Mission SUB-1 XR Has Everything You Could Want In A Top-Quality Crossbow
The Mission SUB-1 XR Crossbow is everything a high-end crossbow should be. It’s fast, quiet and has rifle-like accuracy out to 100 yards. This crossbow is top-quality in every regard.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise. Mission Crossbows is part of the Mathews Archery family, the Wisconsin-based company widely known for its excellent compound bows.
This Crossbow Is Fast And Accurate
The company lists the speed of this crossbow at 410 feet per second. In my tests, firing bolts across a Caldwell chronograph, the crossbow averaged 419 feet per second. That’s pretty fast.
The “SUB-1” in the Mission SUB-1XR Crossbow name refers to the company’s claim that you can shoot one-inch groups with this crossbow at 100 yards. That was once the standard for a hunting rifle.
My three-shot groups were about two inches at that range.
Given more time with this crossbow, however, I have no doubts I could shrink those groups. Whitetail deer beware.
Mission lists the trigger pull at three pounds. You can’t dry-fire the bow and I didn’t want to play around with my trigger pull gauge on a loaded crossbow.
So, I didn’t measure it myself. It was an excellent trigger pull, however.
Mission SUB-1 XR Crossbow Features
The Mission SUB-1 SR weighs 7.6 pounds. It’s not a lightweight. But it’s a very stable platform from which to shoot. It measures 30.5 inches long overall and just 9.1 inches axle to axle when cocked.
The stock is adjustable for both comb height and length of pull. It’s the most comfortable crossbow I’ve shot. Adjust it to your liking and you might say the same.
The crossbow features Mission’s Back Out System (BOS) that lets you adjust the bow limbs without the need of a bow press.
The cams are fully synchronized to prevent horizontal nock movement upon firing. That enhances accuracy.
There is a built-in level within view up front. A glance at that before you fire can ensure you’re not canting the bow one way or another, which could throw the shot off target.
An arrow retention finger keeps the bolt in place without being a hindrance to speed or accuracy.
Mission SUB-1 XR Crossbow With Pro Kit
On opening the box, I found not only the SUB-1 XR crossbow, but the Pro Kit.
That kit includes a Hawke XP-1 1.5-5-power scope with dual (red and green) illuminated reticle; three-arrow quiver; three 19-inch carbon fiber bolts; rail lube; cocking rope; and a very nice soft-sided carry case for the crossbow and its accessories.
The three-arrow quiver attaches to the underside of the bow with a twist. And it’s that easy to remove.
Cocking This Crossbow Is Very Easy
You have two options in cocking this crossbow. Both are very easy.
There’s an included rope cocker that, together with the bow’s 80 percent let-off, should be no problem for most people.
Mission also offers its Removable Silent Draw (RSD), a hand-crank reel that lets you cock the bow with minimal effort. It mounts under the stock with a quick-detach lever.
 This crossbow features the company’s Benchmark Fire Control system. On cocking the crossbow, the safety engages automatically.
It can’t be fired without an arrow in place. The round bar safety extends from both sides of the fire control unit, making it ambidextrous.
The system also allows for smooth, easy de-cocking.
The SUB-1 XR Is Fun To Shoot
The dimensions of the crossbow and the ability to adjust it, make it a comfortable bow to shoot. Having the bolts hit where you’re aiming with little effort makes it fun too.
Getting the Hawke scope properly adjusted was a simple matter. First, you rotate the speed dial on the scope to match the speed of the bow.
Shoot the bow at 20 yards first and make minor adjustments for windage and elevation. That’s it.
The first time out with it, my son and I had it shooting on target very quickly. We kept backing up 15 to 20 yards at a time until we reached out to 75 yards and were still on target.
The Hawke Scope Makes A Big Difference.
That Hawke Scope has elevation lines in the reticle.
If you know the approximate distance to your target, you sight along the appropriate line and it’s hard to miss.
The reticle is illuminated. Set it for either red or green light and select the brightness level.
It’s a helpful feature no matter what lighting conditions you’re facing.
Pricey, But You Get What You Pay For
The MSRP for the Mission SUB-1XR Crossbow is $1,699.99. Add in the Pro Kit at $199.99 and, if you want, the RSD hand-crank cocker at $189.99 and you have a substantial investment.
Plan on keeping this crossbow for a lifetime. You don’t need to be an experienced archer to learn to use this crossbow. With the adjustable stock and optional RSD cocker, anyone in the family can use it.
There’s no recoil. Shooting a crossbow is quiet. And you can use the bolts over and over.Because of the speed and accuracy of this crossbow, you can extend your reach in hunting situations far beyond your capabilities with a recurve, compound or long bow.
For more information on the Mission SUB-1 XR, go to MissionCrossbows.com.
Key Features: Mission SUB-1 XR
Speed: Up to 410 fps
Overall Weight: 7.6 pounds
Overall Length: 30.5 inches
Axle-to-Axle Width: 9.1 inches cocked, 12.5 inches uncocked
Power Stroke: 14.625 inches
Trigger Pull: 3.0 pounds
Let-Off: 80 percent
Optics: Hawke 1-5x scope with green and red illuminated reticle
MSRP: $1,699.99
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.