unconfirmed here. Manufacturer FPS ratings are typically set with a light arrow; see FPS.
• Weight. At 6.6 lbs bare and 8.2 lbs with accessories, it is 1.7 lbs heavier bare than the Mag Air and 1.6 lbs heavier than the Anaconda.
• Conflicting cocking figures. The draw-effort numbers on retailer pages do not agree, which makes it hard to judge before you try one.

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Key Features Explained

What does CeaseFire do?

CeaseFire is Excalibur's anti-dry-fire mechanism. Retailers describe it as preventing the crossbow from firing without a loaded arrow. Dry-firing a 112 ft-lb recurve releases all of that stored energy into the limbs and string, so this is a meaningful safeguard rather than a checkbox. It does not replace safe habits; read the trigger system entry and our crossbow safety rules for beginners.

What do the R.E.D.S. suppressors do?

R.E.D.S. suppressors are fitted to reduce shock, vibration and noise at the shot. Fast recurves release a lot of energy through the limbs and string, and dampening is the usual way to tame it. Excalibur publishes no decibel figures, so I score noise at 7.5, below the Mag Air's 8 because of the extra stored energy, and above a recurve with no dedicated suppressors. The glossary covers noise and vibration.

What does the Tact-100 scope give you?

The Tact-100 is an illuminated scope included with 30mm rings. Illumination helps in low light, and a scope suits this crossbow better than a basic dot because 380 FPS gives a flatter trajectory worth using at longer distances. Retailers do not publish magnification or reticle details on the pages I checked, so confirm them if you plan to shoot beyond 40 yards. Our guide on how to choose a crossbow scope explains what to look for.

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Performance: What the Specifications Suggest

Speed and energy

I can only give you the rating: 380 FPS and 112 ft-lbs. Those two numbers are consistent with each other for an arrow of about 350 grains (112 × 450,240 / 380² is roughly 349), which suggests the rating uses a fairly light arrow. With the heavier arrows many hunters use, expect lower speed. Our guide to how fast a crossbow bolt travels explains the relationship.

Accuracy

No independent group data was available, so I score accuracy at 6.5, slightly below the Mag Air and the Wildcat CRX. That reflects missing evidence, not a known weakness. A 380 FPS bolt drops less over distance than one at 280 or 305 FPS, so on paper the Micro 380 should be easier to range at 40 yards and beyond. Whether it groups well depends on the arrows, the scope and your technique, which is why zeroing with the supplied arrows comes first.

Cocking

With a rope aid roughly halving the load, a 140 lb draw comes to about 70 lbs at your hands, close to the Mag Air's 136 lbs. If the 17 lb felt figure on one listing is accurate, the aid is more efficient than a standard rope. Without confirmation, I score ease of cocking at 5: a little better than the Mag Air on the listed draw effort, well behind any crank-equipped compound. See how to cock a crossbow and our guide to draw weight by body size.

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Who the Micro 380 Suits

Best suited to:

• Recurve buyers who want the speed of an entry-level compound without cams
• Hunters, where legal (check your state's regulations), who want a short crossbow with a fuller kit
• Buyers who value a listed lifetime warranty and suppressors in the box

Consider something else if:

• You are working to a budget
• You need it in stock now
• You want independent test data before spending $800 or more
• You want the lightest recurve possible

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Excalibur Micro 380 vs Alternatives

Against the Mag Air. This is the closest comparison: same brand, similar price, similar draw. The Micro 380 is rated 75 FPS faster and comes with suppressors, a scope with rings and four arrows. The Mag Air is 1.7 lbs lighter, has Excalibur's Guardian system and its speed has been confirmed by chronograph. I score the Micro 380 slightly higher, 3.5 against 3.4, because the extra speed costs very little extra money. If carry weight is your priority, the Mag Air is the better choice.

Against the Wildcat CRX. The Micro 380 is 100 FPS faster, lighter to draw by 55 lbs on its listed figure and better equipped. The Wildcat CRX costs about a quarter as much and has published test data. For most budget buyers the Wildcat CRX makes more sense; the Micro 380 is for someone who has decided speed and kit are worth the premium.

Against a compound. At this price you are in compound territory, where crank cocking and higher speeds are common. Compare once with our compound crossbows hub before you buy.

Read nextCompare every recurve on this siteSee the Micro 380 next to the other recurves on one page.

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What's in the Box and What You Still Need

Its 16.5-inch arrows are shorter than the 20-inch arrows common on many crossbows, so do not assume spares from another crossbow will fit. Check Excalibur's arrow length and weight requirements; our guide on how to choose crossbow bolts explains what to match, and bolt length covers the term.

Ownership and Care

With no cams or cables, maintenance is a short routine: wax the string as Excalibur directs, inspect the string, serving and limbs, and store the crossbow uncocked. Because retailers list the model as clearance or out of stock, register the crossbow for the limited lifetime warranty and ask the dealer about replacement strings and limbs. Our crossbow maintenance guide has the routine.

Worked Example: The Cost of Speed

Against the Mag Air at $785, the Micro 380 at $799.99 costs about $15 more for 75 more rated FPS, or 20 cents per FPS. Against the Wildcat CRX at $229.99, it costs about $570 more for 100 more FPS, or about $5.70 per FPS. In other words, if you have already decided on a premium Excalibur recurve, the Micro 380 is the better buy on paper; if you have not, the Wildcat CRX gives you most of the practical shooting for a fraction of the money.

Value for Money

I score value at 5. The package is the most complete of any recurve here, the warranty is listed as lifetime and the speed rating is high. Against that, the price is four times the budget recurves, availability is uncertain and no independent testing backs the numbers. If you can find one in stock at the lower end of the range and want the most speed a recurve offers, it is a reasonable purchase. If not, the Wildcat CRX or the Anaconda will do most of the same jobs for far less.