Why are ranged weapons so big now? (java 2021.1)

I believe you need to create a custom JSON model. I would recommend using web.blockbench.net. Once you finish you need to import the JSON and texture file.

I would also recommend joining the Blockbench Discord here: https://discord.com/invite/4UT8eEM They can help you model, texture, and export your object.

it's neither an MCreator bug nor your fault, it's just built-in. MCreator uses the model properties (scale, translations & rotation) of vanilla bows by default, so if you wanna make your ranged item smaller then you'll have to lock the element then edit its JSON (item model) code to change scale values, which is pretty inconvenient if you ask me...

ah, it seems you're right! my bad then, only the scale of modded ones is different after all; they are kinda bigger than the vanilla bow but have the same rotation & translation. and it's most noticeable when viewed in first-person, either hand. but... you might not believe what i found after looking around at the JSON code of both vanilla & an MCreator bow i made and then comparing the two:

first-person scale

• vanilla: "scale": [ 0.68, 0.68, 0.68 ]
• modded (MCreator): "scale": [1, 1, 1]

third-person scale

• vanilla: "scale": [ 0.9, 0.9, 0.9 ]
• modded (MCreator): "scale": [1, 1, 1] (again lol)

MCreator always uses 1 for the scale... no wonder! compare these 2 JSON models yourself too if you wish:

vanilla:

{
    "parent": "item/generated",
    "textures": {
        "layer0": "item/bow"
    },
    "display": {
        "thirdperson_righthand": {
            "rotation": [ -80, 260, -40 ],
            "translation": [ -1, -2, 2.5 ],
            "scale": [ 0.9, 0.9, 0.9 ]
        },
        "thirdperson_lefthand": {
            "rotation": [ -80, -280, 40 ],
            "translation": [ -1, -2, 2.5 ],
            "scale": [ 0.9, 0.9, 0.9 ]
        },
        "firstperson_righthand": {
            "rotation": [ 0, -90, 25 ],
            "translation": [ 1.13, 3.2, 1.13],
            "scale": [ 0.68, 0.68, 0.68 ]
        },
        "firstperson_lefthand": {
            "rotation": [ 0, 90, -25 ],
            "translation": [ 1.13, 3.2, 1.13],
            "scale": [ 0.68, 0.68, 0.68 ]
        }
    },
    "overrides": [
        {
            "predicate": {
                "pulling": 1
            },
            "model": "item/bow_pulling_0"
        },
        {
            "predicate": {
                "pulling": 1,
                "pull": 0.65
            },
            "model": "item/bow_pulling_1"
        },
        {
            "predicate": {
                "pulling": 1,
                "pull": 0.9
            },
            "model": "item/bow_pulling_2"
        }
    ]
}

MCreator:

{
  "parent": "item/generated",
  "textures": {
    "layer0": "animatedbow:items/arcane_bow"
  },
  "display": {
    "thirdperson_righthand": {
      "rotation": [-80, 260, -40],
      "translation": [-1, -2, 2.5],
      "scale": [1, 1, 1]
    },
    "thirdperson_lefthand": {
      "rotation": [-80,-280,40],
      "translation": [-1,-2,2.5],
      "scale": [1,1,1
      ]
    },
    "firstperson_righthand": {
      "rotation": [0,-90,25],
      "translation": [1.13, 3.2, 1.13],
      "scale": [1, 1, 1]
    },
    "firstperson_lefthand": {
      "rotation": [0, 90, -25],
      "translation": [1.13, 3.2, 1.13],
      "scale": [1, 1, 1]
    }
  },
  "overrides": [
    {
      "predicate": {
        "pulling": 1
      },
      "model": "animatedbow:item/arcane_bow_pulling_0"
    },
    {
      "predicate": {
        "pulling": 1,
        "pull": 0.65
      },
      "model": "animatedbow:item/arcane_bow_pulling_1"
    },
    {
      "predicate": {
        "pulling": 1,
        "pull": 0.9
      },
      "model": "animatedbow:item/arcane_bow_pulling_2"
    }
  ]
}

(gosh i had to reorganize the code for that one coz MCreator's default adds a new line for the translation, rotation & scale values, making it have more code lines bruh)

so now you know how the vanilla bow model looks like! now you know the proper values for vanilla bow's scale and can then replace MCreator default w/ it whenever you feel like locking your ranged item's code & editing the JSON model. but if you're more comfy in making Blockbench models than editing JSON, go for it! :)