TriggerTech’s patented Zero-Creep Technology delivers a clean, crisp three-pound trigger pull in the new TenPoint crossbows with a “breaks like glass” feel to help improve accuracy and precision. How it works with new crossbow designs is complex and interesting.
by Brad Fenson
TenPoint has built premium crossbows for over 30 years, and never slows down in their mission to improve designs, components, materials, and crossbow performance. The research and development team continually works to develop new horizontal bows — often five years or more before launch. Every aspect of a new bow is meticulously tested to ensure performance, durability, and quality meet high standards.
Recently, TenPoint partnered with TriggerTech to integrate new designs and features to modernize crossbows and make them more safe, accurate, consistent, compact, and lightweight. To understand how everything works together, we need to look at TenPoint’s engineering breakthroughs and where TriggerTech added value and expertise.
TenPoint
The new TenPoint crossbows to hit the market in 2024 are great examples of engineering feats. This year, the two premium crossbows introduced include the TRX 515 with reverse-draw limbs and the TX 440 with forward-draw limbs. Both bows are extremely fast in their class and have technological advancements in their compact and lightweight design.
To understand the advancements, you need to realize the changes. The TX 440, for example, is fast and compact, shooting an arrow well over 400 feet per second. The bow measures 28 inches in length and a mere 6.5 inches wide when cocked. Genuine compactness occurs with narrow, cocked limbs. Arrows are shot accurately and consistently with little, if any, variance. Testing on the range showed a 0.7 fps variance in five shots.
Part of the new design includes Twin-Riser Technology, which reduces the overall weight of the bow and establishes an exceptionally stable platform. The Twin-Riser Technology is not a minor change. It reduces the weight by 18% and makes the bow 2x stiffer than traditional risers. The measured result is a whopping 70% reduction in riser flex, equating to unbeatable accuracy, even at longer distances.
Trigger, Arrows, Nocks
The TriggerTech trigger in the new TenPoint crossbows was specifically engineered to work with a new design, add safety, and revolutionize arrow containment. The TX 440 and TRX 515 crossbows feature the newly developed custom-built TriggerTech trigger that works with the new TenPoint Zero-Trac barrel and a Guide-Lock arrow rest system. The system creates a sturdy, secure, consistent launch platform for the arrow.
The arrow containment platform is best described as a rail-less system that reduces weight and eliminates arrow and string friction, producing straight nock travel and greater down-range accuracy. A lot is going on, and to understand the role of the trigger, you must first understand how the platform works.
The arrow is supported and aligned on the front end with two “never-wear” spring-loaded ball bearings. A top-mounted retention brush holds the arrow snuggly on the ball bearings. The design is durable and maximizes accuracy at any distance with a stable and consistent capture. With the arrow free-floating without a rail, TenPoint needed to engineer a snap-in nock — the Alpha-Nock HPX — for the CenterPunch arrows. Here, things come together with the trigger as the HPX nock snaps into the TriggerTech trigger box for a solid and confirmed hold. The design of the nock lets you hear and feel a “snap,” letting you know your arrow is properly locked and ready to shoot. A specific nock retention groove snaps into the TriggerTech Trigger box for exact alignment. There is a built-in anti-dryfire inhibitor, and if the nock is not seated properly, the crossbow will not fire.
The only contact points for the arrow are the trigger box, ball bearings, and retention brush. There is no longer a rail to slide the arrow down, and it is easily aligned to snugly rest in place onto the ball bearings. The arrow can be removed effortlessly by grasping the tip and pulling it out of the snap lock. There are unseen advantages to the string not traveling on a track or a rail, which equates to no friction issues or lube needed for the rail and longer string life.
TriggerTech Trigger
The advancements in the TenPoint crossbow designs required a trigger that could enhance the properties and values of the horizontal platform. TenPoint worked with TriggerTech, a Canadian company, to engineer the most advanced trigger in the crossbow industry. The trigger is a custom design that increases the crossbow’s safety and breaks crisp and clean at three pounds. The TriggerTech works so cleanly and smoothly that the crossbow does not move when the trigger breaks. The new solid crossbow platform, united with a custom-built trigger, means consistent accuracy and precision with every shot. The stability is shown at longer distances where accuracy can be maximized and seen.
