Review of the best-selling ADDER crossbow

In this article, we will take a detailed look at one of the best-selling recurve crossbows with magazine by the manufacturer Ek-Archery. This is the ADDER model, which translates to viper. This crossbow was released in 2020 and was the last evolutionary number of the Cobra system R series of crossbows. The very first model and its predecessor that kicked off the very popular series was the number R9. The Cobra system R9 crossbow was released in 2019.

The demand for ADDER crossbow was really huge

The developers used several groundbreaking features that shooters immediately registered. The groundbreaking bottom tensioning technology, where the crossbow is cocked by opening and closing the bottom lever. This cocking lever is then firmly secured by a sturdy safety in the pistol grip. It is opened by means of a double-sided safety. Once you unlock the safety, you simply open the crossbow together with the lever "like a pair of scissors". When closed, the string gets caught in the trigger mechanism and the crossbow is cocked. The tension lever forms an integral and unique design of the entire Cobra system R, RX and ADDER series.

Another groundbreaking feature is the quick disassembly of the entire weapon. With pre-integrated pins in the body of the weapon you can quickly put on the limb and stock. Once secured with the pins, the crossbow is solid, really safe and ready to use. This way you can store or transport the weapon better, for example in an Ek-Archery bag.

Last but not least, we would like to mention the limbs, which are the main engine of mechanical weapons. For the Cobra system R series of crossbows, several limbs with different draw weight are available from the manufacturer. The first model, the R9, received limbs with the draw weight of 90 pounds. They were even strengthened by the manufacturer later on and you could easily swap them out for the more powerful 110 lbs limbs. In the second model of the R series crossbows, accurately labeled RX, the draw weight of the limbs is already up to 130 pounds. These limbs also already have string dampeners, which reduce shot noise and extend the life of the string.

Breakthrough type of repeating crossbow

All of this is the basis for the ADDER crossbow. It is a worldwide breakthrough type of crossbow because it is a repeating crossbow. This designation comes from the division of firearms and means that the weapon is multi-shot with a cocking mechanism that "repeats" the loading of the shot. The ADDER crossbow was given a magazine with a capacity of 5 bolts. Its draw weight remained 130 pounds. The bolt velocity is 270 Fps (82 m/s). The performance is surprising, it can be capable of catching anything “smaller".  The magazine uses special carbon bolts with a length of 7.5".

There are enough different bolts of other brands for ADDER crossbows nowadays. For example, even hunting ones with steel tips.

In Europe, the ADDER crossbow is one of the best-selling crossbows ever. Its design is loaded with tactical features and you can equip it with a myriad of accessories such as a red dot sight (included in the factory package), optic, bipod, laser, etc. It has a telescopic adjustable stock, an additional front grip for a better grip. An absolute Boom that doesn't wear off even after a few years, and to this day this crossbow is still offered at almost every dealer. The discovery of the functional magazine mechanism was first made by crossbow enthusiast and lover Jörg Sprave in his review of the R9 model. We will say once again that the ADDER is actually an RX model with a magazine that actually feeds bolts. You can even buy an EK-Archery brand magazine today with a capacity of up to 7 bolts. This magazine also has a factory slot for a Steambow brand laser sight.

If you ever decide to purchase this crossbow, you will not be disappointed. It is an absolute special. A modern crossbow that already resembles a firearm, literally, even in the speed of fire thanks to the magazine. To buy this crossbow, you need to be over 18 years old and legally competent (sui juris).