Prime Archery has introduced the 2027 Prime HOLD bows, a family of compound hunting bows built around adjustability, structural stiffness and steadier aiming. The lineup covers four axle-to-axle lengths—31, 33, 35 and 37 inches—with both 6- and 7-inch brace-height configurations.
That produces eight distinct builds, ranging from the compact, 4.1-pound HOLD 31/6 to the longer HOLD 37 models. Published IBO speeds range from 322 to 334 fps, depending on configuration.
At the center of the redesign are Prime’s new CNTRAX Cam System and ALIGN Tuning System. The company also revised its center-grip riser geometry, Nano2-Grip and accessory-mounting options for 2027.
“Prime’s main focus has not changed,” Brian Anderson, brand manager for G5/Prime, told Hook & Barrel. “All of our design and engineering is focused on creating the world’s best-aiming bows. The HOLD is the culmination of years of engineering and design—Center Grip, AST, ALIGN and CNTRAX cams—all coming together to create the best-aiming bow on the market.”
New CNTRAX Cam System
The CNTRAX Cam System is Prime’s latest cam design. According to the company, it delivers greater efficiency and speed, an improved string angle and a more adjustable back wall.
That adjustable back wall should allow dealers and archers to tailor how firmly the bow settles at full draw. The cam is paired with a straighter, less-reflexed riser and shorter limbs, creating a substantially redesigned platform rather than a minor update to an existing bow.
The published speeds favor the 6-inch brace-height configurations. They range from 330 to 334 fps, while the corresponding 7-inch builds are rated at 322 to 326 fps. In every axle-to-axle length, moving from the 6-inch to the 7-inch configuration reduces the listed IBO speed by 8 fps and shifts the available draw-length range one inch longer.
- Bowhunters who want a compact, speed-oriented flagship with press-free micro-tuning.
- The HOLD 31/6 represents a larger lineup with 31-, 33-, 35- and 37-inch axle-to-axle options. Each length is also available as a 7-inch-brace-height special build with a longer draw-length range, 8 fps less speed and a higher MSRP.
ALIGN Tuning Works Without a Bow Press
Prime’s new ALIGN Tuning System is one of the HOLD’s most notable additions. Instead of moving only the cam or relying on conventional shimming, ALIGN moves the limb pocket and limb laterally together. The goal is to keep the cam balanced over the center of the axle while making precise left-to-right tuning adjustments.
The system is micro-adjustable with Allen keys and does not require a bow press. That could make small tuning corrections more convenient for bow shops and experienced archers while preserving the relationship among the limb, pocket and cam.
“The ALIGN tuning system is the only press-free tuning system that doesn’t solve one problem by creating another,” Anderson continued. “The ALIGN pocket lets you move the entire pocket—limb and cam—from side to side while maintaining zero cam lean, giving the arrow a straight flight path.”
Center-Grip Riser and Nano2-Grip
The HOLD retains Prime’s center-grip concept, which places more of the bow’s mass below the shooter’s hand. Prime says this distribution is intended to improve balance and aiming stability without requiring an archer to add as much stabilizer weight.
For 2027, the company also reshaped its grip. The screwless Nano2-Grip has a flatter back and throat area designed to promote more consistent hand placement. A triangle on the grip provides a visible reference for the center of the bow.
AST Riser Construction and X-Weld Bonding
The HOLD riser uses Prime’s Advanced Structures Technology, or AST, which combines aluminum with American-made carbon rods placed in areas where Prime wants to increase stiffness without adding unnecessary mass.
Prime claims this construction increases riser stiffness by 47.5% while reducing weight by nearly half a pound. Those are manufacturer figures rather than independent test results, but the finished bows remain relatively light for their lengths, with published weights ranging from 4.1 to 4.5 pounds.
The carbon and aluminum components are joined using Prime’s X-Weld bonding process. The company rates each carbon-to-aluminum joint for 8,000 pounds of pull strength—approximately 10 times its stated 780-pound design requirement.
Integrated Accessory Options
The 2027 Prime HOLD accommodates several direct-mount accessories intended to reduce hardware and keep weight closer to the bow.
Picatinny-style mounting points support compatible sights, rests and Prime’s TriLite Kickstand. The HOLD also accepts the company’s SherpaLite quiver system.
A new Simple Integrated Mount, or SIM, places a back-bar mounting point directly into the bow. Prime says the design reduces mounting hardware and improves stability by bringing the back-bar connection closer to the riser.
2027 Prime HOLD Specifications
Prime categorizes the 7-inch brace-height versions as special builds on its website. All models are offered in draw weights from 40 to 80 pounds, including a new 75-pound option.
| Model | Brace Height | IBO Speed* | Draw Length | Weight | Draw Weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOLD 31/6 | 6 inches | 333 fps | 25.5–30.5 inches | 4.1 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,599 |
| HOLD 31/7 | 7 inches | 325 fps | 26.5–31.5 inches | 4.1 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,699 |
| HOLD 33/6 | 6 inches | 334 fps | 26–31 inches | 4.2 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,599 |
| HOLD 33/7 | 7 inches | 326 fps | 27–32 inches | 4.2 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,699 |
| HOLD 35/6 | 6 inches | 332 fps | 26.5–31.5 inches | 4.3 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,599 |
| HOLD 35/7 | 7 inches | 324 fps | 27.5–32.5 inches | 4.3 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,699 |
| HOLD 37/6 | 6 inches | 330 fps | 27–32 inches | 4.5 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,599 |
| HOLD 37/7 | 7 inches | 322 fps | 28–33 inches | 4.4 pounds | 40–80 pounds | $1,699 |
The 31-inch models provide the shortest overall package, while the 33- and 35-inch bows occupy the middle of the lineup. The HOLD 37 extends the platform for archers who prefer a longer axle-to-axle bow.
Across all four lengths, the 6-inch configuration provides the higher published speed. The 7-inch special builds exchange 8 fps for an additional inch of brace height and a draw-length range shifted toward longer-draw archers.
Prime HOLD Color Options
The supplied release lists 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 and White, along with camouflage options. Availability may vary by model, configuration and dealer.
With four axle-to-axle lengths, two brace heights and draw lengths extending from 25.5 to 33 inches, the 2027 Prime HOLD lineup covers a broad range of hunting setups. The defining changes, however, are the ones shared across the series: the new CNTRAX cam, press-free ALIGN tuning, revised grip and integrated mounting system.
