My String Is Too Short

The Real Reason Your Pistol Crossbow String Does Not Fit (And How to Fix It)

If you have ever unboxed a new pistol crossbow, grabbed the string, and tried to slip it onto the limb tips only to find it far too short, you are not alone. This is one of the most common first-time problems people run into.

The good news is that your string is not too short. You just need to know how to install it properly.

Here is what is really going on and how to fix it.

Why the String Feels Too Short

When you compare the unstrung limbs of your crossbow to the length of the string, it can feel like the string is nowhere near long enough to reach. It might look like it is two or three inches short.

That is completely normal.

Crossbow limbs are designed to be under tension. They need to be flexed into place to fit the string. This tension is what gives your crossbow its power.

If the string fit easily, it would not work properly once strung.

What Not to Do

Before we explain how to string it the right way, here are some things you should avoid:

Do not try to force it by hand. You could hurt yourself or damage the crossbow.
Do not return it just yet. Most people who think they got the wrong string are simply not using the right method.
Do not tie knots or try to lengthen the string yourself. That can make it unsafe to use.

Common Misconception: The String Should Stretch

Some people assume the string should be elastic, but that is not the case.

The string is not supposed to stretch. In fact, almost all of the power in a crossbow shot comes from the flex in the limbs, not the string itself. The string is just a delivery system that transfers energy from the limbs to the bolt. A stretchy string would ruin that transfer of power and make the crossbow dangerous or ineffective.

Can I Just Buy a Longer String?

No. Buying a longer string will not solve the problem, and it will make the crossbow perform badly or even fail.

The apparent shortness of the string is deliberate. It is designed that way to preload tension into the limbs. That tension is where the crossbow gets its strength and speed. If the string were longer and fit easily, the limbs would not flex, and you would lose nearly all of the crossbow’s power.

A longer string also risks dry firing because it might not stay engaged properly with the latch or might not match the draw length of the bow. Always use the correct size string, even if it looks too short at first glance.

How to String a Pistol Crossbow Safely

Most compact crossbows, especially pistol-sized models like the 80-pound Man Kung or Cobra variants, require some assistance to get the string on. The limbs are far too strong to flex by hand alone.

Here are the two recommended ways to do it.

Two Person Method (Recommended)

If you do not have a stringing tool, the safest approach is to do it with another person helping.

One person holds the crossbow upright and braces it firmly.
The second person carefully pushes down on one limb to flex it slightly.
While the limb is flexed, the other person loops the string over the tip.
Repeat for the other side.

This method works well and is often faster than using a tool, but it requires caution and clear communication. Make sure the crossbow is stable and both people are confident in what they are doing. Be mindful of where your fingers are at all times.

Stringing Tool Method (Optional but Useful)

Some crossbows come with a stringer cord, usually a longer and softer string with loops on both ends. If yours did not include one, you can buy a universal pistol crossbow stringer online.

Place the stringer on the limb tips just like a regular string.
Use the cocking mechanism to draw the crossbow back with the stringer in place.
With the limbs now flexed and held by the cocked position, slip the actual bowstring onto the tips.
Carefully release the cocking mechanism so the limbs settle into the proper shape.
Remove the stringer.

This method requires no second person, and it makes stringing easier and safer if you are working alone.

Still Think the String Is Wrong?

If you have tried to put the string on without flexing the limbs or without help, it will always feel too short. That is not a defect. It is just the nature of how crossbows are built.

The answer is never to modify the string or force it into place. You simply need to flex the limbs into the correct position, and that requires either a helping hand or a basic tool.