PSE Fang Review (In-Field) – Compound Crossbow

Model	Draw Weight	Stroke	Velocity	Suggested Arrow Length	Crossbow Length / Weight
PSE Fang Crossbow Check price on Amazon.com	155 lbs.	14.25"	345 FPS Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning	20"	35" / 6 lbs. 7 ozs.

PSE Fang Package Contents

The PSE Fang has everything that you will need to get started shooting your crossbow. Besides the crossbow itself, the Fang arrives with a 4×32 multi-reticle scope, a 5-bolt detachable quiver, and a cocking rope. There are also three 20” carbon arrows and 3 field points as well as a tube of rail lubricant.

Kinetic Energy of the PSE Fang

The PSE Fang actually slings crossbow bolts with quite a bit of force, especially considering its small dimensions. Using a 400-grain test projectile, we saw speeds between 335 and 345 fps, which is going to translate to between 99 and 105 ft. lbs. of force. Adjusting for velocity loss, you are still going to be well into the mid-90 ft. lbs. of force range at a typical 30-yard hunting distance. That really is quite a wallop and will take down just about anything you want to hunt. The Fang is certainly not lacking in punch!

Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Design, Safety, Comfort and Accuracy

The Fang certainly has incorporated some pretty cool features into a crossbow that is priced in what we would call the “Economy Class”. As you first look at the Fang, you are going to notice that it almost has a bullpup configuration where the pistol grip and trigger are placed further forward meaning more of the weight of the crossbow is back against your shoulder. This translates to a more stable firing platform that also doesn’t tire you out when having to keep it in a firing position for longer periods of time. The stock also has an integrated cheek rest to further stabilize your shots.

We were pleasantly surprised to see the dual string stops that come standard…something we would expect to see in crossbows that are several hundred dollars more expensive. The Fang is also a very narrow crossbow, especially when cocked. The forward grip is designed in such a way that it also serves as a thumb guard, keeping thumbs and fingers clear of the rail. The grip is also adjustable as it mounts to an integrated picatinny rail. We think the scope hangs out a bit far forward which could allow it to be knocked out of alignment, but overall it is a good solid design. We did notice that the Fang was quite accurate, so keeping that scope in alignment is critical!

Ballistic Data For The PSE Fang

Your actual results will vary slightly depending on weather, and significantly with arrow weight change. See our Crossbow Ballistics Guides section for a complete understanding of how we conducted our tests and why this data matters.

Hunting with the PSE Fang

The Fang is really one to look at for hunting, especially for those just entering the world of crossbow hunting. Given the velocities we saw, pass-through shots should be no issue. Also, given the moderate weight and the slim design, the Fang is going to allow you to hunt in tighter quarters than some of its larger cousins might allow. Being able to adjust the foregrip position as well as having the cheek rest, you should be able to fill the freezer without much trouble…assuming of course the deer cooperate!

How Quiet is the Fang

The PSE Fang is not the quietest crossbow we have shot, but it is nowhere near the loudest. The string stops certainly help mitigate vibration, but just as with any crossbow, you will want to look into some type of aftermarket suppressors.

Cocking the PSE Fang

The Fang is actually quite easy to cock when using the supplied cocking rope. The rope will basically cut the draw weight in half when cocking so we are talking about bringing that felt draw weight to around 75 lbs. or so. This should be doable by most ladies and even a lot of the kiddos out there. One thing to know is when you go to cock the Fang, the safety needs to be in the ‘fire’ position. Then as the string passes through the safety area, it moves it into the ‘safe’ position and engages the anti-dry-fire system.

Quality of the Optics

Given the price of the Fang, we don’t want to pick on the optics too much. Frankly, this is an optic for a beginner who is going to spend most of their time at the range. We say this as the optic has a somewhat narrow field of view and also has very thin crosshairs. These thin crosshairs are going to be pretty difficult for a lot of folks to see during low-light conditions at the start or end of a day’s hunting. If you are going to be hunting with the Fang, we would recommend you look to upgrade as soon as you are able.

See our detailed guide on how to sight-in your crossbow

What Arrows to use with the Fang?

The arrows that arrive with the Fang are sufficient for a day at the range, but should really be upgraded if you are going to be hunting a lot. Again, given the power of this crossbow and the low price point, we really don’t want to beat PSE up too much. They have put the quality into the crossbow knowing you can easily upgrade the accessories.

You can also learn more about crossbow arrows and take a look at our broadhead recommendations

Overall Thoughts

Overall the PSE Fang is a very powerful and accurate crossbow and is an incredible value for the price. This would be one we would recommend to folks who are just getting started in crossbow hunting as well as to more seasoned hunters who are looking for a more powerful crossbow without spending a ton of money. The Fang is comfortable to shoot and will allow use in fairly tight quarters. If you are going to be using this to bring home dinner, you will likely want to upgrade the optics and bolts, but at this price point, you have lots of wallet left to do that with! Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.