How to Make a Working Crossbow Trigger

Many people enjoy creating their own crossbows.

The trigger of a crossbow is one of its most important components. Crossbows cannot fire without a working trigger, and a faulty trigger can cause misfires and injury. There are various designs for crossbow trigger mechanisms, and determining the right one for your project depends on the type of crossbow you're making. If it's a mock crossbow for a children's toy, then something as simple as a clothespin will work. But for a true functioning crossbow, you must use wood and metalwork.

Things You'll Need

• Crossbow base
• Wood circular cylinder
• Narrow-blade wood saw
• Drill
• Epoxy
• Wood chisel
• Vise
• Two small metal rods
• Metal strips
• Safety glasses

Instructions

1. Chisel out a 1-by-1.5 inch rectangle in the wood crossbow base, to use as a trigger mount.

2. Drill a small hole through the center of the cylinder.

3. Cut notches in the round side of the cylinder, using the narrow blade wood saw. The notch for the bowstring should be slightly above and to the right of the pivot hole. Cut the notch for the trigger release on the bottom of the cylinder -- straight down from the drill hole.

4. Drill a hole through the side of the crossbow stock, and mount the trigger block. The trigger release notch in the cylinder should be facing straight down. Mount one of the hooked metal rods underneath, so the metal hook fits into the trigger release hole.

5. Change the drill bit to 3/16 inch, and drill two holes in all of the 3-inch metal strips. Drill one hole 1/4 inch from one end, and the second one 1 inch down from the first. Both should be in the center of the strip itself. Change drill bits again to 3/8 inch, and drill a third hole 5/8 inch on the other end of the strip. All three holes should be set in the center of each metal piece.

6. Clamp your 5-inch strip of metal using a bench vise. Secure 3/4 inch in the clamp while the rest of the metal sticks out. Bend and form the metal strip until the 3/4 inch sits at a 90-degree angle from the rest, like a capital L.

7. At 1.5 inches back from the 90-degree bend, epoxy a 3/8-inch metal rod to the 5-inch metal strip, and make sure it's perpendicular to the length of the strip. Wait until the epoxy hardens completely.

8. Take the angle end of the 5-inch trigger bar and fit it into the bottom of the trigger block, making sure the 5-inch trigger bar is in proper position to keep the cylinder in place and hold the bowstring. Mount the smaller strips to the crossbow stock using wood screws, making sure they hold the trigger pivot an appropriate distance from the stock. When done properly, this should result in a trigger bar that holds the block in place even when the line is tense.

9. Test fire without a bolt by squeezing the trigger bar up. This should result in releasing the pressure and the bow string releasing freely. Always wear your safety glasses during testing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're a beginner, start with simpler trigger designs before moving to more advanced ones.

• Always wear safety goggles when testing out a crossbow.

References

• Chest of Books: How to Make a Crossbow and Arrow Sling
• Gallery: Crossbow Pictures and Instructions
• The Beckoning: Medieveal Crossbow
• Help Me To: Help Me To Make a Homemade Crossbow
• Pursuing Other Interests: Starting Your Crossbow Building Hobby

Resources

• Crossbows