I may be in the market for a crossbow and was just wondering is there any advantage to the recurve type over the compound or visa versa?

Price range is about 500 for the bow.

I've owned both. TenPoint and Excalibur. I sold the TenPoint, although it was a great bow, but I got to thinking that if I were at the lease and a string broke, or cable, or there was a problem that I couldn't take care of, then my hunt would pretty much be over with until I could take it to a shop and put it on a press to get work done on it.

My Excalibur, I can change a string in under 3 minutes and be back in the hunt. Really no other upkeep required, except for what you would do with a regular bow.

Ive never owned either one but Ive always wondered how long the recurve type would last a hunter. I know if you leave a recurve bow strung up for a while it will warp, so what about the shorter crossbow style. My friend bought a crossbow 20 years ago and we couldn't make a target stop the arrows much less buy one. This leading to lost bolts and messed up fletching. It was a 150 pound compound style. I know a friend that has a top of the line compound style right now and I think he has some issues with the string fraying. They are a very violent compact launcher.

Also know a 80 year old man that bought a 900 dollar crank up style ten point. One time he did something that caused the crank to spin and wack is hand. Now I know that had to hurt. I don't like them things. I also don't like the fact that if you go hunting you've got to shoot the bolt out if you don't shoot at an animal. I guess that the best thing to do to preserve your broad head if your brave is to remove the broad head and screw in a field tip while it is still loaded. Not trying to persuade you from buying one. I prefer a bow they seem safer. and easier to keep up with the projectiles. I understand the fast part though.

The wheel models are generally narrower, slightly heavier, need less poundage to achieve same speed, and may be marginally quieter. They are generally harder on string/serving, have extra parts to go wrong, and cost more to maintain/keep going.

Recurves tend to be wider,although this is changing, weigh less, and be more trouble free. As far as warping, Excalibur has kept a bow cocked for over a year and then shot it. Speed was just as a new bow and no problems occurred in further shooting. Bow can be kept strung indefinitely and cocked all day without worries. Recurves can also be easily decocked without having to shoot an arrow.

Not sure why people feel the need to post when they are not answering questions asked. I personally shoot a recurve, and for me, it is the right choice. Your needs/wants may differ.

I figured you could talk me into buying one.

I don't really shoot crossbows, I'm a longbow guy. That being said my BIL gave me an old Barnett recurve crossbow that looks to be all original and it still shoots. I can imagine that the string has been changed at least once before I got it but it's been strung in the basement for 12 years since then with no apparent ill effects.

I got an Excalibur Matrix 380 last fall and love it. I decock it by hand with the cocking string, no problem. I bought a Block target and even at 340+fps it stops the bolts well short of the fletchings, both broadheads and field points. They now have a Micro version that is six inches narrower than the Matrix, would be perfect for small box blinds. I love it and highly recommend Excalibur.

This is the same crossbow I have, and it is bad to the bone. I've shot several deer and some big pigs with it, and it will do a number on them. AS WITH ANY WEAPON, its up to the individual to know and practice safety.

You can change the string in the field with a recurve. There are very few mechanical failure issues with the recurve and less noise. I shoot a Kodabow crossbow, built like a tank.

I have an Excalibur Equinox Lite Stuff and love it. Killed my first buck with it last fall. Not as quiet as some of the newer ones these days but it gets the job done. The new ones are narrower also and should be better in a box blind. The recurve limbs are more forgiving also if you have a misfire or dry fire.

They make special unloader bolts to fire. Just light plastic. You get like 20 per "can". Cheap too.

With an Excalibur recurve style crossbow you can get 2 types of decocking devices that will allow to let the string off of the loaded position. You do not have top fire a bolt into the ground.
You can also take the string off during the off season to take the tension off the limbs.

If I was going to buy a crossbow right now, it would be one of the following, Middleton, Kodabow, or Excalibur. Recurves are easier to perform your own maintenance. I've never seen anyone restring a Cam bow without a press. Keep it simple.