Back at SHOT Show last year, there was one booth downstairs that had about ten times more traffic than the others. Being the curious sort, I had to nose my way over and see what was going on.
It was this cool semiauto crossbow that fired these 6-inch bolts. There was even an indoor firing range for it. I signed the waiver, waited my turn, and fired out six shots. I was hooked; it’s about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.
About a month ago, I was fortunate enough to test one of these babies on my own back forty. It didn’t disappoint.
If you’ve ever thought a crossbow was too slow, too bulky, or too much work for the modern warrior, you haven’t met the Steambow M10 Tactical Crossbow yet. This is a slick, 10-round, magazine-fed repeater built with rifle-like attitude and crossbow lethality. The M10 is a small in stature revolution in shooting tools.
What It Is
The M10 Tactical is a repeating crossbow from Steambow’s AR-Series. Unlike classic crossbows, where you lodge a bolt, draw the string manually, aim, and fire—then repeat the painstaking process—it reloads more like an AR platform. Pop in a detachable polymer magazine loaded with bolts, pull the trigger, and the system cycles after you cock it. Two 10-bolt magazines come included, giving you 20 shots before you even think about reloading. That ten-round capacity per magazine nearly doubles the firepower compared with earlier six-bolt crossbows.
The magazine fits standard AR-15/M-4 mag pouches, so if you run a MOLLE or load-out vest, it fits right in with your kit.
Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. I took the above video using slow motion, and you can still barely see the bolt. Note where it impacts. Video by the author.
Specs That Matter
- Weight: 3.97 lbs.
- Draw weight/limb tension: 75 lbs.
- Bolt (arrow) type: 6.2 × 162 mm aluminum bolts (designed for AR-Series)
- Magazine capacity: 10 bolts per magazine; two magazines included.
- Velocity: Around 190–200 feet per second (fps) with the standard 142-grain bolts.
- Muzzle energy: 10.2 ft-lbs.
The ergonomics echo a rifle more than a hunting bow: AR-style adjustable stock with cheek rest, ambidextrous manual safety, textured foregrip with internal storage, and multiple Picatinny rails (top, sides, bottom, under the front unit) for optics, lasers, lights, grips—whatever you need.
Why This Crossbow Kicks Classic Models in the Teeth
Because you’re carrying a pint-sized (24″ long overall) repeater that behaves more like a carbine than a primitive crossbow. For target shooting, pest control, small-game dispatch, or just pure unadulterated fun, the M10 is lightning fast. The 10-bolt magazine means follow-up shots faster than a traditional crossbow could ever manage. The polymer construction is tough but light. The controls and ergonomics are familiar if you’ve ever shouldered an AR-type rifle.
One reviewer described the M10 as “a bit of an action shooter once you get the reloading down.” That’s right, you’re no longer alternating between “draw–aim–fire” and a lengthy reload. You’re firing, swapping out the magazine, and letting it rip again.
What It Means in the Real World
For backyard plinking or range practice, the M10 stands apart because you can keep the trigger finger going while others fumble with stringing and reloading. For small-game or varmint work, 190–200 fps on 142-grain bolts delivers humane kill potential when you’ve practiced your shot. For a survival mindset or a tactical sidecar to a rifle kit, this is the kind of tool that gets you ready faster than a traditional crossbow. It stays compact, light, and wallet-friendly.
It is true that the magazine-loading system requires good bolt seating and some practice to avoid feed issues. However, the benefits of rapid follow-up, compactness, and AR-style handling more than make up for the slight learning curve, especially once you run two loaded mags.
Bottom Line
If you want crossbow firepower without slow reloads, without bulk, without dicking around with stringing after every shot, the Steambow M10 Tactical brings all that and upgrades. Light enough for a backpack, fast enough for serious fun or field work, and cool enough to make you grin every time you load a fresh magazine.
Don’t take my word for it. Gear up and hit the trigger. Get your hands on the Steambow M10 Tactical Crossbow now and roll your own magazine-fed bolt-blasting thunder.
Grab yours for only $399.99 before they vanish — head to Pyramyd AIR now.
