Which one would you choose......?

[Big Shot]

New here, and this will be my first trad bow....... Had been shooting compound at 27"/53#

Both bows will run about $100

Herter's International Match Hunter (from ****, price is with shipping)
32@28 ---  from the pictures bow looks to be in near perfect shape, not sure about the year, it's not listed (anyone know how to tell be the serial number??)
 

Tim Meigs (local, so no shipping)
37#28 ---  Tips are in great shape, no noticeable twisting in the limbs, some minor dings in the riser and glass, no stress cracks, again not sure about exact age and couldn't see the serial number in the pictures
 

[Big Shot]

Strange.....  does the sight not allow links to pictures from e-bay??  The pics of the Herters didn't come out.

[Big Shot]

hmmm, ok, lets try this....

       

There, the one pic is small, but you can see the limbs are straight

[Killdeer]

It was made in 1977.
Trad Gang has a policy about links to &^$% (I spelled it different) so they can't be displayed here.

Just curious, why are you going for bows in the thirties? I hasten to add that most compound shooters get a bow that is the same weight as their compound was, and learn rather quickly that 50 pounds of trad is harder to do than 50 pounds of compound. It is refreshing to see someone with the sense to step it down a notch when making the switch.

The Herters bows are excellent, but I have never shot a bow made by Tim Meigs.

Killdeer  

[vermonster13]

Meigs makes a good bow and it always good to be able to see it in person before laying out cash. Herters are solid bows but on the auction site you roll the dice when buying.

[sswv]

what vermonster13 said!

[Steelhead]

Tim miegs is known for building excellant bows and has been a bowyer for a very very long time.I would expect it to shoot very well.At 66 inches it should be very easy shooting and also has good mass to the riser.That should help as well.I would put a feather rest on it or or Bear weatherest if you buy it.Its a nice looking bow and pretty rare.The price is very good IMO.A 10 or 12 strand B-50 string would work well on it.

[portugeejn]

Having purchased good bows and a bad bow on ****, I'd go with the Tim Miegs bow that you can see (plus no concern if it will get damaged in shipping)

RonP

[Big Shot]

Thanks for the advice guys, I am thinking that the Meigs is probably the best too, specially since I can get to see it in person before buying.

[Big Shot]

Another question about these two....  how well would a feather rest work on them?

   

Edit to add:  HAH!!!!, just noticed the comment above saying to go with one.......  

[George D. Stout]

What you have against the side of the rest is more important than what the arrow rides on.  The feather rest is okay, but I would put a pressure point like a piece of leather under a leather side plate to limit side contact.  Either bow is a good choice and I agree with the light weight...a solid, sensible choice to learn to shoot with good form.

By the way, I've only ever received one bow that wasn't what I expected on the big auction.  Caveat Emptor on any purchase unseen, but at least you have a feedback forum to go by and many sellers who have been there for quite a long time.  I am very happy with the big E, but I only buy with good feedback and only with Paypal.

[Big Shot]

Originally posted by George D. Stout:
but I would put a pressure point like a piece of leather under a leather side plate to limit side contact.

In other words to act like a Berger button of sorts??

 

Originally posted by George D. Stout:
but I only buy with good feedback and only with Paypal.

Couldn't agree with that statement more, always cautious on there

[Billy]

Not a button effect.
What George suggested would be like a paper match under a piece of leather. The match causes a vertical 'bump'.
The 'bump' would then, being the high point; cause the arrow to contact a smaller portion of the riser and even the shelf; if you did it there as well.
Hope that makes sense....

[Big Shot]

Made perfect sense, thanks

[30coupe]

Herter's are good bows. I bought a Model Perfection in 1974, and my oldest son still shoots it. I don't know about the Meigs, but I have heard good things about the bowyer. Like others here, I have bought bows on the auction and had good results. I would be surprised if the Herter's goes for less than $100 though. They tend to be in the $150+ range if they are in as good of shape as this one.

Also, a bow in the hand...

Will the owner let you shoot it? That would tell you a lot more.

[Big Shot]

Yeah, in fact I am meeting him at a local range tomorrow check out the Meigs one.  He said that way I could send a few down range to decide.

[Steelhead]

A feahter rest would work excellant on either bow.Do to the flat shelf.I use one on a 1959 kodiak and get excellant arrow flight.Thatcombined with the suggestion of a raised pressure point on the strikeplate and you will be good to go.

[30coupe]

Actually, the Meigs looks like it has a Pararest on it now. That should work pretty well just the way it is. If you want to get it closer to your hand, then I'd do the raised pressure point under a piece of leather on the shelf or the feather rest. The leather will last longer.

I used a pararest for years with no problems. I just made sure it was mounted as low as possible. Give it a good try just the way it is before you decide. Let us know how it shoots!

[atomic archer]

We may end up getting both (I'm Big Shot's wife).  We're thinking about the Herters for me....but have a few other possibilities as well.  

Thanks for all the advice!

[bowhunterfrompast]

That's what I would do, get them both    I had a hard time trying to pick just one, eany, meany , miney , moe