PSE Sicario Review: Specs, Speed and Who It Suits

The PSE Sicario is PSE's 2026 carbon speed bow, and in both big magazine bow tests this year it was the fastest bow on the chronograph by a wide margin. This PSE Sicario review covers both sizes: the original 33-inch Sicario, rated at 357 fps IBO with a 5 1/4 inch brace height, and the Sicario 35 that PSE added in mid-2026. The short verdict: testers found it far easier to shoot than PSE's speed bows of old, but the short brace asks more of your form. PSE sells through dealers, so start with PSE's dealer locator.

PSE Sicario specs: Sicario 33 vs Sicario 35

PSE's own figures, read on its two Sicario product pages in October 2026.

Check two details with your dealer. PSE's spec table lists 70, 75, 80 and 85% let-off, but the description on the same page says "75% to 85%", and Lancaster Archery's listing says 70 to 85%. PSE also lists 3.9 lb for both sizes, even though the 35 is two inches longer.

Design and features: what the technology does

The FDS cam and Full Draw Stability

PSE says its new-for-2026 FDS Cam System "distributes power evenly through the draw cycle" and that, by "boosting Effective Brace Height (EBH) at full draw," it steadies your pin and reduces torque. On its Mach 30 DS page, PSE puts that gain at "up to ⅞” increase in effective brace height". Those are maker claims. The brace is still 5 1/4 inches at rest (Field & Stream's tape matched PSE's spec), and Outdoor Life's verdict was that, even with Full Draw Stability, "it's a very short brace and will be more critical."

The FDS cams carry a black let-off adjustment arm attached to both cam modules, with felt on the back that contacts the inner cable to give a firm back wall. Field & Stream's Jace Bauserman found the transition into his 80% let-off wasn't abrupt, and says the cams "didn't want to pull you into the shot (like those old PSE screamers did)."

A short brace is the classic route to speed: the string pushes the arrow for longer. Our brace height guide explains why that also makes a bow less forgiving.

The Dead Frequency Carbon riser

PSE says the carbon riser "kills vibration for a dead-in-the-hand feel." Field & Stream measured it at 27 1/2 inches long with roughly 3 inches of reflex, and notes it's shorter than the Mach 33 DS riser even though the two bows share a 33-inch length. Bauserman likes the grip's narrow throat and torque-reducing angle; Outdoor Life called it "excellent".

Tuning hardware

• EZ.220 snap spacers: shift the cams sideways to correct cam lean in 0.020-inch steps. PSE says this avoids "extended time in the press"; Outdoor Life notes you still need a bow press and the spacer tool.
• Limb Vise pockets and CGM cable guard: PSE says the pockets keep the limbs aligned at any limb bolt setting, and the cable guard needs almost no maintenance.

Mounts and accessories

The riser has a Picatinny rail for the sight, QAD's dovetail Integrate Mounting System for the rest, and a KillShok damper that takes modular weights. Field & Stream's test bow wore a Spot-Hogg sight and a QAD Integrate MX2 rest.

What the independent tests found

Field & Stream

Bauserman ran the Sicario in Field & Stream's 2026 group test, where it won Fastest Bow with a final score of 96. At 70 lb and a 29-inch draw, it sent a 467-grain Easton 5MM FMJ Max at 306 fps, which he says is over 97 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. From his full review:

• Speed check: with a 350-grain arrow at 70 lb, it averaged 350.1 fps over three shots, "the fastest compound bow I've ever shot."
• Feel and noise: he noted a surprising lack of recoil and a post-shot reading of 69.97 dB, "not as quiet as last year's Mach 33 DS, but certainly not loud." He also found the back wall less pleasing than the Mach 33 DS's.
• Tuning: the snap spacers cleaned up a nock-left kick in under 20 minutes, and a rest tweak fixed the last slight tear. He says it didn't tune as easily as the Mach 33 DS.
• Accuracy: a sub-3-inch, three-arrow group at 60 yards, and back-to-back 5-Spot scores of 290 and 295.

His one listed con: it "amplifies mistakes in shooting form at distance."

Outdoor Life

Outdoor Life's Scott Einsmann and his testers shot seven flagships at 60 lb, a 29.5-inch draw and a 389-grain arrow. The Sicario clocked 305.2 fps, "about 20 fps faster than the next closest bow," with a 10.8 lb holding weight. "The draw is stiff and requires effort throughout the pull, but it's smooth."

Accuracy was the weak point. The Sicario averaged 4.04 inches across nine five-arrow groups at 50 yards, fifth of seven, and finished fifth on total score (15.2 against the Elite Varos's 20.6). The testers wrote that it "struggled with accuracy, most likely due to its 5.25-inch brace height," which was more than an inch shorter than any other bow in the test.

Outdoor Life's category scores (1 to 5, relative to the field) show where it lost ground: features 2, draw cycle 2.6, post-shot feel 3 and back wall 3.3, against a strong 4.3 for grip.

Neither magazine tested the Sicario 35. Real-world speeds usually fall below IBO ratings; our IBO speed vs real arrow speed explainer shows why.

Fit, setup and compatibility

Draw length and weight

Draw length changes in half-inch steps: Bauserman describes loosening two module screws and setting the right letter in the draw-length window on each cam. He also found his 29-inch setting measured 29 1/16 inches and suggests trying 28 1/2 if you normally shoot 29. Choose the Sicario 35 if your draw is over 30 inches; its 5 7/8 inch brace is still half an inch shorter than the Mach 33 DS's.

