just FYI, but the rules could be interpreted as requiring a full action to both put away a crossbow and draw a sword.
Two possibilities:
1. today's L&L included mention of a crossbow feat that will apply (I expect) to hand crossbows.
2. I fully expect the Drow sub race to be granted weapon proficiency in hand crossbows, which means that it an become a weapon for drow clerics, wizards, rogues, etc. without needing additional character investment.
And then couple that with the old "hand crossbow on a cord" that was prominent in the Salvatore novels so you can drop the crossbow and still have it handy for later.That said, I'd probably always consider simply dropping something (rather than putting it away) would always be a freebie too.
Wouldn't that be because in previous/other systems it's been possible to use one hand crossbow in each hand and fire & reload each every turn?How this even became a question to be asked I have no idea, it's like people think that if there is no hard mechanical combat advantage that there is no reason to have a thing...