How to Cock a Ravin R20 Crossbow Safely

The Short Version

• Remove the cocking handle from its storage slot on the stock, then push and hold the spool thumb release button on the rear housing.
• Slide the sled (the sliding latch box that catches the string) all the way forward along the rail until you hear and feel it click firmly onto the bowstring.
• Insert the cocking handle into the side crank port and turn it clockwise until the internal clutch clicks and slips freely, signaling full draw.
• Pull the crank handle straight out of the socket, snap it back into its storage dock, and confirm the mechanical safety switch rests in the safe position.

Pre-Cocking Check and Handle Removal

Before you touch the crank system, take ten seconds to inspect your hunting gear. Look along the full length of the bow limbs, the cables, and the center bowstring. Check for any frayed strands, loose serving wraps, or cracked carbon fibers. Any physical damage under heavy pull weight creates a serious safety hazard, so stop immediately if something looks worn.

Inspect the metal rail (the metal center guide where the latch slides) to confirm it is clear of dirt, twigs, pine needles, or dried mud. Debris inside the track can block the sliding latch box or chew up the internal cocking strap. Make sure no arrow is resting on the flight deck. You must never attempt to cock or latch the bow with an arrow loaded.

Locate the cocking handle (the removable crank lever) mounted directly to the stock. Pull the handle firmly out of its rubber retention clips. Check that the metal hex drive on the tip of the handle is clean and free of grit so it seats all the way into the gear drive.

Check the area around you before drawing the string. Make sure you have solid footing on the ground or stand firmly on your tree stand platform. Hold the crossbow by the foregrip with your support hand, keeping your fingers curled safely below the protective wings and completely away from the flight deck.

Connecting the Sled to the Bowstring

1. Press the spool release button. Look at the rear receiver box right behind the scope mount. You will see a small, spring-loaded thumb button on the back of the housing. Push this spool thumb release button straight in with your thumb and keep pressure on it to unlock the internal strap spool.
2. Slide the sled down the rail. While holding the thumb release down, grab the sides of the sled (the sliding latch box that catches the string) with your free hand. Glide the sled smoothly down the metal rail toward the front wheels and bowstring. Do not let the sled slam forward under loose strap tension; guide it gently along the aluminum track.
3. Latch the jaws onto the string. Push the sled directly against the center serving of the bowstring. Apply firm, steady forward pressure until you hear a sharp, loud metallic click. That click tells you the spring-loaded latch jaws have fully encircled the bowstring. Release the spool thumb release button once the sled locks on.
4. Verify the latch connection. Grab the sides of the sled and give it a firm backward tug by hand. The sled should not budge or slip off the string. If it pulls away, the jaws never snapped shut. Push it forward again until you get that clear, positive snap.
5. Check the safety switch. Look at the safety lever on the sled housing. Connecting the latch to the bowstring automatically forces the safety switch into the safe position. If the lever points to fire, the mechanism failed to engage the string properly. Reset the sled and seat it again.

Cranking the Bow to Full Draw

1. Insert the cocking handle. Locate the recessed hex port on the side of the rear stock. The port is ambidextrous, meaning right-handed and left-handed shooters can plug the handle into whichever side feels comfortable. Push the hex end of the cocking handle straight into the socket until it bottoms out completely.
2. Establish a secure stance. Keep the crossbow pointed in a safe direction, either toward an open target butt or down toward the forest floor. Never place your foot inside the limb area or wrap your toes over any cables. Keep your support hand firmly wrapped around the bottom foregrip below the safety shields. Similar to handling compact hunting gear like the TenPoint TX Ultra 265 crossbow, keeping your fingers tucked away from the string path prevents painful pinch injuries.
3. Wind the handle clockwise. Begin turning the cocking handle clockwise in steady, even rotations. The internal gear system dramatically cuts down the physical pull weight, letting you draw the heavy limbs with minimal arm effort. You will hear a steady ratcheting sound as the internal strap winds back onto the spool.
4. Trust the internal brake mechanism. Many traditional crossbow winches can whip backward if your hand slips off the grip. This system uses an automatic internal friction brake. If you get tired or lose your grip mid-stroke, the handle stays put instead of spinning violently out of control. Simply regain your grip and keep cranking.
5. Listen for the slip clutch. Keep winding until the sled draws completely into the rear receiver housing. You will feel a distinct drop in resistance, and the handle will make a rapid clicking noise. This is the clutch (the built-in gear slip that stops over-tightening). Once the clutch starts clicking, the bow has reached full pull length. Stop turning immediately.

