Did ranged skillset ever work for PCs?

[Earwin]

I'm trying to draw with a bow and crossbow, with both skills @ 46%.

Failing 100% with both, with the same message "You start drawing the string of your bow but lose the grip.", which is probably wrong for the crossbow.

[Earwin]

Earlier seen a lot of NPCs failing to draw, but they still somehow manage to shoot sometimes, with whoopass consequences.

[Raider]

Yes, it did work until some recent change.

It was buggy though.
Aimed shot could drain your mana to negative values.
Volley and quickshot sometimes doubled your current mv points instead of subtracting the cost.

volley 11 arrow from quiv here nym

1010/1010hp 415/415m 2233mv 356247tnl $87.66295 (NES)   
You start drawing the string of your bow but lose the grip.
 
1010/1010hp 415/415m 2196mv 356247tnl $87.66295 (NES)
volley 11 arrow from quiv here nym

You start drawing the string of your bow but lose the grip.
 
1010/1010hp 415/415m 4279mv 356247tnl $87.66295 (NES)
 
A nymph checks the ground for tracks.
You are thirsty.
 
1010/1010hp 415/415m 407mv 356247tnl $87.66295 (NES)

[xafelar]

Was the whole spec just turned off/blocked or there is a way to play it?