How to Cock and Decock a Killer Instinct Crossbow

Killer Instinct crossbows are cocked one of two ways, depending on the model and how it shipped:

• Rope cocker - the lightweight, low-cost method that ships with many value and mid-range bows. Hook the two claws evenly on each side of the string, plant your foot in the stirrup, and pull straight up until the string latches. Keeping both hands level is what keeps the string centered.
• DSC Dead Silent Crank - an integrated handle that draws the string with a light, quiet turn. Fold the handle out, crank smoothly until you feel the string latch, then stow the handle. See our full crank and DSC guide for which models include it.

However you cock, the single most important thing is an even, centered draw. If one side of the string latches higher than the other, your scope zero shifts and accuracy suffers. A crank removes that variable, which is why it protects your point of impact shot after shot.

You should always decock before transporting or storing the bow - leaving a crossbow cocked stresses the string and cables and is unsafe. Here are the three accepted methods, safest first:

• Reverse the DSC crank. On DSC-equipped models you can crank the string back down under control without firing a shot. This is the quietest, safest option. Follow the exact reverse procedure in your owner's manual and never let the crank spin free under load.
• Use a Deadstop decocking bolt. Killer Instinct's Deadstop system lets you decock into a captured stop instead of a downrange target - the specialized bolt absorbs the energy so the limbs come down safely. More on this below.
• Fire a practice bolt into a target. If you have neither a reverse crank nor a Deadstop bolt, the fallback is to shoot a field-tipped bolt into a proper crossbow target at close range. Never fire toward the ground or a hard surface.

The Deadstop decocking bolt is Killer Instinct's purpose-built way to unload a bow that doesn't have a reverse-cranking DSC. Instead of sending a bolt downrange, you fire into the Deadstop mechanism, which arrests the bolt and bleeds off the stored energy so the string and limbs return to rest safely.

• The common part reference is the Deadstop decocking bolt (part 1066, with a 1066-1 variant). Confirm the exact part for your model before buying.
• It is not compatible with the SWAT platform - do not use a standard Deadstop bolt on a SWAT model. Check your manual for the correct SWAT decocking procedure.
• Store the Deadstop bolt with your field kit so you are never tempted to dry-fire or improvise. Keep spare parts and hardware on hand for the field.

If you hunt from a treestand or blind where firing a bolt to unload isn't practical, a reverse-cranking DSC or a Deadstop bolt is essential kit rather than a nice-to-have.

Which method fits your setup? This table sums up the trade-offs:

A few recurring issues trip up new Killer Instinct owners:

• Off-center cocking - the most common accuracy killer. If groups wander after re-cocking, check that the string latched level. A rope cocker pulled unevenly is the usual cause; a crank fixes it.
• Anti-dry-fire (ADF) blocks the shot - Killer Instinct's ADF safety won't let the bow fire until a bolt is seated fully against the string. Seat the odd (flat) vane in the rail groove and push the bolt all the way back.
• Stiff or noisy cocking - inspect the rail and string for wear and keep the rail lightly lubricated per the manual. A worn string or cable costs speed even with a perfect draw.
• Leaving it cocked overnight - decock before storage. Prolonged tension shortens string life and can affect limb performance.

For a model-by-model look at cocking effort and which bows include a crank, see our lineup comparison and full reviews.