Review: Steambow Stinger 2 “AR-6” repeating mini crossbow

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Austrian company Steambow recently released the Stinger 2 AR-6 pistol crossbow and sent me a review sample. Here's what I found:

  • Street price: $330
  • Weight: 2.6 lbs
  • Length: 22–25 inches (25 with stock extended), 17 inches wide at limbs
  • Magazine capacity: 6 bolts
  • Compatibility: Picatinny rails and AR-15 stocks/furniture
  • Limb power: 55 pounds, firing bolts at 180 feet per second with 5 inches of penetration in ballistic gel at short range
  • Optional “pro” limbs: 90-pound draw, 220 fps, 7-inch penetration (not tested in this review)
  • No legal restrictions or complicated regulations to deal with.

Review summary:

  • I’m glad this product exists and hope to see more focus on the “crossbows for normal people’s prepping” category.
  • Besides being fun, the Stinger makes sense if you can’t or don’t want a firearm but still want to hit targets across a room or yard.
  • Effective range: ~50 feet for self-defense (torso), ~25–30 feet for small game like rabbits.
  • Accuracy is the main limitation. Bolts don’t always fly straight, making long-range shots impractical.
  • Build quality is decent for the price. However, I’d prefer the total cost (including bolts) closer to $300–$325.

Is This a Crossbow Sweet Spot?

I was excited to try the Stinger. Although I don’t have much crossbow experience, I find them mechanically interesting and wanted better answers when people ask about firearm alternatives.

If you can’t or don’t want firearms, the Stinger offers a practical alternative. Without guns, hitting things from a distance becomes harder. You’re limited to close-range tools like knives or traps, which are riskier.

Arrows are the best way to send projectiles far without a gun. But traditional crossbows are often too heavy, hard to cock, and not very accurate. That’s why most people don’t use them — they’re left to Hollywood characters like Daryl or Katniss.

Over the years, some companies have tried to make crossbows more accessible for everyday users. Steambow seems to be doing that with the Stinger 2. It’s a step in the right direction, and I hope more innovation follows.

Ease of Cocking Is the Biggest Difference

One major innovation is how easy it is to cock the Stinger. Traditional crossbows require a separate tool and a specific stance. The Stinger uses a thumb release lever where the stock meets the body, allowing you to fold the device in half.

This motion feels a bit odd at first, but it gets easier with practice. A vertical foregrip is essential for stability during the cocking process. Without it, the motion feels unstable and unreliable.

The manufacturer claims users can fire six shots in four seconds. While possible with training, realistically, one shot every two seconds is more likely. Despite its ease of use, the Stinger sacrifices some power compared to traditional models.

Accuracy and Penetration Are Good Enough for Small Targets

With the standard 55-pound limbs, the Stinger has enough power to penetrate solid wood up to 75 feet. However, accuracy drops significantly beyond 50 feet. At 50 feet, the grouping can be as wide as 12 inches, which isn’t ideal for precision shooting.

For human targets, this is acceptable since the torso is large enough to tolerate some deviation. But for small game like rabbits, the effective range drops to around 25 feet. Accuracy and consistency aren’t great, so it’s not a replacement for a bow or rifle.

Some users found the built-in sights difficult to line up due to the thick frame. Adding an optic, like a red dot, could help improve accuracy. A laser sight is also useful for quick target acquisition in home defense scenarios.

Other Notes

The bolts are well-made for the price. They come in different types: practice, hardened steel, and broadheads. Some bolts were damaged upon impact, so they aren’t designed for repeated use. They’re also easy to lose in the grass.

The overall build quality is decent, though some plastic components feel cheap. If you’ve owned a budget AR-15, this will feel familiar. The device can handle basic drops but isn’t meant for rough handling.

While the Stinger is simple to operate, it’s not easily repairable in the field. Unlike traditional bows, parts aren’t easily replaceable. Once something breaks, the crossbow is essentially useless.

The included vertical foregrip uses a unique retention system that leaves some wobble. I preferred a standard screw for better stability. The magazine spring also bent easily, which could be an issue if not handled carefully.

Overall, the Stinger 2 is a good option for those looking for a compact, easy-to-use crossbow. It’s not perfect, but it fills a niche for people who want a non-firearm alternative for self-defense or light hunting.

Here’s another decent review video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSuumbTj1lE

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