Bows have been long preferred as survival weapons as compared to firearms and guns because they are quieter, lighter, and more versatile and do not require special registration or permits to acquire and use.
Last update on 2023-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Survival Bow
Read on to learn more about these outstanding, adaptable weapons that might one day save your life while you are out in the wilderness, defending yourself or searching for food to live. We have analyzed the greatest survival bows available on the market for 2023 for you.
SAS Recon Folding Survival Bow
As Survival Archery Systems calls it, the Recon is the “bigger brother” of the compact SAS Tactical bow.
This survival bow is the fastest of all deploying compact bows on the market, but it is larger than most other bows too.
It is designed for immediate deployment and thus is not as compact as the Tactical bow.
However, if the size and bow length don’t matter so much to you, the SAS Recon offers exceptionally fast performance without the need for any complicated limb reversals or pin screw removals.
It is available in draw weight sizes of 45 to 55 lbs. and has a bow length of 24.3 inches when strung.
When folded, the SAS Recon collapsible bow is 24.3 inches. It comes in a carry case with adjustable straps.
Keep in mind that it is designed and made for stronger archers and has an arrow speed of up to 200 feet per second for the 50 lbs. draw weight option and up to 210 feet per second for the larger 55 lbs. option.
Pros:
- It offers faster deployment than other bows in this range
- The limb holding brackets and the riser are constructed from aerospace-grade T6 aluminum
- It is foldable and is 24.3 inches when folded
- It comes in different weight options
- It is sold with a warranty and a nifty camo holster with adjustable straps.
Cons:
- It is not as portable as the Tactical, so it won’t fit in standard hunting or another backpack.
SAS Tactical Survival Bow
The SAS Tactical Survival Bow has been designed to easily fit in a backpack and is the smaller version of the Recon Folding Survival Bow, which is another top preferred survival bows and tactical bow.
It has a maximum draw length of 31 inches and can achieve a speed of the arrow of up to 200 feet for the 50 lbs. version and up to 210 feet per second for the 55 lbs. version.
The SAS Tactical is a modern longbow that is 60 inches when strung and only 21 inches long when folded.
The weight is only 2.2 lbs., which makes it the smallest and most compact of all bows on the market.
This compact survival bow comes in two draw weight sizes – 50 and 55 pounds, and in options suitable for left-handed or for right-handed use.
The riser is made of aerospace-grade aluminum, and it has a marine-grade stainless steel retaining pin.
Thanks to its non-reflective coating of the retainer of this compact survival bow, you will remain hidden in a tactical or hunting situation.
The bow is extremely silent, and owing to its clever construction, it unfolds into a fully operational and ready-to-use weapon in a matter of seconds without the need for any equipment, ensuring that you are always prepared to fire.
Survival Archery Systems offers a 12-month warranty for this superb, portable, and highly efficient survival bow.
Pros:
- It is the smallest and most portable of all survival bows
- The aluminum riser is made of T6 aerospace grade aluminum
- It has a marine-grade stainless steel retaining pin
- The riser has an anti-reflective coating to keep you stealth
- It is easy to unfold and fold in seconds
Cons:
- The grip may not be comfortable for some users, who prefer adding larger hand grips for comfortable use.
Southwest Archery Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow Bundle Stringer Tool
The Samick Sage Takedown Bow Bundle is the perfect survival gear set for preppers and survivalists who want to be prepared for any type of emergency situation.
The bundle includes a 62-inch Samick Sage Bow, a stringer tool, and a B-50 bowstring.
You will also receive access to instructional videos and a thank you gift from Southwest Archery if you decide to buy this set.
The survival bow has a maximum draw of 29 inches, but you can add a Southwest Spyder XL if you prefer a longer takedown bow.
The riser is made of clear-coated hard maple wood, which is not only beautiful but is also water and weather-resistant.
The recommended height for the brace is 7.5-8.25 inches.
The high-quality bow comes in 45 and 50 lbs. draw weight options and is backed by a 1-year warranty. The stringer tool comes with a lifetime warranty!
This bow is an exceptional choice for beginners and for survivalists who aren’t interested in making any further modifications.
Pros:
- A beautiful, smooth and comfortable riser
- Clear coating to protect it from sweat, humidity, and rain
- Made of premium quality materials
- A lifetime warranty for the stringer tool and a 1-year warranty for the bow
Cons:
- Some users complain about receiving defective products and sets without the stringer tool included.
Spectre II Compact Take-Down Survival Bow and Arrow
This bow and arrow kit comes in a wide variety of draw weights – from 25 to 55 lbs.
Its draw length varies from 24 to 27 inches, depending on the size you choose. And it has a lightweight of 2.3 lbs.
The Spectre II Take-Down is easy to use in all situations and is made of durable materials.
