Arrow Nocks: Pin, Press-Fit, and Lighted Nock Guide
The nock is the cheapest part of your arrow and the one that ruins the most groups. A loose fit gets flyers, a tight fit gets dry fires. This page covers the three fitting styles, how to tune string fit, and when a lighted nock earns its 22 grains.
Fitting styles
| Style | How it seats | Common shafts |
|---|---|---|
| Pin nock | Snaps onto a pin bushing bonded in the shaft | Easton X10, Victory VAP, target shafts |
| Press-fit (S nock) | Presses into the shaft ID directly | Easton Axis 5mm, Axis 4mm, FMJ 5mm |
| G / Uni-nock | Uni-bushing bonded, nock slots in | Gold Tip Hunter XT, Kinetic, Airstrike |
| H nock | Larger diameter press-fit | Legacy .246 shafts, some Carbon Express |
String fit test
Hold the arrow horizontally at chest height with the nock snapped on the string. Tap the string sharply with your finger. The arrow should fall free. If it stays on the string, the nock is too tight. If it falls at the slightest bump, it is too loose. A too tight nock adds nock pinch and shows up as high left or high right paper tears.
Lighted nocks
| Nock | Weight | Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Nockturnal GT | 26 grains | Twist-on, replaceable button cell |
| Lumenok Crescent HD | 22 grains | Sealed, one lifetime shot |
| Iron Will Lighted Nock | 20 grains | Machined aluminum housing, replaceable |
| Clean Shot Lighted Nock | 18 grains | Rechargeable ends |
A 22 grain nock at 15 inches behind the balance point drops FOC by roughly 1 to 1.5 points. You get that back by adding a heavier insert. Rokslide and Archery Talk threads consistently rate Nockturnal for reliability and Iron Will for durability against string wax buildup.