| Model | Draw Weight | Stroke | Velocity | Suggested Arrow Length | Crossbow Length / Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parker Gale Force Check price on Amazon.com | 165 lbs. | 13" | 350 FPS Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning | 20" | 34 - 37.5" / 8 lbs. |
| Pros: - Compact design - EZ-Pull system makes cocking the crossbow a breeze - Adjustable stock Cons: - AR Stock noisy if bumped - Expensive (but barely a con, because it’s worth the price tag) | Small Game Hunting? |  |
| Deer, Elk Hunting? | |
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| Moose, Bear Hunting? | |
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| Target Shooting? | |
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| Also Recommended: | Best Parker Crossbows |
Package Contents
Hi, and thanks for checking in. This time around, we are reviewing the Parker Gale Force Crossbow. The Gale Force features Parker’s Advanced Split Limb Technology, and is ultra-compact. Each package delivered by Parker Bows includes the following items:
- Parker Gale Force Crossbow, including stock and bow assembly
- All assembly hardware and Allen wrench
- Illuminated 3 x 32mm Crossbow Scope
- Rail lube and String Wax
- 6 20” Crossbow Arrows with Field Tips
- 3 Broad Heads
- Rope-cocking device
- Padded sling
- Crossbow soft case
- Embroidered Parker cap
- Instruction Manual
- Warranty Card
Assembling the Crossbow
Assembling the Gale Force is pretty much like any other crossbow. I was able to have mine assembled and ready to shoot in less than 10 minutes. The scope comes pre-mounted, so all you have to do is attach the bow assembly to the stock using the included hardware and Allen wrench, then attach the quiver. If you want, you can also attach the padded sling quickly and easily. Once that is done, you are ready to sight ‘er in!
Accuracy and Power
The Parker Gale Force blasts arrows off the rail at 350 fps, with almost 109 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy. This is a very powerful crossbow, for such a compact design! Once sighted in, I was able to test the crossbow’s accuracy, and I was quite pleased with the results. This crossbow is deadly accurate, as you will see in a moment.
From 20 yards, my grouping was less than half an inch. In fact, my arrows were all close to touching; I am lucky I did not damage any of the arrows! At 40 yards, I was able to maintain a 1” grouping, and I kept that down to 1-1/2” from 60 yards. Even at 60 yards, I had some groups where the arrows were touching in the target. The scope on the Gale Force is sighted in to 70+ yards, but I did not test it from more than 60 yards.
Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.
Ballistic Data For The Parker Gale Force
- Speed Reduction
- Kinetic Energy
- Hunting Requirements
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: What to Expect
Weighing in at 8 lbs., the Gale Force is about the average weight for crossbows. However, it is much narrower than most crossbows, with an axle-to-axle width of only 20.75 inches. The adjustable stock makes the overall length anywhere from 34” to 37.5”, and the power stroke of the crossbow is 13.25”. This crossbow is very nice for moving around inside a small deer stand or ground blind.
The dual string suppressors make a huge difference in the sound output of the crossbow. It is very quiet shooting, when compared to other crossbows. Unfortunately, the AR stock is a bit noisy if you bump it, but you can wrap some electrical tape around it to reduce the noise considerably.
This crossbow is more than powerful enough to take on the largest legal game in North America. I took the Gale Force on a hunting trip for bighorn sheep. Towards the end of our hunt, I finally spotted a ram within 50 yards, and took careful aim on him. When I fired the shot, the arrow was through his side and out the other side faster than I could even tell the arrow had left the rail. He bolted and ran about 70 yards, then fell to the ground and expired.
Cocking the Parker Gale Force
Parker advertises the Gale Force as having 165 lbs. draw weight, but their patented EZ-Pull system reduces the draw effort by about fifty percent. Using a rope-cocking device, the Gale Force is one of the easiest crossbows to cock on the market.
The Crossbow Scope
The illuminated multi-reticle scope is a 3x 32mm scope, and offers excellent light-gathering capabilities. The reticles can be illuminated either red or green, and with five different brightness settings, it is easy to get the illumination to just the perfect level.
Parker bore-sights the scope in the factory, and it only took me three shots to have it perfectly sighted in. Once it was sighted in, the scope held zero through several hunting trips and at least a half-dozen shooting sessions. In fact, I have yet to have to re-sight the scope after six months of usage.
See our detailed guide on how to sight-in your crossbowBolts
The Parker Gale Force ships with 6 20” crossbow arrows with field tips. These are 400-gr arrows, and look very similar to Carbon Express arrows (I think Carbon Express might make them for Parker Bows). The Gale Force, like most Parker crossbows, requires the use of capture nocks to prevent dry fire, so make sure you put capture nocks on your arrows if you use different arrows. Under no circumstances should you use arrows lighter than 400 grain, but I have used 425-gr and 450-gr arrows with little to no performance loss.
You can also learn more about crossbow arrows and take a look at our broadhead recommendationsSafety and Design
The Gale Force features Parker’s G2 Bull-Pup Trigger, which has a very light and smooth trigger pull. The auto-engage ambidextrous safety works flawlessly every time, as does the anti dry-fire mechanism.
The Gale Force has an adjustable vented forearm, which keeps your fingers safely out of harm’s way when firing the crossbow. It also features an adjustable AR-style stock with checkered pistol grip, allowing you to adjust the stock to suit your particular size. A friend of mine’s 10-year-old daughter was able to adjust the stock to fit her perfectly, and she was able to shoot the crossbow like a champ!
Warranty
The Parker Gale Force comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects. Parker’s customer service representatives are very friendly and helpful, and are dedicated to making sure the customer gets the most out of their crossbow purchase.
What Crossbow Case Fits the Parker Gale Force?
The SKB Hunter Series Crossbow Case is an excellent hard case choice and runs about 300 bucks. The Tarantula Deluxe Crossbow Case only runs around 70 bucks for those who prefer soft cases. Keep in mind that the stock on the Parker Gale Force adjusts from 34 to 37.5 inches.
Crossbow Review – Summary
Thanks for reading our crossbow review. Parker’s Gale Force crossbow is an excellent, if expensive, crossbow. Its adjustable stock, though, makes it a good purchase if you might have multiple people shooting it, or just want to buy a good quality crossbow that can grow with your teenage hunter. Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.
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