What is it about Widows?

[Longrifleman]

A friend of mine just got one that he let me shoot. I liked it well enough to buy my own. (both are PSA recurves) To the guys that have them, what do you think is the reason they are more accurate than other bows? I have several other bows, but the only one so far that is almost as accurate is a Fedora 560. I think that it might be the widow's smaller handle size, which makes it harder to torque the bow during the shot, but I'm not sure. I'd really like to hear opinions from others THAT ACTUALLY HAVE ONE, and have shot other bows as well.

[BMejia]

If we knew the secret it would not be a secret anymore!  

I have been shooting them exclusively for about 11 years now though I am not exactly sure why, all I know is I have never shot a bow that I liked as much as my BWs.

Just roll with it!

[wtpops]

What i have learnd from shooting my widow for the past few years and my other bows, ACS/CX and Boarder Black Douglas is the built in forgivness in the widow, it hides some of my miner form flaws.

When i shot my widow for a few months then pick up my ACS i cant hit the side of a barn( not quite that bad but my groups do grow quite a bit). I work on my form and in a week or two my groups are back to where i want them.

You still have to do your part with the widow but with its forgiving design it does hide some imperfections in form. Just my take on it.

I do love shooting my widow but when i get my form down (which it should be any way)my ACS and Border will drive tacks.

[smilinicon]

When I compare my PL to my other R/D longbow, the PL seems to have better "mass" for lack of a better word.

When I shoot my PL and Hill-style bows back to back, the PL feels like I'm cheating as it is so much smoother.

I don't think they are more accurate than other bows.

When I ordered my last one in mid May, the order number was over 4000. They make a LOT of bows and know how to do it right.

[kat]

I shoot mainly widows.  That being said; there is no magic in the bows.
Black Widow makes a great bow.  It is not the fastest. Arguably is not the best looking bow.  They sell as many as they do, because they are a solidly built bow with a short build time, and unbeatable customer service.IMO.
I have to agree with 'wtpops'. They have a very forgiving design.
No magic.  Just a very well built bow.

[R. W. Mackey]

Thats a pretty bold statement, saying they are more accurate than other bows. I have two of them and have owned probably six more over the years, I like them alot, especially the new PCH, but I shoot other bows just as well. I would think it has alot to do with each individuals shooting style, some bows just fit well, has alot to do with grip, and how big someones hands are but more than that, The guys that have been doing this a long time, know what works and what doesn't or they wouldn't still be in business. Bowyers like Widow, Robinson, Morrison, Johnson, Penner, and others all make quality bows that can be shot very well by lots of folks. Mabye the Widow just fits you the best, Isn't it a great time to be a Traditional Archer, our choices for quality equipment has never been greater.  RW

[ron w]

They are no "more accurate" than any other, just solid ,well made bows that you can count on day in and day out!! You love'm or hate'm!!!

[KentuckyTJ]

I had a SA for years, fantastic bows. I believe it is mass weight and the grip to be very simple answering your question. With that said I have found a few others with the same accuracy/forgiveness factor as the widows and are as fast and quieter to boot.

[schlaggerman]

Combination of factors; 1)Deflex riser design 2)Good mass weight in the riser 3)High brace height 4) Natural pointability. Like others have said, "Built in forgiveness". We all have our little shooting flaws, especially in hunting situations. When the pressure is on seldom do we shoot with picture perfect form. If the bow's design can help me out in pressure moments I'm all for that. I've got other things to worry about when I have an animal in front of me than proper back tension and follow through.

[Sixby]

As said , the Widow has a lot of attributes that are inherent in the design that make it a forgiving shooter,. I sincerely have my doubts that is more accurate than most other bows of the same basic foreward riser design. Great bows and a great company though.
God bless you all, Steve

[Moon]

I have a PSA II and I think the reason they are so accurate, as you say, is because of the longer brace height.  The arrow is off the string sooner, therefore it's more forgiving of shooter errors.  It's a great shooting bow no doubt, but so are my Palmers, Bob Lee and Quinn Stallion recurves.  Shoot them all and have fun and that's what it's all about.

[Moon]

I have a PSA II and I think the reason they are so accurate, as you say, is because of the longer brace height.  The arrow is off the string sooner, therefore it's more forgiving of shooter errors.  It's a great shooting bow no doubt, but so are my Palmers, Bob Lee and Quinn Stallion recurves.  Shoot them all and have fun and that's what it's all about.

[frassettor]

I enjoy my Widows, but they only shoot as good as I am able to shoot them.  

[Bowwild]

I have 3 Widows and like them all very much. My favorite is the one-piece PAX. The grip feels very good to me and the heft of the bow is a delight, especially during follow-through.

Honestly though, If I shot groups out of any one of 9-10 brands I own without knowing which bow it was (impossible, I know) I would expect the groups to be very similar.

I have one bow that I think is inherently more accurate than any of the others I own. I think it is because this bow has a tiny and very well-designed grip. However, there isn't a splinter of exotic wood in this bow which is a big bummer to me.

[Shawn Leonard]

Sorry but it the shooter as long as any of todays bows produced by top bowyers are set up and tuned properly with well matched arrows than they are all very accurate more accurate than we can shoot them. I like Widows and have owned 5 or 6 but they are no more accurate than say a Robertson, RER, Silvertip and on and on and on and on. Shawn

[Friend]

1.   My 1st experience with a BW was several years ago and the two of us were a mismatch mainly due to me idiosyncrasies and not the bow’s- but nonetheless, still a mismatch.
2.   Found the bow to be extremely well crafted and sturdy.
3.   The BW design has remained one of my favorites for great personal curb appeal.
4.    Like the built in features which promote forgiveness.
5.   Found both their technical and customer support team to be excellent.

If a bow is a personal mismatch, it matters not what is on paper, what designs are incorporated or what others say.

I always keep in mind that the bow must be a pleasure for me to shoot in conjunction with other personally specified qualities. I could shoot the standard grip quite well but only while using a straight high wrist. The straight hi wrist is not my cup of tea when fully enjoying the execution of nice shot.  Perhaps after establishing which grip is well suited for me, then I may again, give them a go.

Traditional for me is the unity of bow and man, together producing a clean and fluid shot execution thus emanating elevated fulfillment and supreme gratification. Traditional – The consummate experience.

The BW is a bow most worthy of consideration.

[Ben Maher]

I consider them much like Howard Hill bows.

*Great bow company's with a long and solid history

*the people that have them tend to love them. The people that don't can't understand why ?

*great forgiving shooters...if the bowman does his part...much like any other bow!

* outstanding customer service with quick turn around.

These attributes can be said of many bows, bowyers and company's...but for some of us the past experience with Widow has been a positive one that can be repeated with quick turn around , great warranty and a darn fine shooting bow.

Mind you, i can also say the same of Hill, Sky, Miller and Tomahawk.

But I love my Widows.......

[Dave Earley]

had one and sold it; my Fedora handle is way more inherantly accurate, IMHO

[frassettor]

Originally posted by Shawn Leonard:
Sorry but it the shooter as long as any of todays bows produced by top bowyers are set up and tuned properly with well matched arrows than they are all very accurate more accurate than we can shoot them. I like Widows and have owned 5 or 6 but they are no more accurate than say a Robertson, RER, Silvertip and on and on and on and on. Shawn

I agree 100%!!