In order to shoot from your crossbow, you have to load it first, using the command 'PRENOC'. You have to have a bolt case on your belt, and the crossbow wielded before you can load it. When identifying a crossbow, the 'delay' is the loading speed, and the shooting speed is 1/5th of that. Normal bows don't have to be reloaded, but don't forget to RECOVER your arrows after combat.