By Jon E. Silks
Fast, accurate and compact, the Warhammer is the latest addition to PSE's growing crossbow lineup.
Built on PSE’s proven technologies, unique features and clever configurations, this new rig outperformed its advertising in our testing.
The Warhammer is built on a machined-aluminum rail that ties a rubber-padded buttplate, molded pistol grip and foregrip together and connects them to the riser. A set of X-Technology split limbs works with the dual reverse-draw cams to generate speeds advertised to hit 400 fps with a 400-grain bolt. A 3-pound trigger, auto trigger safety, anti-dry fire mechanism and ambidextrous safety button work together to launch the bolt while maintaining safety.
Structural Advantage The Warhammer is all business from end to end, meaning there is little waste in the structural makeup of this rig. A machined-aluminum rail serves as the rig’s core, supporting all of its major components and providing the flight deck for the bolt.
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The trigger housing sits right at the end of the rail, which is the norm for crossbows. However, with this rig, you find the cheekpiece on top of the trigger housing and the buttplate a mere four inches behind the string anchor point. That means the shooter is right up on the action and wrapped around the power stroke! Such a configuration brings everything in tighter, resulting in a shorter overall length — in the Warhammer’s case, only 29 inches.
Triggering Safety PSE outfits the Warhammer with a 3-pound trigger and several safety features, including an anti-dry fire mechanism that disengages the trigger assembly when a bolt isn’t loaded and a trigger safety that is automatically engaged when the crossbow is cocked. The aluminum trigger housing is home to an ambidextrous safety on/off button, the cheekpiece and a Weaver-style scope-mounting fixture that extends forward beyond the midpoint of the overall length.
Operator Control A shooter touches a crossbow in five key areas: cheekpiece, buttplate, grip, trigger and foregrip. The Warhammer’s cheekpiece measures approximately five inches long and has texturing molded into the top for a positive feel when the shooter positions their head. The fixed-position buttstock is anchored to the back of the rail and features a back plate that is covered with a thick, soft, rubber pad. A sling stud and a flared “leg pad” for additional stability while cocking are also found on the buttstock.
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A traditional pistol grip with finger contours and texturing is molded from a high-impact polymer into a single unit that also includes an oversized trigger guard and safety wings. Immediately forward of the pistol grip unit is a pass-through foregrip that clamps to a tactical rail that also holds a large set of safety wings in place. The safety wings are designed to keep the shooter’s fingers below the flight deck and out of harm’s way.
Power Source The Warhammer features a machined, aircraft-grade aluminum riser that is notably compact and attaches to the rail with a single bolt. A unique foot stirrup is fixed at 90 degrees from the crossbow assembly and serves not only to anchor the rig while cocking but also acts as a bipod and, when coupled with the forward double bumpers, a kickstand. Machined-aluminum limb pockets utilize minimal material to precisely attach the X-Technology split limbs at the critical limb-to-riser interface. Limbs measure 12-inches long and are machined from Gordon Composites blanks. A set of dual, reverse-draw cams ride on hardened stainless-steel axles and sealed bearings. In a reverse-draw configuration, the string stretches across the front of the cams closer to the riser and, when drawn, rotates the cams inward rather than the typical outward motion. This adds length to the power stroke and, in turn, increases speed.
What’s in the Box? The PSE Warhammer comes with an HDV-425 multi-reticle, illuminated scope and lens cloth, three 22-inch Thunderbolt bolts with 100-grain points, a discharge bolt, quiver, crossbow rail lube, cocking sled rope, deluxe neoprene sling and assembly tools.
At the Range The Warhammer has a notably compact overall footprint and can easily be balanced with one hand on the foregrip. I like the unique foot stirrup, as it aids in cocking the rig and makes for a very handy kickstand and shooting platform. I would wrap the stirrup with a quieting material if hunting from a treestand.
I opted for the cocking rope, which takes more effort than the crank aid but I believe it's less cumbersome, more convenient and quicker. The Warhammer throws 420-grain bolts downrange at an impressive 401 fps (our numbers) while boasting a three-shot deviation of only .375-inch at 35 yards. This rig does all the important stuff very well!
The Specs Manufacturer: PSE; psearchery.com Model: Warhammer Safety Features: Anti-Dry Fire, trigger safety, finger guards Riser: Machined aluminum, ultra-compact Cam System: Dual Reverse Draw Axle-to-Axle Width: 10.75 inches (at rest), 6.125 inches (cocked) String: 452 Premium, 31 inches Cables: 452 Premium, 17.5 inches Limbs: Split, Gordon Composites Draw Weight: 245 pounds Power Stroke: 14.5 inches Grip: Pistol, contoured finger grooves, molded polymer Stock/Forearm: Tactical stock, molded pass-through foregrip Overall Length: 29 inches Weight (crossbow only): 7.6 pounds (advertised); 7.5 pounds (as tested) Finish: Black anodized with choice of Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, TrueTimber Strata or black limbs Advertised Speed: 400 fps with a 400-grain bolt MSRP: $1,499.99 Comments: Accurate, fast, compact and well balanced.
