Abstract: An improved crossbow is provided having a guard that is integrated into the barrel or stock on each side of the stock which runs parallel to the track or area that the arrow sits in for a length of at least where the string is at rest to where the string is held or secured in the ready or firing position while also having a loaded arrow safety actuator system integrated internally within a crossbow so as to be unexposed to the elements associated with normal outside weather hunting conditions. The loaded arrow safety actuator system incorporates a trigger safety and an arrow retention device for retaining an arrow within a crossbow and alerting a user that the arrow is loaded within the track of a crossbow by allowing the trigger safety to move from a ‘safe’ position to a ‘fire’ position.

Abstract: An improved crossbow is provided having an active finger guard that is integrated into the barrel or stock on each side of the stock which runs parallel to the track or area that the arrow sits in for a length of at least where the string is at rest to where the string is held or secured in the ready or firing position. The guard extends outward from the stock in a direction for a length that is perpendicular to the stock or axis/plane of the track or barrel covering the fingers from easily moving up into the path of the string. The guard includes a shield on each side that pivots down or out of the way as not to interfere in any way with the cocking or drawing phase of the crossbow be it done by hand or with the assistance of what is known and understood to be a cocking aid. Each shield is spring urged upward so as to always be deployed in a protective position.