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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Frank V on March 29, 2009, 05:12:00 PM

Title: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Frank V on March 29, 2009, 05:12:00 PM
I just bought a Bear Super-K & am having a ball tuning & shooting it. Factory suggests a 8"-9" brace height & I've found mine likes a 9" brace height. It was unforgiving & noisy till I got to 9" then quieted down & became very easy to shoot. I bought it for nostalgic reasons as I started with a Bear bow in the 60s & wanted to experience shooting a Bear again. Now I'm really getting to like this bow. It won't replace my HH, but will become a hunting bow. Anyone else? Frank
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: suttoman on March 29, 2009, 05:37:00 PM
I  had a few Martin bows there for a while but found them pretty ordinary.  Then I had a fling there for a long time with custom bows.  They cost me a fortune but I ended up with two nice ones - my Jim Jones bow and my Turkey Creek.

However the best of them all and the bow I use all the time is a factory bow - my new Pittsley Predator.  What an awesome bow.  Fit and finish just as good as my customs and the wonderful thing is I don't have to send the riser off if I wish to order new limbs - just buy them and whack them on.

There are benefits of a factory bow - some of the small companies I bought bows off have closed down and are no longer in business.  Not so good if you want replacements or have warranty issues.  A lot of the smaller guys working two jobs took ages to get back to me and answer emails.  However working with a company like Pittsley has been great - awesome service and the best recurve bow in the business.

Sutto
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Zach Mikita on March 29, 2009, 06:07:00 PM
I also shoot a Bear SK and love it!  My buddy shoots a Black Widow and to be honest I would much rather shoot my bow than his.  I want to invest in a newer, nicer bow and I'm on the fence of factory or hand-made...I really have no access to shoot different types of bows where I live so I'm just taking my time.  I shot the Hoyt Dorado yesterday at a local dealer and it is one of the smoothest bows I have ever shot...period.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Ben Maher on March 29, 2009, 07:57:00 PM
Frank....i'm a Hill shooter but am currently having an affair with a Hoyt Dorado....a sweet sweet shooter. I've had many "production" bows inc Bears and Martins/Howatts. my old Super K  was one of the sweetest bows i've ever shot and my Martin Hunter threw a heavy arrow with amazing speed and accuracy. like you i'm enjoying going back to the 'curve just like my younger days when afield i'd have a strung Bear  or Hoyt Pro Hunter....my Hills are getting jealous.....
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: vtmtnman on March 29, 2009, 08:39:00 PM
That's all I've ever had is production bows.I LOVE my grizzly,but I shot some customs recently and they pretty much ruined me.lol  :readit:
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Bear Heart on March 29, 2009, 09:05:00 PM
My issue with some "factory" bows is that they charge way more than a custom bow.  Just look at what Bear take downs cost.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: VA Bowbender on March 29, 2009, 09:11:00 PM
Here's some of mine.  I have to make an updated pict

 (http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h21/VAbowbender/Hunting/BowCollection.jpg)ure with the rest, someday.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: tarponnut on March 29, 2009, 09:17:00 PM
I love my Martin(Hatfield) and Bear bows. Both shoot great, I own a "custom" bow but always go back to that Martin for hunting.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Dartwick on March 29, 2009, 09:18:00 PM
Do you consider Black Widow and A&H to be factory bows?


Note: This isnt a slam at either, in the slightest. I think they are great bows and I would be happy to own either.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Killdeer on March 29, 2009, 09:25:00 PM
:wavey:  
Bears, Pearsons, Howatts, Herters, what's not to like?

