Black Widow PL Longbow Owners

[Ben Maher]

Denny - those Europeans are crazy good shooters …
These guys are amazing eh !

They are a big deal in Europe …. They sure could be shooting those long heavy risered longbows out there …. But they choose Widows ! (Love the fact that they still shoot split too - gives me hope 😎😎😎

[Maclean]

I picked up a PL III earlier this year on the used market. Autumn Oak 62", 58# @ 28". At my DL of 27" I'm pulling about 55#. It shoots beautifully, quiet, fast and smooth.
I was intrigued when I read that someone had Black Widow reduce the draw weight on an existing bow. My question is - do they still do this and is it expensive?
I can shoot this bow just fine at my DL, but if I could reduce the draw weight closer to 50# I would be stoked.

[Maclean]

Started shooting PLs in 2005. They are very forgiving built like a tank, quiet and shoot pretty much the same for me as my PTF recurve. When my bow shoulder started acting up in 2017, I had Widow take a few pounds off of my PLIII and my PLV. In 2020 I sold them both as my doc has limited me to no more than 45#. I'm getting on the list for a new PLIII that will be 43#-45# at my draw length. I've own over a dozen (maybe closer to 2 dozen) other longbows, but the PL shoots the best for me.
I hate to admit to such a stupid mistake, but in Colorado on and Elk hunt in 2013, I laid my PL with the upper limb tip against my truck against my license plate and the lower limb tip on the ground. My buddy and I were straightening up camp and a thunderstorm rolled in. Wind was blowing pretty hard, so I jumped in the truck to back it away from the treeline as there were limbs being blown down from the dead pines. I threw it in reverse and truck wouldn't move backwards more than a few inches before the tires would spin. I was just putting it in to 4WD when my buddy yelled that I was backing over my bow! I pulled forward and he grabbed the bow and then I moved the truck. We got in the tent, and I looked the bow over. Other than mud, the bow looked fine. After the storm moved through, I grabbed a couple of judo points and (carefully) started shooting the bow, thinking it would come apart, but it shot just fine. As a matter of fact, it was one of the bows I had reduced in weight 4 years later. Did I mention PLs are built like a tank!

Mike, the PL III that I bought earlier this year (see my post above) was made for you in August 2006! Small world huh?
Was this bow one of the bows that you had Black Widow reduce the draw weight on?

[Mike Bolin]

Maclean-I believe that it has been reduced. Widow keeps fantastic records on their bows. If you called Widow with the serial number, they could tell you for sure.  I am glad that you have my old bow and that it is working well for you!

[Maclean]

Thanks Mike! It's the favorite of the 5 different longbows that I currently own. And thanks for your part in taking care of this bow, it's still in perfect condition.

[Ben Maher]

So I ordered my first after seeing Denny’s in MBB 111….
I have bought 4 more since .

I actually just got home from shooting mine at the 3D Nationals

Fast, amazing build quality and very forgiving …..

[Ben Maher]

I do Lice my Widow PL’s !!!

[Ben Maher]

Indeed I do

[Terry Green]

Nice Ben!!! Thanks for sharing.

[Wilderlife]

This thread has been fantastic, and potentially expensive!

I've already got a few nice trad bows, have just bought myself a shiny new compound to help cull critters, and before it's even arrived I've been speaking with an online friend about his PLX and now he's going to send it to me to try. How I'll manage to NOT buy it is beyond me.

[Maclean]

This thread has been fantastic, and potentially expensive!

I've already got a few nice trad bows, have just bought myself a shiny new compound to hell cull critters, and before it's even arrived I've been speaking with an online friend about his PLX and now he's going to send it to me to try. How I'll manage to NOT buy it is beyond me.

Yeah Wilderlife, you're doomed!

[Maclean]

PL update. I sent my PL III (see above posts) back to Black Widow to reduce the draw weight. It started life as a 58# @ 28, came back to me as a 53# @ 28. They completely refinished the bow and I had them put on the beavertail wrap.
Wow, what an amazing transformation! It's like a new bow and the handle wrap is a huge improvement.

It has to be said, the folks at Black Widow are second to none. I've rarely had a more positive and rewarding experience. They exceeded expectations at every opportunity. Toby said they could maybe take 3 pounds off and gave me 5. Said it would take 3 to 4 weeks and it took 9 days. And they're just so danged nice to work with.

Come September, this bow will be in my hands as I chase my beloved wapiti.

[A Lex]

Well I only own three bows, but they are each and every one a 66" Blackwidow PLX take-down longbow.

Why a Blackwidow PL longbow? They sit nice in my hand, they shoot extremely well, they hit where I look, they are smooth and quiet, they are way more than quick enough with the heavy wooden arrows I shoot, and to me, they simply look fantastic.

Just shooting them puts a smile on my face.

I can't ask much more than that.

With one of my Blackwidow PLX longbows and heavy wooden arrows, I have taken most things we have on offer here in Australia, from Bunnies to Buffalo.

And, dealing with the guys there in Nixa Missouri is a pleasure. I have found their service to be simply outstanding. Nothing but good things to say about their bows, their people, and the way they do business.

Best
Lex

[Maclean]

Lex, I'm so impressed with mine that I'm going to order a new PLX.

The only thing I haven't decided on yet is whether to get a takedown or 1 piece.

All of my bows are 1 piece longbows, I've never had a takedown.
What can you tell me about Black Widow's PL takedown system?

[MnFn]

Hey Ben,
What are the weight ranges on your PL’s?

[Ben Maher]

 I have 3 that are 64" 50# @ 29" and one 66" that is 41#

[KentuckyWolf]

Lex, I'm so impressed with mine that I'm going to order a new PLX.

The only thing I haven't decided on yet is whether to get a takedown or 1 piece.

All of my bows are 1 piece longbows, I've never had a takedown.
What can you tell me about Black Widow's PL takedown system?

Their takedown system is rock solid. There is a video of black widow trying to destroy the takedown system with a press.

The system is simple…idiot proof. No tools to use. No parts to lose. No alignment issues.

The system is dead quite. No noise. No vibrations.

It feels exactly the same as a one piece. Feels the same in the hand. Feels the same when shot.

[Maclean]

Thanks KW!

[A Lex]

Lex, I'm so impressed with mine that I'm going to order a new PLX.

The only thing I haven't decided on yet is whether to get a takedown or 1 piece.

All of my bows are 1 piece longbows, I've never had a takedown.
What can you tell me about Black Widow's PL takedown system?

Their takedown system is rock solid. There is a video of black widow trying to destroy the takedown system with a press.

The system is simple…idiot proof. No tools to use. No parts to lose. No alignment issues.

The system is dead quite. No noise. No vibrations.

It feels exactly the same as a one piece. Feels the same in the hand. Feels the same when shot.

KW nailed it Maclean
Thats almost exactly as I would have replied.
I could not have put it better 

Best
Lex

[shingobee shooter]

I don't have any close up pics of the bow,  but it's a PL 3 td, with diamondback skins. Looks awesome,  shoots better and is built like a tank. Got it last fall the day I left for a bear hunt.  Had immediately success that carried over to this year.  Love it