| Model | Draw Weight | Stroke | Velocity | Suggested Arrow Length | Crossbow Length / Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Darton Fire Force Check price on Amazon.com | 185 lbs. | 17.25" | 400 FPS Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning | 22" | 38" / 8 lbs. 7 ozs. |
| Pros: - Very Fast - Hard Hitting - Good Trigger Cons: - Expensive - A Bit Long | Small Game Hunting? |  |
| Deer, Elk Hunting? | |
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| Moose, Bear Hunting? | |
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| Target Shooting? | |
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| Today's Online Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Also Recommended: | Best Darton Crossbows |
Darton Fire Force Crossbow Package Contents
The Darton Fire Force crossbow is offered in multiple packages, but the two most common are the Hunter and the Pro Package. The Hunter is the more basic of the two, but still comes with just about everything you would need to get started. It includes the crossbow, a 4 x 32mm scope and rings, a BQ4 quiver and four 22” arrows.
Also included are an EZ Draw cocking rope and rail lube. If you step up to the Pro Package, you are going to be getting a 2-7 x 40mm Toxin Hi-Grade Scope and rings, a BQ4 quiver, a quiver side mount and a telescoping mono pod. You will also get an EZ Draw rope cocker and an EZ Draw winch as well as a neoprene sling. Something really nice about the Pro Package is the inclusion of a case for the crossbow. The Pro also comes with the rail lube and four 22” arrows.
Kinetic Energy of the Darton Fire Force
Darton has brought some serious punch to the game with the Fire Force. Any time you start slinging arrows in the 400 fps range, you know you are going to see some serious power. In testing, we saw velocities that were pretty close to 400 fps, depending on the weight we were shooting. The recommended 400-grain projectile, flying at 400 fps, is leaving the muzzle with about 142 ft. lbs. of energy. This translates to plenty of energy for anything up to, and including, a small bear.
Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.Design, Safety, Comfort and Accuracy
The Darton Fire Force isn’t the best selection for a short shooter. At 38” long and with a 17.25” power stroke, cocking this crossbow isn’t going to be easy if you aren’t tall. The length does make it nice when you are shooting, however, as it is easier to steady a longer weapon. The trigger is nice, breaking at just over 3 lbs. and with just a minimum of creep.
The trackless barrel reduces friction and the dual sync cams allow you to actually nock the arrow in the same place on the string shot after shot, improving precision. The string stops are actually part of an integrated suppressor system that includes a patented barrel dampener.
We really liked the new ambidextrous safety that you can now actuate without removing your hand from the grip, much like is found on an AR rifle. The heavy duty quad limbs really deliver in the force department and make for a crossbow with a very reliable feel.
Ballistic Data For The Darton Fire 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 with the Darton Fire Force
The Darton Fire Force is a rather large crossbow, so this may not be your best selection for a small blind or anywhere that you are going to be in tight quarters. It is very accurate though, and has enough power to bring down game at greater ranges than you may be used to.
If you get the upgraded scope, you will like being able to zoom in a bit for longer shots and will also appreciate the larger aperture in low-light hunting situations. The Fire Force is a bit heavy, so keep that in mind depending on how far you have to walk in to your hunting grounds. All in all, it is a very capable hunting platform, you just need to ensure its dimensions don’t limit you.
How Quiet is the Darton Fire Force
The Fire Force is not the quietest crossbow we have tested, but it also isn’t the loudest. The integrated suppressor system and barrel dampener certainly help in this category, but it is just really difficult getting a crossbow with 185 lbs. of draw to release in silence. We think the addition of limb dampeners could help a bit in this regard.
Cocking the Darton Fire Force
This is probably the most difficult category that the Fire Force faces. Given the length and the long power stroke, you really are going to have to pull hard and high to cock it. This is going to be particularly difficult for shorter shooters and you may find you actually have to lift above your head to fully cock the Fire Force. The EZ Draw winch would be a very smart selection for most shooters.
Quality of the Optics
The 4 x 32mm scope included in the Hunter package is certainly capable of putting your arrows on target, but it is what we would consider ‘standard fare’ as far as crossbow scopes go. If you get the Toxin upgrade, you are really going to appreciate the jump in quality. Having a crossbow capable of 100 yard shots without a variable power scope can really limit your capabilities.
You don’t want a scope with too much fixed magnification or low-light shots are going to suffer. Conversely, you don’t want a scope with too low of a magnification or you won’t be able to take full advantage of the longer range capabilities. The 2-7 power magnification of the Toxin is a great blend and the larger 40mm aperture ensures you will have enough light to do the job.
See our detailed guide on how to sight-in your crossbowWhat Arrows to use with the Darton Fire Force
Given the longer dimensions of the Fire Force, it is recommended to use 22” arrows rather than the more standard 20”. The arrows supplied will get you started and are certainly capable of taking most game, but you might want to look at something a little heavier for bigger game.
Don’t be afraid to up the overall grains that you are shooting as the heavy limbs on the Fire Force are still going to push hard. You may even find that you get more punch from a heavier arrow even if it is going a little slower!
You can also learn more about crossbow arrows and take a look at our broadhead recommendationsOverall Thoughts
The Darton Fire Force is not a small crossbow, but it also isn’t a slow one either. Pushing speeds of 400 fps means you are going to be able to hunt just about anything you want, and do it at a greater range that you might be used to. It has a good fit and feel and would certainly be a crossbow that anyone would be proud to own. It certainly isn’t in the “low cost” category, but if your bank account can take the hit, it is very much worth your time to look into. Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.
