The largest speed gap in this comparison set
330 fps against 405 fps is 75 feet per second, and unlike most of the gaps in our top five this one is big enough to notice. The Dagger's trajectory is flatter, its energy on arrival is higher, and at longer distances it is the more capable machine.
The question is whether the shooter can use that capability. A bow that is too long in the stock or too heavy to draw consistently will lose more accuracy to poor fit than it gains from speed.
Who the Recruit XP is actually for
Adjustable stock, adjustable draw. That combination matters for a teenager who will grow out of a fixed stock, for a smaller-framed adult, and for anyone who cannot manage a heavy draw comfortably. The Dagger's 220 lb draw weight is at the top of what a rope cocker makes pleasant, and it is the specification that rules it out for some shooters entirely.
The Recruit also handles more easily in a confined space, and it is the more forgiving bow to learn on, in the sense that it punishes bad form less.
Where the Dagger's price shows
In the arrows. The Dagger 405 is the cheapest complete setup in our top five and the bundled bolts are the compromise. Replacing them should be part of the budget rather than a later surprise, and once you have, the package is genuinely good value. The bow is also heavier than its rivals, which matters if you carry it far.
Which one to buy
Buy the Dagger 405 if the shooter is a full-size adult on a tight budget who wants the most bow for the money. Buy the Recruit XP if the shooter is young, small or has a shoulder that objects to a heavy draw - it is the only bow in our top five built around fitting rather than around a number. See the <a href="/reviews/barnett-recruit-xp/">Recruit XP review</a> and the <a href="/reviews/centerpoint-dagger-405/">Dagger 405 review</a>.