Wicked Ridge Commander M1 Review: Budget Pick

Commander M1 8.1/10Check Price on Amazon

380 FPSWicked Ridge

Quick verdict

The Commander M1 is our budget pick. It is narrow, built in the USA, rated at 380 FPS, has a built-in ACUdraw crank and comes with a coated 4X multi-line scope and 3 Match 400 arrows. Its 4.2 star average from 50 ratings beats pricier Wicked Ridge models.

CrossbowReport Score8.1/10

Approx. price (Sept 2026): $599.99Prices change, check Amazon for current price.

Check Price on Amazon

Commander M1 overview

The Wicked Ridge Commander M1 is the least expensive crossbow we track at about $599.99. It is described as narrow and built in the USA, rated at 380 FPS, and ships with a coated 4X multi-line scope and 3 Match 400 arrows. A built-in ACUdraw crank reduces draw weight to 5 lb.

Budget bows often trade quality for price, but the Commander M1's owner ratings are better than several more expensive models in our lineup, which is why it earns a strong score despite its simple feature set.

We did not shoot the Commander M1. This review is research-based, using listed specs, September 2026 Amazon ratings and owner discussion themes. See how we review.

Who it's for, and who it's not for

Good fit if you are

Budget buyers who want a proven brand
Hunters who want crank cocking at the lowest price
Buyers who value a USA built bow
Ground blind hunters who appreciate a narrow profile

Look elsewhere if you are

Hunters who want a lighted scope, see the Rampage XS
Anyone who wants de-cocking
Speed seekers

Commander M1 specs

Every spec below comes from our verified product data. If a spec is not listed here, we do not have a confirmed figure for it, so we leave it out rather than guess.

Wicked Ridge Commander M1 specifications
Brand	Wicked Ridge
Rated speed	380 FPS
Cocking	ACUdraw
Scope	Coated 4X Multi-Line Scope
Listed features	Narrow design, Built in the USA, Built-in ACUdraw reduces draw weight to 5 lb, Coated 4X Multi-Line Scope, 3 Match 400 arrows
Approx. price (Sept 2026)	$599.99
Amazon rating (Sept 2026)	4.2 stars (50 ratings)
KE with 400 gr arrow (calculated)	128.3 ft-lbs

What's in the box

Our product data confirms the following items are included with the Wicked Ridge Commander M1:

Coated 4X Multi-Line Scope
3 Match 400 arrows

Need more arrows, a case or a sling? See our guides to crossbow arrows, cases and bowpacks and broadheads.

Speed and kinetic energy

Wicked Ridge rates the Commander M1 at 380 FPS. Manufacturers typically measure rated speed with a specific arrow weight, and real world speed with your arrows can differ. To keep comparisons fair, we calculate energy for every bow with the same 400 grain arrow using the standard formulas: kinetic energy (ft-lbs) = grain × FPS² ÷ 450,240 and momentum (slug-ft/s) = grain × FPS ÷ 225,218.

At 380 FPS, a 400 grain arrow carries about 128.3 ft-lbs of kinetic energy and 0.67 slug-ft/s of momentum at the muzzle. That places it in the very large game class of widely cited energy guidelines (elk, moose, cape buffalo class animals). For whitetail, a common guideline is at least 42 ft-lbs, so every bow in our lineup clears that bar with a large margin. Shot placement and a sharp broadhead matter far more than extra speed.

Crossbow	Rated FPS	KE, 400 gr (ft-lbs)	Momentum (slug-ft/s)
Nitro 505 Oracle	505	226.6	0.90
Flatline 460 Oracle X	460	188.0	0.82
Stealth 450 Oracle X	450	179.9	0.80
RDX 410	410	149.3	0.73
Titan 400	400	142.1	0.71
Rampage XS	390	135.1	0.69
Commander M1 (this bow)	380	128.3	0.67

Values are calculated at the muzzle from rated speed. Arrows lose speed and energy downrange. Try your own arrow weight in our crossbow speed and energy calculator, and read how far a 400 FPS crossbow can shoot for practical range limits.

Cocking: ACUdraw

This model ships with a built-in ACUdraw crank. Instead of hand pulling or using a rope cocker, you engage the crank and wind the string back. This makes cocking much easier for smaller framed shooters, younger hunters and anyone with shoulder problems, and it centers the string for consistent accuracy.

Our product data does not list de-cocking for this model, so plan to unload with a discharge bag or a safe target at the end of each hunt.

New to this? Our step by step guide on how to cock a crossbow covers every method, and how long you can leave a crossbow cocked explains safe storage.

Scope and optics

The bow ships with the Coated 4X Multi-Line Scope. A factory matched scope means you can mount, sight in and hunt without shopping for optics separately, and it is calibrated with the bow's speed class in mind.

If you later want more magnification, an illuminated reticle or longer range marks, see our crossbow scope guide for upgrades such as the TenPoint Pro-View 2, RangeMaster 100, EVO-X Marksman Elite 3.0 and Hawke XB30 Pro.

Whatever scope you use, a careful zero makes the biggest difference. Follow our crossbow sight-in guide before hunting season.

What owners say

We summarize recurring themes from public Amazon ratings and owner discussions on hunting forums and Reddit. These are patterns, not quotes, and small rating counts mean individual experiences carry a lot of weight.

The Commander M1 averages 4.2 stars from 50 Amazon ratings as of September 2026, a strong result for the lowest priced bow we cover.

Value for money is the dominant positive theme
The narrow profile and USA build are frequently mentioned
Its 380 FPS rating is the most common tradeoff discussed

We treat owner feedback as one input alongside specs and price. It helps flag patterns, but it cannot replace your own judgment about fit, budget and hunting style.

Price and value

At about $599.99, the Commander M1 is about $50 cheaper than the Rampage XS and better rated. Both have a built-in ACUdraw crank. The Rampage XS adds 10 FPS and a lighted 3X Pro-View scope, while the Commander M1 has a coated 4X multi-line scope.

Approx. price (Sept 2026): $599.99Prices change, check Amazon for current price.

Check Price on Amazon