Dogleg Grizzly advice

[ckruse]

Just picked up a pretty slick looking 1963 Grizzly. It is a 45# bow. It appears to have been a factory refinish as indicated by the "star" stamp. Currently awaiting it's arrival.  I know there are several dogleg experts on here, was just wondering if everything looks ok, it should be safe to shoot. I have a 63 Dogleg Cub I shoot all the time, but I know problems varied from model to model, with the short bows (magnums) alleged to be the worst to break. Just looking for a little expert advice. By the way, the zig-zag riser calls to me like a moth to the flame, this is a SICKNESS!!

Thanks, Cameron

[tonto]

The grizzly is not said to be a problem. is it the earlier or later model? I have shot a later model but my earlier model Ive not shot as it was in rough shape when i bought it. I have all the 63s but the type 1 kmag.
Dean

[PAPALAPIN]

CAMERON

To the best of my knowledge, I have never heard of a dogleg Grizzly being a problem bow.

Many are under the impression that all doglegs should never be shot.  This is not correct.

Again, to the best of my knowledge, the only doglegs that were problem bows were the 1963 52" KODIAK MAGNUMS TYPES I & II.  It was because there was not enough glass and lamination contacting the riser to make it a solid bond.  When the TYPE I's started cracking up, Bear came out with the TYPE II to replace them on warranty.  The amount of glass and lamination contact was more than the TYPE I, but still not enough to solve the problem. They then issued the TYPE III which not only solved the problem, but are still shootable today.

I know there are a lot of '63 60" Kodiak doglegs out there than many will not shoot because of the reputation of the "DOGLEGS".  I have never heard of anyone having problems with these bows and they are as shootable as the '64's or any other KODIAKS.  Many people consider the 63 & 64 KODIAKS to be the best shooting hunting bows that Bear ever made.

Have a ball with your Grizzly.  It is a shooter - shoot it.  HOWEVER, as with any older bow, check it out really well for any signs of delamination or cracks.  Don't worry about any hazing or lateral stress cracks.  These will not effect the bow.

Like you, I love the lines ofthe old doglegs, especially the looks of the 52" TYPE I MAGNUM, and the 60" KODIAK.

Your GRIZZLY is probably a 58".  It is a shame they did not make that bow in Bubinga.  It would have been beautiful.  The hardrock maple riser looks kind of plain, but the idea was to keep that one cheaper and more affordable.  They are great bows nd solid shooters.

[ckruse]

Thanks for the help and advice. The bow is a 62" Grizzly with the leather grip. I'll try to post or link to a pic. I believe all the 63's were 62" AMO. The serial number is in the gold paint and has what looks to be a Roman numeral II at the end. As I stated before it also has the star stamp. I will have it in hand by Friday, and I'll update. I also got what looks to be a really clean 69 Grizzly in the auction. It is the one year they put them out in 56" AMO. It is a 40# bow. Thanks again guys!

[PAPALAPIN]

CAMERON

Again, to the best of my knowledge, I think the STAR STAMP indicated a factory second, or blemished bow.  This is not to say that it is not a safe, solid shooter.  Back when bows were really being massed produced, Quality Control would inspect each one.  Any that did not meet the manufacturors standard of quality, but was still a solid bow, would be maekd as a second and sold cheaper, with full warranty.

In 1963 I got my first RED WING HUNTER and it was marked "blemished".  I used it for 8 months.  I had it laying in the sun on a hot summer day and the upper limb just snapped in half. I retured it to Wing Archery with an explanation of what happened and they replaced it at no charge with a brand new non-blemished bow.  

As I said before, make sure you give it a good eyeball inspection for any problems before you string it.  Once strung, flex it a bit cautiously.  Then pull it to full draw listining for any strange sounds like creaks or cracking.  If it make it past your first couple of shots, it should be good to go.

Grizzlys ran the gambet from 56" to 62".  Never could keep straight what years were what lengths.

ENJOY IT.

[ckruse]

This is incomplete as of yet, but has been some assistance,(along with you guys, and the TBM articles) in identifying Bear bows. Check it out if you haven't yet.
 http://www.fredbear-online.com/

[mullet]

Jack,I read somewhere,maybe on the above post website.That the star meant it was sent back,and was fixed at the factory and usually the serial # was taken off.I still have that dogleg.eddie

[PAPALAPIN]

MULLET

You are probably right.  Thanks for the correction.

Never to old to learn something.  That makes sense.  Many of Bears "blemished" bows were camo painted and sold for $5.00 more that the regular list price.  In any case, I would not be concerned about shooting them.

[ckruse]

DOGLEG GRIZZLY UPDATE:

After a careful checking over, and a start on getting it cleaned up, I have strung it, set it up, and been doing lots of shooting! It's pretty clear that the only thing getting torn up is some feathers and nocks!

It's a really beautiful bow. I can tell you for sure there are at least two variations in the dogleg grizzly. I have seen several with one piece of wood in the riser, and a couple like the one I got. It has the "I" beam through the center of the riser. Looks like bubinga. I'm not sure what the rest of the riser wood is. It's a little dark to be hardrock maple like my Cub. The 63 catalog says tropical walnut. I'm going to get some pics tomorrow and would like to send all of you a picture or two. The 68 56" Grizzly I got with it turned out to be great also. It has that Shedua wood that really shimmers in the right light. Yes I have the illness! I need a few more bows!!! Thanks to all for your help, knowledge, and advice. CKruse

PS: I think I'm going to the woods with the 63 Grizzly tomorrow!

[mullet]

Good luck with the illness and the woods.eddie

[PAPALAPIN]

As far as the "ILLNESS" goes, there is no known cure that I know of.  It will not kill you but it can be devastating to your financial health.  You have a couple of collectible bows there.  Enjoy them

[cast away]

I have a griz dog leg and it shoots fine . . . ENJOY!

[oldbohntr]

I've had a couple dogleg Grizzlies and still have two 60" Kodiaks about 55#.  No problem with any of them and the Kodiaks are especially great shooters.

[ckruse]

Update! I have 2 dogleg Grizzlys now, a type 1 and a type 2. Both are great shooters. I also have a Kodiak, and a Kodiak Magnum type 3. All are shooters. I've got about 20 or so Grayling Bear bows now. It's a disease I tell you! CKruse