The limbs are constructed of a resin and fiberglass mixture and are coated in a stealth non-reflective black finish, perfect for hunters and survival situations.
The riser is made of sturdy metal, which adds to the sturdiness of this silent weapon.
It is sold with a compact carry case with a shoulder strap that can fit it when disassembled alongside the included 3 arrows and the string.
Pros:
- It is a shorter bow which is suitable even for newbie archers
- The sturdy resin and fiberglass limbs
- It is coated with a black hidden coating
- The handle and wings are constructed of sturdy metal
- It comes with a carry case for arrow storage, and arrows included
Cons:
- The metal handle can be cold to touch and hold in freezing conditions
Related – Top 10 Throwing Axes & Hatchets
Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow
The Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow is the most selling survival bow on the market for 2023.
It is one of the best bangs for your buck if you are a beginner looking for an affordable recurve bow.
It is reasonably priced and yet of the highest quality with an impressive and beautiful design.
The riser is made of Hard Maple and of laminated Olive Dymondwood, which not only looks great but is very resilient.
The riser is pre-drilled, so you can easily install an arrow rest if you want.
Its limbs will not twist and are made of maple, which is laminated with fiberglass, so they will not cause any hiccups when you need to use the bow in an emergency survival situation.
They are easy to detach with no tools required for easier portability when out in the wilderness.
When in use, the survival bow is exceptionally quiet, which is essential, especially for hunting.
It is also very accurate, especially if you get the right size for your body type and skill level. It has a recommended max draw length of 29 inches.
It is available in draw weights from 25 up to 60 lbs. and comes in left or right-hand orientation options.
Pros:
- Made of excellent quality real wood and other materials
- Quiet performance and accurate shooting
- A very beautiful design
- It is offered in a variety of draw weights
- It is very reasonably priced for the quality and value offered
Cons:
- The string which comes with the bow may be too long for some
What is a survival bow?
A good survival bow has a folding or disassembling design, allowing for easy portability and storage. Also, its limbs and the riser are made of sturdy materials that will withstand a lot of wear and tear and can be relied on in survival situations.
These bows are essential for silent, accurate, and powerful shooting for self-defense or for hunting when out in the wilderness.
Overall, the best bow should be sturdy enough to help you survive in emergencies, as well as allow you to hunt for food when in the wilderness. At the same time, it needs to be compact enough to carry and easy to assemble for use when needed.
The materials used for survival bows
As you can see from our list of the best survival bows, they can be made of different sturdy materials, including premium-quality hardwood like maple or metal like steel and aluminum.
It is essential to choose one made of durable materials if you want to rely on this weapon to save your life when on an outdoor adventure.
Why choose a survival bow instead of a gun?
The biggest advantage of using a bow for hunting and survival is that it is virtually silent, and you can stay hidden from the attacker or from the prey.
Another huge benefit is that you don’t need a registration to purchase and use a bow, unlike guns and pistols.
There are no permits or red tapes required, and you can even purchase one of these excellent survival bows online without hassle.
At the same time, a good-quality bow can be as effective and as lethal as a gun.
The only downside is that it requires a learning curve to learn how to use the bow efficiently and quickly when needed.
The other benefits of using a survival bow
Apart from being a quiet weapon that doesn’t require registration or permits, a survival bow has multiple other advantages as well.
When used correctly, a bow can be deadly and as efficient as using a firearm in situations where self-defense against wild animals is required or when hunting for food in the wilderness.
Additionally, bows’ generally straightforward designs make them simple to assemble and fix while in use.
They are also small and light, which is crucial if you’re hiking and trying to carry as little weight as possible.
A collapsible survival bow’s many parts can also be used for other things while you’re out in nature or in an emergency. For instance, you may use the string as cordage to construct a shelter, construct traps or snares, go fishing with it, or use a bow drill to start a fire with it.
Bowstrings are made to endure a lot of pulling, so they are exceptionally strong and resilient and are usually 4-6 feet in length.
The arrows can also be used as miniature spears for catching fish and even some small game. You can also use the arrows for hunting and self-defense if you attach them on longer shafts.
Another advantage of using a bow is that it is less prone to being stolen than a firearm because many people are not familiar with its usage.
And it is also safer to own a bow than a gun if you have children because small children will not be able to unfold the bow or deploy an arrow, unlike when having a loaded gun at home.
Another advantage is that once you learn how to use the bow, it will be a skill that will remain handy for the rest of your life and can even save your life in emergencies and threatening situations.
Bows can be deadly and quiet weapons, but the damage they do is not as damaging as the collateral damage of a shotgun.
You can use the bow in any position – horizontally or vertically, and you can shoot an arrow without having to stand up into a vertical position in emergencies.
Overall, even though it is one of the oldest weapons in human history, today’s bow is still the ultimate survival weapon.