Review: MTech DX130 150lb Crossbow
Feb 23, 2015 1:12:41 GMT
Post by Voltan on Feb 23, 2015 1:12:41 GMT
MTech DX130 150lb Crossbow
by Jason L McEntee
Introduction
Ever since childhood, I've always has a fascination with crossbows as well as swords, thanks to the movie "Hawk The Slayer." When the movie came out in 1980 and I first saw it, I vowed to someday have my own crossbow.
Many moons have since passed. Having owned MTech's DX80 80lb crossbow pistol for six years now, I've been wanting to try one of their 150 pounders for some time. A $100 Christmas bonus from work happened to come at the same time that Big 5 Sporting Goods was having a major sale. Two choices were available within my price range, the DX130 & the DX150. I chose the DX130, as it's styling appealed to me more. It reminded me a little of Voltan's crossbow from Hawk The Slayer...
I have named the weapon after a British death-metal band that I'm quite fond of...it's name, is "Bolt Thrower."
Full Disclosure
I purchased this crossbow with my own money from Big 5 Sporting Goods, for the sale price of $89.99 USD, marked down from $119.99 USD. I do not work for nor am I affiliated in any way with MTech or Big 5 Sporting Goods.
Specs:
Overall Length: 30 & 3/4"
Overall Weight: 5lbs, 8oz
Body Materials: Injection molded plastic body, with aluminum alloy barrel
Limb Material: Dual fiberglass foldable recurve limbs
Limb Width: 30"
Draw Weight: 150lbs
Stroke Length: 10 & 1/4"
Velocity: 210 feet per second
Recommended Bolt Length: 14" to 16"
Sights: Standard iron sights
List Price: $119.99 USD
Sale Price: $89.99 USD
Ease of Assembly
The DX130 was a piece of cake to assemble. The detailed assembly instructions & photos eliminated any guess work, and the provided stringing rope made stringing the weapon an easy task as well. With the provided allen wrench, the only tool I had to provide was a 12mm wrench to secure the limbs. I had it unboxed and fully assembled in less than 10 minutes.
Construction/Durability
The DX130 seems fairly well built and solid. With a plastic body, most of it's weight is carried up front, but I found that made it easier for me to hold it steady. It has standard iron sights, with the rear sight fully adjustable & the forward bead sight having just a horizontal adjustment. The cocking/saftey mechanism works well, with the safety automically engaging when the weapon is cocked. I found the safety switch to be a bit stiff, and skewed outward slightly. I'm a little concerned that the switch could eventually break, but if used with care this should be unlikely. My Dad commented that the rails were on the narrow side, so care should be taken to keep fingers well below the string's travel path.
Sights lined up:
Safety switch:
Trixie inspected (see lower right corner of pic):
Trixie approved:
Functionality
I took the crossbow to my Dad's place to sight it in & test it out. He has both a fake deer target as well as a standard rectangular target. Behind these, his yard has an upward slope, making it safe for those first few missed shots. We sighted it in at 25 yards, not using a bench or a rest, but free handed. Once we got the sights dialed in, we were hitting the six inch center circle on most shots from 25 yards. My Dad's first shot (and first shot ever with a crossbow) landed just an inch right of dead center.
I'm six weeks recovered now from a back strain, so I did not attempt to draw the crossbow without a cocking rope. The cocking rope is said to reduce the draw weight by 50%, and I believe this to be accurate. I was able to thread the rope through the stock for a leverage point, rather than a direct pull. It did take some effort to draw the bow with the stringing tool when I first assembled it. The trigger is somewhat stiff, causing me to shoot high at times, as I had a little trouble getting a smooth squeeze on it.
It's a powerful crossbow, even at only 210 fps. The 14" bolts were burying halfway into the targets, and took effort to remove. Also, my Dad now has a future artifact in his yard, as one of my first missed shots buried completely in the ground...and I do mean completely.
My only real gripe is that I'd like the stock to be a few inches longer. I have long arms, and the shorter stock length was putting my eye a little too close to the rear sight. I may try adding a recoil pad to the butt of the stock to give me a little more room.
Pros:
Easy to assemble
Very accurate from 25 yards
Great price (when on sale)
Unique styling
Cons:
Safety switch & trigger are a little stiff
Stock is a bit short
Lower velocity for a full sized crossbow
Made from cheaper materials
Bottom Line
I wouldn't recommend this as a hunting weapon, as there are so many higher quality & powered crossbows available, such as the line of Excaliburs. However, for target shooting and some great fun, I'd absolutely recommend the DX130 when purchased at the sale price. I'm happy with it---it filled a long vacant spot in my collection desires, and should my home ever fall under siege, it could possibly come in handy...
by Jason L McEntee
Introduction
Ever since childhood, I've always has a fascination with crossbows as well as swords, thanks to the movie "Hawk The Slayer." When the movie came out in 1980 and I first saw it, I vowed to someday have my own crossbow.
