The highly anticipated Killer Instinct SWAT XP is an ultra-compact crossbow that shoots arrows with a hard-hitting 415 feet per second. The Swat XP changes the game when it comes to broadhead accuracy with Killer Instinct’s patented Accutac Barrel System. The Elite package contains everything you’ll need to use the SWAT XP effectively(it also includes a dead silent crank) and the crossbow comes fully assembled!
The SWAT XP had a 10-year development trajectory. After years of research, design, and testing, Killer Instinct finally released the much-anticipated crossbow. Killer also released three other crossbows this year, the Speed 425, the BOSS 405, and the Burner 415.
Table of Contents
Killer Instinct SWAT XP Crossbow Specs
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Size and Weight
The SWAT XP is really small, the ultra-compact crossbow measures a total length of 27 inches, with a width(axle to axle) of 14.125 inches uncocked, and a mere 9.125 inches cocked.
The crossbow is not lightweight for its size. It tips our scales at 7.2 lbs(barebow.) However, the excellent balance makes the crossbow feels less heavy than its actual weight.
Design and Construction
What immediately stands out is that everything is designed to be in the center of the crossbow, the cams, stoke, trigger, and grip are all in the center of its ultra-compact frame. This centralized balanced design deals with the ‘nose-heavy’ crossbow feel, providing a better balance which helps with control and steadiness when shouldered.
The SWAT XP features an enclosed rail and Killer installed the crossbow with an “extreme rear latching mechanism,” making that long high energy power stroke possible.
Arrows and Speed
This compact little beast of a crossbow is meant for hunting big strong games. Thanks to the draw weight of 200 lbs and a high energy power stroke that utilizes the full length of the bow, the Swat XP shoots bolts with top speeds of 415 feet per second, delivering 153-FT-LB KE knockdown power.
The SWAT XP arrows have a total length of 22 inches and a diameter of 0.346 inches. They have a carbon spine and a total weight of 400 grain with 100 grain field points. These heavyweight arrows have 3.0“ vanes and pre-installed nocks. They deliver maximum penetration and hard-hitting kinetic energy with devastating knock-down power. They are definitely meant to hunt the biggest game out there. The Swat XP comes with a high-quality mountable quiver that can hold a total of five arrows.
Optics
Killer Instinct decided to install the SWAT XP with the 1.5-5×32 IR-E Crossbow Archery scope. This is a high-quality crossbow scope with an easy-to-use speed ring adjustment, it allows the scope to be instantly matched to any crossbow shooting speeds between 270 fps to 450 fps.
The Crossbow Archery scope features Killer Instinct’s KillZone XB100 Reticle. This reticle is optimized for both fast short distance target acquisition and precision long-range accuracy out to 100 yards.
The clarity of the scope is exceptional thanks to the LUMIX optic clarity the scope has a clean field of view. The scope is of course illuminated, it contains micro-adjust red/blue Illumination. The scope is 100 percent waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-resistant.
Cocking
You can cock the crossbow with the DSC Dead Silent Crank. This crank really is dead quiet. The crank handle will attach on either side of the cocker to accommodate left or right-handed shooters. The Crank Cocker is off course removable.
Killer Instinct also included a rope cocker in the package for hunters that prefer cocking a crossbow with a rope cocker. With the rope cocker, you’ll reduce the draw weight by 50%.
The stirrup has a good size to it and it is built at a 90-degree angle, therefore placing a foot on it while cocking is very comfortable.
Trigger and Safety features
Killer Instinct installed the SWAT XP with a 3lbs trigger system. The trigger has a smooth crisp pull with zero creep, it is comparable to triggers with Triggertech! The trigger has an ambidextrous safety switch and auto dry fire.
Assembly and Sighting-in
The SWAT XP comes fully assembled. The 5-arrow high-quality quiver is mounted inline with the enclosed rail. Sighting in the scope was an easy chore, it only took me 5 minutes and a couple of shots.
Performance
The ultra-compact crossbow is very comfortable to hold and easy to handle. It has a good balance thanks to its center-balanced design. The well-known “nose-heavy” crossbow issue is completely negated. Even shooting with one hand is possible with this crossbow!
The Accutac barrel is the defining feature of the SWAT XP. The enclosed 360-degree design provides greater guidance and support, reducing the amount of cross-bolt oscillation and improving high-speed broadhead flight. In this system, the string is also free-floating between the two barrels to reduce serving wear on the string, this significantly extends the duration of the strings life span.
There is a Broadhead Cage at the end of the Accutac barrel that traps the arrow and broadhead within the riser for improved safety and it prevents the arrow from falling off.
We range tested the crossbow with the chronograph we use to speed test all crossbows that pass our review table. With the SWAT XP arrows (400-Grain) that were included in the package, we reached speeds up to 415.2 feet per second. The trigger pull is consistent with zero perceivable creep and the SWAT XP is moderately quiet during shooting.
The crossbow is incredibly accurate and the scope allowed me to be remarkably accurate long-range, even out to 100 yards. We also shot with some broadheads, thanks to the Accutac Barrel System it clearly has unmatched broadhead accuracy, we were very impressed by this.
Verdict
The Swat XP is a great small crossbow from Killer Instinct that packs a punch and is highly accurate with unmatched broadhead accuracy. The crossbow is durable and reliable and well worth its asking price.
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Recommended Accessories
Arrows & Broadheads
I recommend buying a six-pack of 22-inch long Carbon Express’s Piledriver bolts. They weigh and come with inserted moon nocks and six universal nocks.
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There are no practice field points included in the package, but you can buy them separately on Amazon.
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Equip the arrows with some good hunting heads. The Crossbow X Broadhead from Rage is one of the best heads this year, as you can tell by their name they are optimized for crossbow usage.
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Storage and Transportation
Unfortunately, there is no crossbow case included in the Pro package. I recommend buying the Plano Spire crossbow case to properly store and carry the SWAT XP around. It is a good quality Hardcase that fits the crossbow perfectly.
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If you want a shoulder sling with your Swat XP crossbow, I recommend buying a Neoprene crossbow sling from Tenpoint. It has a non-slip design with custom swivels and a heavy-duty adjustable strap.
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Our Rating of the Killer Instinct SWAT XP
Summary
The Killer Instinct SWAT XP is a small, ultra-compact crossbow with outstanding broadhead accuracy, that shoots bolts up to 415 feet per second. Combine that with the dead silent crank system and you’ve got yourself a very efficient stealth crossbow that you can hunt the biggest game with.
The crossbow is very comfortable to handle and it has excellent balance thanks to its centralized design. The scope allows you to be accurate on the fast short-range and long-range out to 100 yards. If you are looking for a small crossbow that still packs a punch, you have found it with the Killer Instinct SWAT XP.
What we like
- Ultra-compact
- Hard-hitting 415 FPS
- Very accurate
- 3.5 lbs trigger with a smooth pull, comparable to triggers with Triggertech!
- The Accutac Barrel System makes sure the SWAT XP produces unmatched broadhead accuracy
What we don’t like
- No official Killer Instinct crossbow case included in the package
- You can only use heavyweight arrows with the crossbow or the upper left limb will snap(at least 440 grain)
