amf wing falcon 35lb

[smokie999]

I have just been given the above bow and I know nothing about the make .Hoping some one can enlighten me about it . The limbs on the bow are a light cream colour if that helps. Would it be safe to shoot as it looks in very good condition but I have read the AMF bows are prone to breakage. Model number as far as I can tell is 7L-2201 the 7 has a line through it as like the germans do a 7 but it could also be taken an f

[Amberjack]

No way to tell you without looking at the bow.
Pictures would get us closer.  Get the limb tips and the arrow shelf.

Have you strung it yet?

Jack

[smokie999]

[smokie999]

I have strung the bow and have a brace height of 71/2" on the bow ,do not know if that is correct .I have drawn the bow a few times and all seems fine .The bow looks virtually unused

[Sam McMichael]

I haven't heard of a proclivity  toward breakage on Wing's bows made when owned by AMF. I have a Red Wing Hunter made prior to AMF taking over the company, and it is great. It would seem that the bow you have should be good to shoot unless there is actual damage to it. I hope that is the case for you.

[smokie999]

I
        Hi Jacob;



        As the history has been related to me by Matt Severtson (another Straight Arrow member who knew Frank), Ketchum designed the Thunderbird for Wing. But when Frank recommended they make the riser handle thicker due to the problems with potential breakage, AMF (as they did with many other sports and leisure companies they bought up and managed) did not listen to him. Thus, the Thunderbird had a reputation for breaking in half due to an sub-standard riser strength.

        How do I know, you might ask? That Thunderbird that was my first bow that I mentioned broke right in half at the riser on me in the summer of 1979. It had less than 1000 shots on it and I was fortunate I was not seriously injured. I got the rest of the story from the older members of the Redding club after that happened (and I bought a Hoyt recurve Olympic bow). If you still have the bow, it is rare, but I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU DON'T SHOOT IT. The decision, of course is yours.

        Thomas Barefoot

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
    April 14th, 2016, 03:47 PM #5
    Unclegus's Avatar
    Unclegus
    Unclegus is offline Registered User

    Join Date
        May 2003
    Location
        Rupert, WV
    Posts
        6,414   

        I remember the Wing well. I was a barebow shooter back in the seventies and lot of the barebow shooters shot the 58" wings. the risers were sure bad about breaking. Wanted one till I saw a few people get their bell rung with them.

     

[smokie999]

above is the post from Archery Talk that made me dubious about the bow

[Amberjack]

I hadn't heard that specific issue with AMF/Wing but AMF did have a 'cost-cutting' reputation with a number of companies they owned.

As far as that particular bow, it looks to be in near mint condition from your pictures.
If there are no cracks, horizontal stress marks or delams I'd string it up and shoot it.
Check for limb twist too.

35# is a pretty soft shooter. 

Jack

[smokie999]

Many thanks for the replies, will be taking it to the range tonight to put some arrows through it .There is no bow hunting allowed in UK so 35lb is not a problem .Any info on the serial number of the bow would be welcome ,I would like to know approx age

[hardbern]

Most probably dates from '74 or '75.
AMF closed Wing down in '75.

The 66" Falcon was introduced in '74, distributed in the UK by Perris.

Interestingly ;-) I also have a 66" AMF Falcon with serial no. close to yours
....& I'm in Scotland too!

[smokie999]

I am in Pitlochry what is your location .Took the bow to the club and some of the other archers sent a few arrows down range with it and the general concensus was that it was in excellent condition and should be used .Problem for me is it is a right hand bow and I shoot l/h .

[hardbern]

i'm down in the Borders ....
my Falcon has the same arrow rest & pass as yours & looks to be be in similar condition although
i haven't got around to shooting mine yet ....or even putting a string on it .... only had it since Dec '17 ;-)