Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Review 2026

Emptying six arrows in under eight seconds from a crossbow that weighs 2.56 lbs is the headline result from my testing of the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II, and it explains why this compact repeater is worth a look at $145–$165. I rate it 4.4 out of 5 for target practice, plinking and small game, and it is not a big-game crossbow.

The Stinger II is a compact, magazine-fed repeater that holds six arrows and cycles each one with a cocking lever. It costs more than a comparable single-shot pistol crossbow, and the premium buys the repeating mechanism. My standard two-week protocol covered chronographed speed, timed full-magazine strings and accuracy at its rated effective range.

This review covers the price, specs, speed, reliability, the optional Pro limbs, who it suits and how it compares with cheaper and pricier pistol crossbows.

Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Specifications

Here are the specifications for the standard configuration, with the optional Pro limb figures noted separately.

What I Like

The Stinger II earns its rating through speed of cycling and reliability, and these are the strengths I confirmed.

• Speed that matches the claim. I measured 176–184 FPS across five shot strings with the standard 55-lb limbs, close to Steambow's 180 FPS claim for this configuration.
• Rapid follow-up shots. My fastest full-magazine string was emptied in under 8 seconds with a simple cocking-lever motion between shots.
• Light for a repeating mechanism. At 2.56 lbs, it stayed comfortable and maneuverable through extended one-handed sessions.
• An upgrade path. The modular limb system lets owners move to optional 90-lb Pro limbs for more speed and energy without buying a new unit.
• Tight accuracy inside its range. Groups inside the rated 70-foot effective range were consistently tight, which suits target practice and small-game use.

Potential Drawbacks

Every drawback below comes from the same design choices that make the Stinger II quick, so decide which side of the trade-off you are on.

• A price premium for the mechanism. At $145–$165, it costs more than a comparable single-shot pistol crossbow, and buyers are paying for the repeating function.
• Not for big game. The 55-lb standard limbs and resulting kinetic energy are well below big-game hunting minimums. This is a target and small-game tool, not a deer crossbow.
• More moving parts. The magazine and cocking lever have more parts than a single-shot break-action, which means more to inspect and maintain.
• Accuracy falls off past 70 feet. Groups opened up meaningfully beyond the rated effective range, consistent with its short-range design.

Key Features Explained

How does the repeating magazine work?

Most pistol and compact crossbows I have reviewed need a new bolt seated between every shot. The Stinger II's magazine holds six arrows and cycles the next into position with a lever, similar in concept to a lever-action firearm. That removes the main bottleneck in shot-to-shot speed for target practice, plinking and fast follow-up shots on small game.

How fast and reliable is the cycling?

My fastest complete 6-shot string took under 8 seconds, far quicker than reloading a single-shot crossbow six times. Across more than 40 logged cycles, the mechanism never jammed or failed to feed the next arrow.

What do the modular limbs change?

The field-swappable design lets the standard 55-lb limbs be replaced with optional 90-lb Pro limbs, rated at up to 220 FPS and 15.2 ft-lbs of kinetic energy, without replacing the crossbow. Put your own arrow weight and the 176 to 184 FPS I measured into the kinetic energy calculator to see how far below that figure the standard limbs sit. I timed a limb swap at a few minutes with basic tools, so the upgrade path is practical. The standard draw weight is only 55 lbs, which is one reason the cocking-lever motion feels effortless.

How accurate is it inside 70 feet?

Inside 70 feet my groups were consistently tight, well suited to target practice and small game. Beyond that, accuracy dropped off, so this is not a platform to compete with longer power-stroke crossbows at distance.

Performance & Usability

How fast is it in real testing?

The 176–184 FPS I recorded with the standard limbs fits a short-range tool, and groups stayed tight inside the rated 70 feet. Past that distance accuracy declined.

Is it comfortable to hold?

At 2.56 lbs, the Stinger II stayed comfortable one-handed across extended sessions, and the added magazine mechanism did not noticeably raise perceived weight compared with simpler single-shot pistol crossbows I have tested.

Does the mechanism stay reliable?

The lever mechanism did not jam or misfeed across the 40-plus cycles and multiple timed strings, a solid result for a repeating design under sustained rapid use.

How long does setup take?

It ships mostly assembled, and zeroing at 20 feet took about 20 minutes, including time to get familiar with loading the magazine. Load the magazine as directed and cycle each shot with the lever.

