Pistol Crossbow

[Lightspeed]

I read NR's exasperated reply and my mind was thinking that its all about probability.. and midnight's reply echoed those self same words

But I was thinking differently.

A pistol crossbow may not be a significantly powerful weapon, that's true. But in UK most people are both law abiding and also indoctrinated against firearms. There are very few fire arms per head of population. There are also very few crossbows per head of population.

Raiders entering other people's homes would mostly expect to be confronted by scared residents armed with blunt instruments or knives. Neither the raider nor the resident will be in any hurry to actually engage so armed, as there is a high risk of significant injury. Shouting and posturing would probably be the pre-cursor to actual physical engagement, and that would give the raider a chance to back out and think of another way of getting in. Being confronted by a crossbow of any type in the hands of a confident resident will immediately put that resident in a stronger position. Especially so if they loose off a shot at a raider.

Its about demonstrating to a raider that the resident has the capability and intent to harm him, and the ability to do so at a greater range than he can harm them. Its about making the resident's property less attractive to the raider with the intent of sending him on his way to look for easier pickings.

In this context a pistol crossbow may be viable. Especially so if it is the only range weapon the resident has.