PSE lists five limb bolt turns, and its user guide warns never to exceed that number. Field & Stream adds that PSE wants four full turns out before pressing.

Arrows, vanes and rest clearance

The short brace leaves less room between the string and the rest. Bauserman's advice is to choose vanes shorter than 3 inches; his 2.5-inch vanes sat just 1/4 inch off the launcher arm. Check clearance before fletching.

Setting it up

1. Order the right size, hand, draw length and peak weight from a PSE dealer.
2. Register the bow within 30 days. PSE's warranty needs it, with dated proof of purchase.
3. Fit a Picatinny sight, an Integrate-style rest, peep and D-loop. PSE wants string accessories fitted by an authorised retailer.
4. Check tiller and cam timing. PSE's set-up procedure says top and bottom tiller should match within 1/8 inch.
5. Paper tune, using the EZ.220 spacers for cam lean. Our paper tuning guide explains how to read tears.
6. Check broadhead flight before the season.

Warranty and service

PSE's limited lifetime warranty covers the riser, limb pockets, limbs and cams for the original registered owner. It isn't transferable. Strings, cables, dampers and bearings are consumables, and aftermarket strings void the warranty. PSE recommends new strings and cables after 2,000 shots or 24 months, and an annual dealer service.

How the Sicario compares

PSE Sicario vs Mathews ARC

Makers' figures:

On the same 467-grain arrow, Field & Stream measured 306 fps from the Sicario and 295 from the ARC 30, but gave the ARC 30 its Most Accurate award. In Outdoor Life's test the ARC 34 was about 21 fps slower with SWX-Z mods, yet it grouped tighter (3.56 against 4.04 inches) and placed third overall. Our Mathews ARC review has the details.

Pick the Sicario for speed and a lighter 33-inch bow. Pick the ARC for accuracy results and a longer, more forgiving brace.

Sicario vs PSE Mach 33 DS

The Mach 33 DS shares the 33-inch length and 3.9 lb weight, but lists a 6 3/8 inch brace, 342 fps and a 25.5–31 in draw range. Field & Stream named the Mach 33 DS its best bow of 2025, and Outdoor Life says the Sicario "isn't as nice to shoot as the Mach 33," though "exceptionally nice for the performance you get." The Sicario buys 15 fps on paper for 1 1/8 inches less brace.

Sicario vs Hoyt Carbon RX-10 and Xpedition NexLite 33

Hoyt lists the Carbon RX-10 at 30.5 in, a 6 1/8 in brace, 342 fps (an ATA rating, not IBO) and 4.1 lb, with quarter-inch draw-length adjustment.

Xpedition lists the NexLite 33 at 330 fps IBO, a 6.375 in brace and 3.75 lb, with quarter-inch draw changes and no press needed. Outdoor Life clocked it at 280.3 fps with 4.24-inch groups.

Who should buy the Sicario, and who shouldn't

Good fits:

• Western hunters who want flatter arrows and room for yardage errors. Bauserman says they "should absolutely consider this bow", and his 20-yard pin covered both 20 and 30 yards.
• 3D shooters chasing speed classes. Outdoor Life says it suits anyone who wants to "dominate the IBO hunter class".

Look elsewhere if you are:

• New to compounds. Both tests say the short brace punishes form errors, and a forgiving, adjustable package like the one in our Bear Cruzer G3 review makes more sense.
• Wanting long vanes or quarter-inch draw tweaks. Neither fits the Sicario well.

Where to buy

The Sicario is dealer-only, so we don't link it on Amazon: use PSE's dealer locator.

For accessories, compare 2.5-inch arrow vanes on Amazon and bowstring wax, which PSE's guide says to apply every couple of sessions.

Frequently asked questions

How fast is the PSE Sicario in real setups?

PSE rates the Sicario at 357 fps IBO. Field & Stream measured 350.1 fps with a 350-grain arrow at 70 lb and a 29-inch draw, and 306 fps with a 467-grain hunting arrow. Outdoor Life measured 305.2 fps at 60.4 lb, a 29.5-inch draw and 389 grains. Both were the fastest results in their tests.

What's the difference between the Sicario and the Sicario 35?

The Sicario 35 is two inches longer, with a 5 7/8 inch brace height instead of 5 1/4 inches. PSE rates it at 336 fps rather than 357, and it covers 26–31.5 inch draws instead of 24.5–30. Both share the FDS cam and 50–80 lb peaks, and PSE lists both at 3.9 lb.

PSE Sicario vs Mathews ARC: which is better?

The Sicario was clearly faster in both magazine tests. The ARC 30 won Field & Stream's accuracy award, and Outdoor Life's ARC 34 grouped tighter and placed higher overall than the Sicario. Choose the Sicario for speed and pin gaps, the ARC for forgiveness and accuracy.

Is the PSE Sicario good for beginners?

We wouldn't recommend it as a first bow. Its 5 1/4 inch brace height makes it less forgiving, Field & Stream says it amplifies form mistakes at distance, and Outdoor Life's testers saw wider groups than most of the field. A newer archer gets more from a longer-brace bow and good coaching.

Can you buy the PSE Sicario on Amazon?

We found no Amazon listing for the Sicario. PSE sells its bows through authorised dealers, and warranty service runs through an authorised PSE retailer, so buy from a dealer and register the bow within 30 days. PSE's website has a dealer locator.