Many moons have since passed. Having owned MTech's DX80 80lb crossbow pistol for six years now, I've been wanting to try one of their 150 pounders for some time. A $100 Christmas bonus from work happened to come at the same time that Big 5 Sporting Goods was having a major sale. Two choices were available within my price range, the DX130 & the DX150. I chose the DX130, as it's styling appealed to me more. It reminded me a little of Voltan's crossbow from Hawk The Slayer...
I have named the weapon after a British death-metal band that I'm quite fond of...it's name, is "Bolt Thrower."
Full Disclosure
I purchased this crossbow with my own money from Big 5 Sporting Goods, for the sale price of $89.99 USD, marked down from $119.99 USD. I do not work for nor am I affiliated in any way with MTech or Big 5 Sporting Goods.
Specs:
Overall Length: 30 & 3/4"
Overall Weight: 5lbs, 8oz
Body Materials: Injection molded plastic body, with aluminum alloy barrel
Limb Material: Dual fiberglass foldable recurve limbs
Limb Width: 30"
Draw Weight: 150lbs
Stroke Length: 10 & 1/4"
Velocity: 210 feet per second
Recommended Bolt Length: 14" to 16"
Sights: Standard iron sights
List Price: $119.99 USD
Sale Price: $89.99 USD
Ease of Assembly
The DX130 was a piece of cake to assemble. The detailed assembly instructions & photos eliminated any guess work, and the provided stringing rope made stringing the weapon an easy task as well. With the provided allen wrench, the only tool I had to provide was a 12mm wrench to secure the limbs. I had it unboxed and fully assembled in less than 10 minutes.
Construction/Durability
The DX130 seems fairly well built and solid. With a plastic body, most of it's weight is carried up front, but I found that made it easier for me to hold it steady. It has standard iron sights, with the rear sight fully adjustable & the forward bead sight having just a horizontal adjustment. The cocking/saftey mechanism works well, with the safety automically engaging when the weapon is cocked. I found the safety switch to be a bit stiff, and skewed outward slightly. I'm a little concerned that the switch could eventually break, but if used with care this should be unlikely. My Dad commented that the rails were on the narrow side, so care should be taken to keep fingers well below the string's travel path.
Sights lined up:
Safety switch:
Trixie inspected (see lower right corner of pic):
Trixie approved:
Functionality
I took the crossbow to my Dad's place to sight it in & test it out. He has both a fake deer target as well as a standard rectangular target. Behind these, his yard has an upward slope, making it safe for those first few missed shots. We sighted it in at 25 yards, not using a bench or a rest, but free handed. Once we got the sights dialed in, we were hitting the six inch center circle on most shots from 25 yards. My Dad's first shot (and first shot ever with a crossbow) landed just an inch right of dead center.
I'm six weeks recovered now from a back strain, so I did not attempt to draw the crossbow without a cocking rope. The cocking rope is said to reduce the draw weight by 50%, and I believe this to be accurate. I was able to thread the rope through the stock for a leverage point, rather than a direct pull. It did take some effort to draw the bow with the stringing tool when I first assembled it. The trigger is somewhat stiff, causing me to shoot high at times, as I had a little trouble getting a smooth squeeze on it.
It's a powerful crossbow, even at only 210 fps. The 14" bolts were burying halfway into the targets, and took effort to remove. Also, my Dad now has a future artifact in his yard, as one of my first missed shots buried completely in the ground...and I do mean completely.
My only real gripe is that I'd like the stock to be a few inches longer. I have long arms, and the shorter stock length was putting my eye a little too close to the rear sight. I may try adding a recoil pad to the butt of the stock to give me a little more room.
Pros:
Easy to assemble
Very accurate from 25 yards
Great price (when on sale)
Unique styling
Cons:
Safety switch & trigger are a little stiff
Stock is a bit short
Lower velocity for a full sized crossbow
Made from cheaper materials
Bottom Line
I wouldn't recommend this as a hunting weapon, as there are so many higher quality & powered crossbows available, such as the line of Excaliburs. However, for target shooting and some great fun, I'd absolutely recommend the DX130 when purchased at the sale price. I'm happy with it---it filled a long vacant spot in my collection desires, and should my home ever fall under siege, it could possibly come in handy...