Confirming Full Lockup and Safety Status

• Verify receiver docking: Look closely at the junction where the sled meets the rear receiver box. There should be zero visible space between the two housings. The sled must sit flush against the back stops.
• Confirm the safety position: Double-check the white and red safety markings on the sled. The switch must point directly to the white safe marker. Never push the lever to red until you are aimed at your target and ready to squeeze the trigger.
• Remove and store the handle: Pull the cocking handle straight out of the side drive socket. Snap the handle back into the rubber storage clips on the stock. Leaving the handle in the drive socket creates unnecessary noise and can snag on tree branches or hunting blinds.
• Load only when ready: Keep the bow empty until you are settled in your blind or standing at the shooting line. When you do load, slide your approved arrow into the flight track until the nock snaps securely into the bowstring jaws. Firing without an arrow causes a dry fire (releasing the bowstring without an arrow), which shatters limbs, damages cams, and voids your equipment protection.

Fixing Common Snags and Stuck Handles

If you press the thumb release button and the sled refuses to slide forward, do not force it with a screwdriver or pry bar. This issue almost always happens because the trigger was pulled while the sled was empty, closing the latch jaws. When the jaws close early, the internal safety blocks the release spool. Push the safety switch toward fire, pull the trigger to reset the internal sear, push the safety back to safe, and then press the thumb button again.

Sometimes the sled glides down the rail but refuses to click onto the bowstring. This also points to closed latch jaws. The jaws cannot wrap around the string if they are already clamped shut. Reset the trigger mechanism as described above, check that the safety switch moves smoothly, and push the sled firmly against the string until the jaws snap open and lock.

If the crank handle binds up or feels excessively stiff halfway through the draw stroke, stop cranking at once. Do not attempt to muscle through the resistance. A sudden spike in effort usually means the cocking strap has bunched up or crossed over itself on the spool. Unwind the crank slightly to relieve tension, check the strap feeding path, and keep your turns smooth and centered.

When comparing different draw mechanisms across the industry, such as evaluating the best TenPoint crossbow for hunting, mechanical designs handle strap slack in distinct ways. If your Ravin strap develops deep frays, twists inside the housing, or slips off the center guide, do not attempt to disassemble the spring housing at home. Take the bow to a certified technician with an archery pro shop bow press to have the internal strap replaced safely under proper shop conditions.

FAQs

Can the cocking handle kick backward while winding?

No, the internal safety brake stops the handle from snapping backward under tension. If your fingers slip off the grip mid-draw, the handle holds its exact position on the stock. You can safely regrip the handle and continue turning clockwise without fear of painful kickback.

How do I know the latch is firmly hooked onto the string?

You will hear an audible, metallic click as the spring jaws close over the center serving of the bowstring. You can also confirm the connection by pulling backward on the sled by hand before inserting the crank. If the sled stays locked to the string and the safety switch flips to safe, the latch is secure.

Can I uncock the Ravin R20 using the crank handle?

No, the R20 crank mechanism is strictly designed to wind the bow into the cocked position. It does not feature a reverse de-cocking clutch. To uncock the crossbow safely at the end of a hunt, you must load a dedicated discharge arrow and shoot it into a portable target or soft earth bank.

What should I do if the crank spins freely without moving the sled?

If the handle spins clockwise without drawing the sled back, the cocking strap has likely developed severe slack or detached from the spool. Remove the handle and verify the sled is fully latched onto the string. If the strap remains slack or loose inside the stock housing, have an archery technician inspect the internal spool assembly.