Abstract: A weapon, such as a crossbow or firearm, may have a main beam, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam and, a support rod that can be positioned into a first use position and a second stowed position. The support rod may have a first end used to support the main beam and a second end used to contact a ground surface. In one embodiment, a contact member with a hemispherical contact surface is attached to the second end of the support rod. In another embodiment, the support rod has a handgrip portion that receives a user's hand in supporting the weapon when shooting the weapon when the support rod is in the second stowed position. In still another embodiment, a mounting bracket is used to provide at least two locations for attaching the support rod to the main beam.

Abstract: A crossbow may include a main beam: (a) a bow assembly including a bow and a bow string adapted to propel an arrow; (b) a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam; (c) and a bow assembly mounting apparatus for use in selectively mounting the bow assembly at a first location on the main beam to provide a first draw weight and for use in selectively mounting the bow assembly to a second location on the main beam to provide a second draw weight that is substantially different from the first draw weight.

Abstract: Crossbow bowstring drawing mechanisms which are integrated into or secured in the crossbow handle and which provide a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring to cock the crossbow bowstring in position in the crossbow trigger mechanism ready for firing. The cocking system can be manually operated or motorized, and can be manufactured as part of a crossbow or retrofit into a crossbow. An internal or external source of rotational power, such as hand crank, power screwdriver or an electrical motor, is preferably utilized in conjunction with a claw member including a bowstring engaging portion to translate rotation of the input source to longitudinal movement of the claw member to draw or release the crossbow bowstring resulting with minimal effort being expended by the user.