Crossbow Thumb Guard

[Bearkat]

I have a Barnett Quad 400 crossbow. I have seen several pictures of guys getting their thumbs cut off by the string of the crossbow. I am always cautious when shooting that I keep my thumb down, but in the heat of the moment with big buck in my sights, I am afraid I will forget my thumb position. I was looking at the crossbow and had an old Rubbermaid container lid setting on the work bench which gave me an idea. The lip on the lid was the exact same size as the groove on the side of the crossbow. So here is what I came up with. I am sure you could adapt it to other models of crossbows.

Here is the Rubbermaid container lid before it was cut


I cut the lid long ways right next to the ridge with my bandsaw:


I used outdoor double sided tape from Walmart to attach the guard to the crossbow:


This is the guard cut and a test fit:


I cut to length and sanded it down to 440 grit sand paper. I placed the double sided tape on and trimmed before applying paint:



Here is the finished guard:




I haven't had time to shoot with it yet, but don't anticipate any issues, unless the tape doesn't hold up to the vibration. It was a little tight fit after applying the tape. I should have sanded about 1/32" from the height, because it wants to bow up some on the outside edge. Might also consider trimming more off the height in order to place tape on the bottom rail also, but the bottom rail tapers from a wide flange at the back to about 3/16" in the front and even thinner in the middle. If it holds, then it will be better without the bottom strip.

Overall, I think it looks good, lightweight and it doesn't effect the bow fitting in the case. It took about 30 minutes to complete, much less time than than the wait at the emergency room not to mention the loss of a thumb .

[T-Bolt]

That is a great idea!

[Dave_S]

Good Idea !

[dgh]

good thinking dude

[308mx]

My Dad and myself both have this same xbow. I will be mking some of these asap.

[HuntSo.Tx]

Looks good. Me and my dad were talkin about this the other day. It don't make sense to me why the manufacturer wouldn't have these on em anyways

[Killem all]

Nice

[Raypo]

Good Idea, I bet there is some people that wish they had that before they got there thumb chopped off...

[quackaholic1]

Going to borrow your idea for my wifes crossbow. Great idea. Thanks for the great post.

[Silent Assassin]

Awesome job!

[Bearkat]

Hope it will save some thumbs. At about $10 it is cheap insurance.

[Bearkat]

Hope it will save some thumbs. At about $10 to build, it is cheap insurance.

[horns07]

Good idea. I'm going to see if I can do this to the wife's xbow.

[diamond10x]

good idea haha im impressed at the paint job, it almost matches!

[nick123]

Originally Posted by HuntSo.Tx

Looks good. Me and my dad were talkin about this the other day. It don't make sense to me why the manufacturer wouldn't have these on em anyways

Some do
Ten point has plastic guards that snap onto the stock

[ZenDaddy]

Much better than my plan! I figure after I tore my thumb off from letting it ride on top of the bow I wouldn't have to worry about it any more.

[Bearkat]

Originally Posted by ZenDaddy

Much better than my plan! I figure after I tore my thumb off from letting it ride on top of the bow I wouldn't have to worry about it any more.

Well I guess that would work to. I am try to avoid that tactic.

[sharkhunter]

Yep, I think it was on TBH were I read a lady almost cut her thumb off with a x-bow... Ouch!! Great idea!!

[dustoffer]

Bet you'll see a similar design on x-bow stocks in the next year or two--corporate lawyers will force it after a lawsuit or threat of one.

[DorothyNotKeegan]

The last pic about make a person sick...

Good for you to avoid the incident!

[Txbhunter1]

Skinny's wife almost did with my wifes x-bow a few yrs ago. You might try some velcro. It has the real sticky self glue on the back and that would allow you to take it off if needed easily.

[Bearkat]

Originally Posted by Txbhunter1

Skinny's wife almost did with my wifes x-bow a few yrs ago. You might try some velcro. It has the real sticky self glue on the back and that would allow you to take it off if needed easily.

Good idea. May try that if the tape doesn't hold good. My first thought was silicon adhesive, but I was afraid it might mesh up the finish on the xbow. Never thought of Velcro.

[Matt_C]

So you like those phalanges huh? Great low cost idea....

[PflugerB0w]

Great idea.

[hebegb]

Your idea deserves a
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Thanx 4 ur valuable contribution.

[Grizzly1]

Very smart idea...I've seen some nasty thumb pics from crossbow strings.

[texan16]

Heck of an idea, turned out really nice. I am also surprised by the original design from the manufacturer that it doesn't have some type of guard on it. Anyrate, you done good.

[spike1]

Great idea. I love my quad 400

[slayer]

This was the picture posted by Nutterbug here on TBH. IT was a friend of his.

[flywise]

what a great idea

[Master Blaster]

I had my thumb nail ripped off by my Quad 400...It is something that will only happen once!!! Awesome DIY

[Mister Bubba's bulletman]

Patent that.

[Idahobow84]

Trying to get my son into archery and want to get him a crossbow so he can join me but I have always been hesitant because of the finger issue.
But I will have to give this a try.
Thanks for sharing!

[WooleyBooger]

I have been trying to come up with a good idea to do this to my son's xbow...this helps. Good job!

[timNgarland]

not related, but I had to share this?
How does this happen, shaft cut too short???

[Silent Assassin]

Originally Posted by timNgarland

not related, but I had to share this?

How does this happen, shaft cut too short???

More than likely, I reckon.