The crossbow trigger plays a significant role in function and safety as an integral component, controlling 300 pounds of draw weight. Durability and reliability are the basis for safety, locking the arrow nock in place, and launching the arrow when the trigger is engaged. The premium trigger has small components but holds and moves significant energy.
Cocking and De-Cocking
TenPoint has mastered the mechanical cocking and de-cocking system and simplified its use. With changes to the TX 440 and TRX 515, an all-new ACUslide MAXX was developed to provide silent and safe cocking and de-cocking that, again, works with the TriggerTech trigger box.
The ACUslide MAXX Cocking and De-Cocking System increases safety, strength, durability, and stealth during operation. The trigger box is released, allowing it to travel down the barrel to the string, where it is engaged. When the string locks into the trigger box, the safety engages so that it can be cranked back into the cocked position. A release button on the buttstock frees the trigger box to move down the barrel to the string. The cranking handle can be extended to provide more leverage. An arrow can then be nocked.
The cocking mechanism reduces the effort required to cock the bow to a simple seven pounds. A draw weight of 300 pounds would be challenging to cock with a rope device and speaks volumes about the strength and importance of a solid and durable trigger box and system. TenPoint uses Dyneema, which is stronger than steel fabric, to crank the trigger box into place with the ACUslide MAXX. The premium components make the bow an outstanding performer, and the trigger meets the same standards of strength and craftsmanship.
One of the standout safety elements of the ACUslide MAXX is the stability and ease of the cocking crank when in use. Hands can be removed from the crank at any time, the handle stops and locks in place, and the trigger box securely holds the string until the crank is re-engaged. The force on the crank does not make it spin out of control if released. A specialized Auto-Brake Gear System allows for the smooth, consistent, safe cocking and de-cocking.
Modern crossbows no longer need to be shot to de-cock. When the arrow is removed, the user can put forward pressure on the crank and engage the release button on the buttstock. The trigger unit can then be de-cocked with each crank turn to release all limb pressure until the string rests between the cams.
Safety
The cocking system is tied to the trigger box for safety reasons. The system also includes an anti-dryfire inhibitor that can be seen when you seat the nock of your arrow with an indicator lever that turns down to show when the arrow is seated in the correct position. The unique nock-sensing anti-dryfire system designed with TriggerTech requires the nock to be in the right position. A Dryfire Preventer is included in the trigger box to ensure accidental discharge cannot occur. The power in the modern crossbow limbs would cause catastrophic failure if the bow were to be dry-fired.
A built-in bow hook that also acts as a stirrup is integrated into the front end of the bow to securely hold the bow in place while cocking or de-cocking. Stability is vital for safety and ensures the trigger box will be cranked up consistently for shot-after-shot accuracy. The hook lifts the bow off the ground to prevent debris from getting caught in the string or cams when cocking.
A new manual thumb safety is part of the TriggerTech trigger design. It is easy to operate and prevents trigger pull when engaged. The AR-style ambidextrous thumb safety is directly above the trigger and is integrated into the design. The placement and style of the safety allows you to keep both hands on the crossbow and eyes locked on your game when engaging.
Wow Factor
TriggerTech’s Zero-Creep Technology needs to be experienced and appreciated. The premium trigger delivers a clean, crisp three-pound trigger pull with a “breaks like glass” feel. The improved accuracy and precision are hard to ignore and were never thought possible for a crossbow.
The TriggerTech trigger and trigger box are integral in operating the new TenPoint crossbows. There is no preloading, which could cause a trigger to break with virtually no effort. Some triggers preload the roller, and if the trigger is not fully engaged, the roller is held in place without full trigger weight.
The TriggerTech trigger has a “V” notch on the latch and a “V” notch on the sear. The roller sits on the edge, so as soon as the roller rolls off the edge, the trigger breaks. There is no ledge for the roller to travel across, as with a friction trigger where a lot of surface area is required to get a safe let-off with a heavy load. The TriggerTech roller can roll right to the edge and maintain safety in any position. The roller breaks so cleanly that just a touch is required.
TriggerTech offers the Zero Creep trigger for crossbows, bolt action rifles, and ARs. The company specializes in bolt-action rifle triggers, gas-operated rifle triggers, pistol caliber carbine triggers, crossbow triggers, and trigger safeties. For more information, check out the TriggerTech story.
