Crossbow Review: BearX Constrictor Pro

BearX Crossbows is a relatively young crossbow manufacturer, though parent company Bear Archery has been serving hunters for 90 years and carries the name of its founder, the legendary Fred Bear.

With that kind of experience and tradition behind BearX, we expect good things! The company’s Constrictor has been successful in past years, and for 2023 it has been made even better.

The new Constrictor Pro features a bow assembly built on a stout riser complete with built-in limb pockets, broadhead clearance scoop, dual string stops, rubber-coated foot stirrup and quiver mount. A set of fiberglass split limbs work with the large dual cams to send 400-grain bolts downrange at 400 fps. Separate stock, pistol grip and forearm components mount directly to the machined aluminum rail and provide comfort and control. The trigger box includes an auto-engaged safety, anti-dry fire mechanism, scope mount and bolt-retention device.

Power to the People

Bear is putting power in the hands of the masses by offering a crossbow that generates 400-fps speeds with 400-grain bolts at an attractive price point of only $699.99. The Constrictor Pro’s bow assembly is centered on a stout, compact aluminum riser configured with numerous cutouts to reduce overall weight and bridging and flares to enhance strength and rigidity. Limb pocket bases are machined into the riser and are complemented by machined aluminum limb caps that work with the limb bolts to control the critical limb-to-riser interface. A broadhead clearance scoop, rubber-coated foot stirrup and dual string stops complete the riser package.

The Constrictor Pro’s compression-molded, fiberglass split limbs measure 11 inches long and flare out at the ends to accept the large, machined- aluminum dual cams and rotating cable anchor attached to the axle assembly. The cams feature a reverse-draw configuration, with the string drawn from the side farthest away from the trigger box, to increase the distance it must be moved to get to full draw (power stroke) and boost bolt speed.

Shooter Connection

As the shooter, your main points of interface with the crossbow is the butt stock, cheek piece, pistol grip, trigger and foregrip. Bear makes the Constrictor Pro’s stock, pistol grip and foregrip from lightweight, molded polymer components that are stone colored. The butt stock is outfitted with a BearX logo inlay on either side, as well as a rubber inlay at the rear to enhance shoulder grip. A rubber inlay is also used on the bottom of the pass-through foregrip/safety wing combo component to promote control. The safety wings are intended to keep the shooter's hand and fingers below the flight deck and out of harm’s way. A generously sized trigger guard, designed to accept gloved fingers, is coupled with a contoured pistol grip into a single, molded unit and is attached to the rail just behind the foregrip. The final piece combines an optimally positioned cheek piece for eye alignment and a rope slot for the manual cocking device.

Triggered

A black-anodized, machined-aluminum rail ties the whole rig together as it spans nearly its entire length and serves as the anchor and hub for a majority of the components. The trigger housing is seated and attached at the rear of the rail and is home to two important safety features — an anti-dry fire mechanism that will not allow the bow to be fired without a bolt properly installed, and an auto-engaging trigger safety that must be pushed forward to the “red” position before the trigger can be pulled. A robust scope-mounting rail and a ball-detent-style bolt-retention device round out the package.

What’s in the Box?

The BearX Constrictor Pro crossbow comes with an illuminated, speed-adjustable scope; two BearX TrueX bolts; a 4-bolt, top-mount, adjustable quiver; crossbow sling; rope-cocking sled; rail lube; and string wax.

Range Notes

After spending some time with the Constrictor Pro on the range, I can say this is a no-nonsense hunting rig that will get the job done in the field. I also think it’s a sharp-looking crossbow, as I really like the contrast between the stone-colored polymer components and the black aluminum rail and other black metal components.

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As for shooting performance, our measurements were close to Bear’s advertised specifications, while the integrated pistol grip and foregrips offered plenty of control while aiming and shooting. You really can’t go wrong buying a crossbow of this caliber for a price under $700!

The Specs

• Manufacturer: BearX Crossbows, 800-694-9494; beararchery.com
• Model: Constrictor Pro
• Safety Features: Anti-dry fire mechanism, auto-engaging trigger safety and forestock safety wings
• Cam System: Dual, machined aluminum
• Riser: Compact, black anodized aluminum
• Overall Length: 33.5 inches
• Axle-to-Axle Width: 8.125 inches (cocked); 12.0625 inches (at rest)
• Advertised Weight: 8.2 pounds (crossbow only)
• String: D97, 28 strands, 34.8125 inches
• Cables (x2): D97, 28 strands, 13.25 inches
• Limbs: Compression-molded fiberglass, split
• Draw Weight: 185 pounds
• Power Stroke: 15.5 inches
• Stock/Forearm: Multi-piece, molded polymer
• Finish: Stone, with your choice of True Timber Strata or Veil Whitetail camouflage limbs
• Advertised Speed: 400 fps with a 400-grain bolt
• MSRP: $699.99
• Comments: A bona fide workhorse.

Speed & Energy

• Bolt Speed: 385 fps (420-grain bolt), 359 fps (500-grain bolt), 392 fps (403-grain Mfr. bolt)
• Kinetic Energy: 138.3 ft./lbs. (420-grain bolt), 143.1 ft./lbs. (500-grain bolt), 137.3 ft./lbs. (403-grain Mfr. bolt)

Test Measurements

• Maximum Width: 11.75 inches (cocked); 17.5 inches (at rest)
• Overall Length: 33.5 inches
• Mass Weight: 8.03 pounds (crossbow only); 9.5 pounds (with all accessories)
• Average Trigger Pull: 2.66 pounds
• Length of Pull: 14.5 inches
• Average Shot Noise: 102.47 dBA w/420-grain bolt; 101.07 dBA w/500-grain bolt
• Maximum Shot Deviation at 35 Yards: .75-inch