Killdeer   :archer:
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: VA Bowbender on March 29, 2009, 09:32:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Bear Heart:
My issue with some "factory" bows is that they charge way more than a custom bow.  Just look at what Bear take downs cost.
Ain't that the truth!
The last I read I think this one was $4000.00

  (http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/pics/00small74547451.JPG)
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: ishoot4thrills on March 29, 2009, 09:35:00 PM
I had a Bear Montana LB and it was a great factory bow. My Predator II recurve was made by Darton when Pittsley worked for them, so I guess that makes it a factory production bow.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: George D. Stout on March 29, 2009, 09:39:00 PM
You guys picked the two most expensive Bear bows in the history of the company.  There are other factory bows, so I'm not sure how that could be an issue.   Bear made myriad other models that shot great and got plenty of folks into archery.
If you asked this question forty years ago, the answer would have been, "just about everyone."

By the way....my expensive Shakespeare Necedah shoots great and I paid $77.00 for it.  The guy was nice though and said he would take payments.
  :saywhat:    :p
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: ishoot4thrills on March 29, 2009, 09:43:00 PM
I had forgotten that I, too, had a Necedah years ago. I remember being very satisfied with it as well.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: JRY309 on March 29, 2009, 09:51:00 PM
I have two Martin Savannah's and they are both great shooters.They are fine by me,I have had quite a few Martin's.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: sethdiggs on March 29, 2009, 11:05:00 PM
My only bow is a Damon Howatt and its fine for me!
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: bear1336 on March 30, 2009, 10:02:00 AM
I have shot Bear bows since the early 60's and I own some custom bows and the Bear bows shoot just fine for me.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Jeremy on March 30, 2009, 10:43:00 AM
All I shoot right now are factory bows... 'course, they all came out of the factory before 1960  ;)
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: George D. Stout on March 30, 2009, 10:47:00 AM
You may look at old factory bows in a different light once you get trounced a time or two on the range by someone shooting an old Shakespeare, Bear, Wing, Howatt, etc.    :saywhat:    :p
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Frank V on March 30, 2009, 12:00:00 PM
Thanks for all the replys Ladies & Gentlemen. I have a couple custom bows too, but I'm really getting to like my Super-K,however my primary bow is a Hill Big 5. Frank
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Dave Worden on March 30, 2009, 03:56:00 PM
I shoot Shakespeare Super Necedahs and love them.  Pretty, no stack, and they put the arrows where I point them.  Too bad I don't always point them in the right direction!!!
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: acadian archer on March 30, 2009, 04:20:00 PM
I shoot a Chek Mate Kings Pawn Deluxe, 41 lb and can't wait to start shooting again. Broke the elbow in February and it will be some time before I can get to full draw.

I don't think it matters what you shoot, as long as you hit what you're aiming for LOL
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: BobW on March 30, 2009, 04:51:00 PM
Any factory bows set up for 56# @ 32?  How about 59# @ 32"?  Any factory bow really want to consider a draw of 32"???????  Silence........    :saywhat:  Heck, I've even had custom makers say "no thanks".....
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: WESTBROOK on March 30, 2009, 07:56:00 PM
Not too many like a 30" draw either, dont find many Hill style bows either. Did have one production bow I should have kept, an Earl Hoyt Sky Hawk, that was a nice bow!

Oh yea, make mine a lefty.

Eric
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Bear Heart on March 30, 2009, 10:41:00 PM
Don't get me wrong, I have a '64 Bear Polar on the rack and my wife has a 68 Pearson hunter.  I just think when it comes to new bows there are better products out there.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: BowHuntingFool on March 30, 2009, 11:50:00 PM
I have a Bear Montana Longbow that shoots great, I really enjoy it!
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: wharvey on March 31, 2009, 12:14:00 AM
Both of my traditional bows are factory, Howatts. Wouldn't mind a custom bow but my two factory bows do all that I want.  I am thinking of making me a long bow this summer. Undecided if I want to do an all wood or glass laminate. Could even start with a bow bland from Dryad. Just haven't decided yet.
Title: Re: Who shoots factory bows?
Post by: Ssamac on March 31, 2009, 01:40:00 AM
I love my Wing recurves, so do my boys. Have em from 25# and up. Bears are special too. Martin is a nice bow, nothing near an old Wing for downright speed and power, but reliable. Good people to deal with too. Had one or two customs and the makers both went under. Good bows.

sam