Wicked Ridge Crossbows​

Wicked Ridge Crossbows​ . Certain manufacturers in the archery industry never fail to produce. Each year, they unleash one or more marvels that excite, inspire, and help make hunters’ hopes a reality.

TenPoint Crossbow Technologies is one such manufacturer. One thing I’ve always appreciated about TenPoint, in addition to their relentless drive to produce exceptional crossbows and crossbow accessories, is their ability to put as much energy and emphasis on what I consider their “budget” bow lineup, Wicked Ridge. Wicked Ridge Crossbows​

Over the past decade, I’ve tinkered with and tested numerous TenPoint and Wicked Ridge crossbows. This past fall, I reviewed Wicked Ridge’s RDX 410. This sleek, compact shooter showed up ready for the woods, and after a week of testing, its speed, accuracy, and ease of handling blew me away.

Wicked Ridge Crossbows​

This year, the Wicked Ridge branded box on my doorstep held the new-for-2024 Commander M1. Before I opened the box, I did a quick internet search on the crossbow. Jumping at me from the get-go was the price. Yes, Wicked Ridge is known for producing quality budget crossbows, but the $599.99 with ACUdraw cocking device ($499.99 with Rope-Sled) comes with a Multi-Line Scope, three Match 400 carbon arrows, and a quiver. You’re ready for the wood for under $600, minus a broadhead purchase. That’s impressive. Wicked Ridge Crossbows​

First Impressions
My Commander M1 arrived, as expected, packaged perfectly. The 4x Multi-Line Scope was attached, and according to Wicked Ridge, it comes pre-sighted at 20 yards from the factory. More to come on this.

The bow assembly (limbs) is unattached from the stock assembly, and Wicked Ridge includes a cable saver with instructions. My model arrived with the ACUdraw ($599.99) system built into the stock. The crank handle sits in a slot, which Wicked Ridge integrated into the bottom of the M1’s stock for convenient storage and easy access.

Wicked Ridge Crossbows​

At first glance, the crossbow’s stock assembly looked solid. The gridded butt-plate is slightly curved to accommodate the natural curvature of the shooter’s shoulder pocket. I appreciate the stock’s airiness. Wicked Ridge removed mass where they could without compromising rigidity. The pistol grip has four through-and-through cutouts, and the area to insert the hand is large, which makes for quick grip acquisition. The trigger box is large, and the forearm is flat and vented.

The process is elementary. The cable saver features a grooved slot that goes down and over the cables. Next, use the included Rail and Trigger Lube and place a few drops in the barrel’s cable slot. The cables go into the slot, and the string comes over the flight deck. Pull back slightly on the string to pull the bow assembly tightly to the stock assembly. Lastly, use the included set screw and washers to attach the bow assembly to the stock assembly firmly. Wicked Ridge Crossbows​

With the crossbow assembled, I threaded the 100-grain field points into the Match 400 carbon arrows and attached the quiver bracket to the bottom of the crossbow via the Picatinny rail system. The quiver attaches to the bracket with a pair of triangle slots. Push the the button on the bracket and insert the quiver. This is one of the most straightforward quiver designs I’ve used, and I appreciated how quickly I could remove and reattach the quiver.