Care and storage

Inspect the magazine feed and cocking lever periodically, since this design has more moving parts than a single-shot crossbow; how to maintain a crossbow covers the routine. If you fit the 90-lb Pro limbs, follow Steambow's swap instructions and verify proper seating before firing. At 2.56 lbs and a compact footprint, it fits a small case or backpack pocket.

Who Is the AR-6 Stinger II For?

The Stinger II suits shooters who value cadence over power.

Best suited to:

• Shooters who want rapid follow-up shots without reloading between each one
• Target shooters and plinkers who value shots per minute over single-shot power
• Buyers who want an upgrade path, since the modular limbs let you add power later

Consider something else if:

• You hunt big game, which needs a different class of crossbow
• You want the simplest possible single-shot mechanism

New to crossbows? My compound vs. recurve crossbow guide covers rifle-stock platform fundamentals, crossbow vs compound bow compares the two weapon types, and the pistol crossbows hub lets you compare more compact options. Check your local rules before using any crossbow for small game.

Steambow AR-6 Stinger II vs Alternatives

Prices, speeds and weights below come from each rival's own review file.

The Demun optimizes single-shot reload speed through its break-action, while the Stinger II optimizes total shots per minute with its magazine. The Anaconda is a rifle-stock recurve with a much higher draw weight but no repeating function. The Prophecy 80 also repeats, with a less refined magazine and lower speed, and the Adder is faster but costs more and weighs 7.9 lbs.

What Is in the Box and What Else You Need

The file lists an arrow set, a magazine and the modular limb assembly with the Stinger II. It does not list a sight, case or spare magazine, so confirm the retailer's contents list before you order.

I do not state a price for the Pro limbs or any extras, because the file has none. The price here is the $145–$165 range recorded in this review.

Setup and First Session

1. Read Steambow's instructions for loading the magazine and operating the lever.
2. Load the six arrows as directed and cycle with the lever, then zero at 20 feet before you try anything further out.
3. Shoot inside the rated 70 feet, where my groups were consistently tight.
4. Time yourself only after you can load and cycle without fumbling; a clean string works out to a little over a second per shot.
5. Keep a safe backstop in place before the first cycle.

Ownership and Care

Warranty terms are not in the file, so check them with Steambow or the seller. Because the lever and magazine add moving parts, a short inspection after each session is sensible:

• Check that the magazine feeds smoothly and the lever returns fully.
• Look over the limb mounting after any limb swap.
• Keep it clean and dry, and see how to maintain a crossbow for general care.

Worked Example: Standard Limbs Versus Pro Limbs

Using the file's numbers, the Pro limbs are 90 lbs against 55 lbs, which is 35 lbs more draw weight or about 64 percent more (35 divided by 55 is roughly 0.64). Rated speed rises from 180 FPS to 220 FPS, a gain of 40 FPS, or roughly 22 percent. So the speed gain is smaller than the draw weight gain, and the 90 lb limbs also mean more effort to cock; the cocking effort estimator gives a feel for the difference between 55 and 90 lbs. Ask whether you need that before upgrading, and remember the Pro limbs still sit in a short-range, target and small-game tool. Check local rules before using any crossbow on game.

Who Should Skip the Stinger II

• Big-game hunters, since the standard limbs are well below big-game minimums.
• Buyers who only need one careful shot at a time, because a single-shot pistol crossbow at the same price covers that.
• Anyone who wants the fewest moving parts to maintain.
• Shooters who need accuracy beyond 70 feet.

Value for Money

At $145–$165, the Stinger II costs the same as the Barnett Demun Accu Strike and $50 more than the SAS Prophecy 80, and value scored 6.8/10 because you are paying for the magazine rather than for speed or power. The rule I would apply: if you will shoot strings of several arrows at a session, the magazine is worth the whole price and the Stinger II is the pick. If you take one careful shot at a time, buy the Demun for the same money and get 190 FPS with fewer parts.

If $50 matters more than refinement, the Prophecy 80 repeats for less, with the feed quirks noted in its review. And if what you really want is big-game capability, none of these three is the answer; the Avalanche Anaconda ($219–$239) is the cheapest rifle-stock recurve I have tested with a hunting-class draw weight.

For more power in a repeating pistol crossbow, the EK Archery Adder and the Ballista Bat both run at 270 to 300 FPS; the SAS Prophecy 80 is the cheaper repeater with a less refined magazine.

Where the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II ranks

The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II is discussed in Best Crossbows for Beginners 2026, Crossbow Draw Weight by Body Size, Crossbow Safety Rules for Beginners and How Much Does a Crossbow Cost?. For a direct head-to-head, see Crossbow vs Compound Bow Compared.