Prime Archery has introduced the 2027 Prime CONTROL bow, positioning it as a more attainable route into the company’s center-grip platform. Available as the compact CONTROL 31/6 and longer CONTROL 33/7, the new compound bow reaches advertised IBO speeds of up to 335 fps and carries a $999 MSRP.
Prime describes the CONTROL as delivering “flagship performance without the flagship price tag.” At $999, the bow incorporates several technologies found throughout Prime’s premium hunting-bow lineup, including the CORE Cam System, Advanced Structures Technology riser construction and XWELD bonding.
“We didn’t want compromise on the Prime Archery goal of making the best-aiming bows on the market,” Brian Anderson, brand manager for G5/Prime, told Hook & Barrel. “We knew we wanted to have Centergrip and AST as the backbone of all our bows, but we also wanted to break under that $1,000 price point with the CONTROL.
“Advanced Structure Technology [AST] is not just carbon and aluminum, it is using the best materials in the right places,” he continued. “So taking the structure from the Divide platform, where we were already investing our engineering time, and changing out the carbon bars for machined aluminum bars gave us the opportunity to bring the Control to market at an incredible price.”
CORE Cam Designed to Reduce Cam Lean
The CONTROL uses Prime’s established CORE Cam rather than the new CNTRAX cam and ALIGN tuning system found on the 2027 HOLD.
Prime describes the CORE as the smoothest cam system it has developed. More notably, the company says it is the only cam system on the market designed to actively reduce cam lean.
The system brings the strings and cables into alignment with one another, balancing the cam throughout the draw cycle. According to Prime, that balance is intended to produce a steadier aim at full draw.
The CONTROL 31/6 is rated at 335 fps with performance modules, while the CONTROL 33/7 is rated at 331 fps. The release qualifies the 31/6 figure at a 30-inch draw length and 70-pound draw weight.
- Bowhunters who want Prime’s center-grip design and CORE Cam technology without stepping up to HOLD pricing.
- The CONTROL comes in two configurations. The compact 31/6 reaches 335 fps and fits 25.5–29.5-inch draw lengths; the longer CONTROL 33/7 reaches 331 fps and fits 27–31-inch draws.
AST Riser Construction and XWELD Bonding
Like the HOLD, the CONTROL uses Prime’s Advanced Structures Technology, or AST. The construction method combines aluminum with American-made carbon rods placed in areas intended to increase riser stiffness without adding unnecessary mass.
Prime claims AST increases stiffness by 47.5% while reducing overall weight by nearly half a pound. Those figures come from the manufacturer rather than independent testing, but the completed CONTROL bows weigh 4.2 and 4.3 pounds, depending on configuration.
The carbon and aluminum components are connected using Prime’s XWELD bonding process. Prime rates each carbon-to-aluminum joint for 8,000 pounds of pull strength, approximately 10 times the company’s stated 780-pound design requirement.
Center-Grip Balance
The CONTROL also incorporates Prime’s signature center-grip riser geometry. By positioning the grip near the bow’s physical center, Prime places more of the bow’s mass below the shooter’s hand.
The company says that distribution improves balance and aiming stability without requiring an archer to add as much stabilizer weight. As with the CONTROL’s speed and stiffness figures, that claim will ultimately require hands-on shooting to evaluate.
Integrated Hunting Accessories
Prime equips the CONTROL with the Picatinny-style sight mount it introduced in 2024. The mounting system allows compatible bow sights to attach directly to the riser, reducing the need for a conventional side-mount bracket.
The bow also accommodates Prime’s integrated SherpaLite quiver and TriLite Kickstand. Together, those options let an archer mount common hunting accessories closer to the riser and reduce additional brackets or hardware.
2027 Prime CONTROL Specifications
Unlike the HOLD’s eight configurations, the CONTROL line consists of two deliberately different models: a 31-inch bow with a 6-inch brace height and a 33-inch bow with a 7-inch brace height.
| Specification | CONTROL 31/6 | CONTROL 33/7 |
|---|---|---|
| Axle to axle | 31 inches | 33 inches |
| Brace height | 6 inches | 7 inches |
| IBO speed* | 335 fps | 331 fps |
| Draw length | 25.5–29.5 inches | 27–31 inches |
| Weight | 4.2 pounds | 4.3 pounds |
| Draw weight | 40–80 pounds | 40–80 pounds |
| MSRP | $999 | $999 |
Choosing Between the CONTROL 31/6 and 33/7
The CONTROL 31/6 is the more compact and faster of the two bows. Its 31-inch axle-to-axle length and 6-inch brace height produce an advertised 335 fps, while its draw-length range runs from 25.5 to 29.5 inches.
The CONTROL 33/7 adds two inches of axle-to-axle length and an inch of brace height. It weighs one-tenth of a pound more, gives up 4 fps and shifts the draw-length range to 27–31 inches.
That makes the decision relatively straightforward on paper. The 31/6 suits shorter draw lengths and hunters prioritizing a compact platform and maximum published speed. The 33/7 accommodates longer draws and provides the dimensions some archers prefer for a steadier, more forgiving setup.
The CONTROL’s clearest selling point is not one isolated feature. It is the combination of Prime’s center-grip riser, hybrid AST construction, CORE Cam and integrated accessories at a $999 MSRP.
“Out of all the axle-to-axle and brace height options in the Divide, we decided to go with the 31/6 and 33/7 for a couple reasons,” Anderson said. “First, we wanted to give more offerings than just one model, and the 31-inch and 33-inch bows have always been what hunter demand most. We also went with two different brace heights to give options for feel and forgivenes. This also allowed for shorter and longer draw length options.”
Prime CONTROL Color Options
The CONTROL is available in seven limb finishes:
- Terra
- Morel
- Black
- Recon Grey
- White
- Sitka Subalpine
- Mossy Oak Bottomland
Riser choices include:
- Terra
- Morel
- Black
- Recon Grey
- Deep Red
- Midnight Blue
- White
- Sitka Subalpine
- Mossy Oak Bottomland
Availability may vary by configuration and dealer.
Where the CONTROL Fits in Prime’s 2027 Lineup
The CONTROL’s clearest selling point is not one isolated feature. It is the combination of Prime’s center-grip riser, hybrid AST construction, CORE Cam and integrated accessories at a $999 MSRP.
The more expensive HOLD offers substantially more configuration choices along with the new CNTRAX Cam and press-free ALIGN Tuning System. The CONTROL instead uses established Prime technology to reach a lower price and a simpler two-model lineup.
