Who shoots factory bows?

[Frank V]

I just bought a Bear Super-K & am having a ball tuning & shooting it. Factory suggests a 8"-9" brace height & I've found mine likes a 9" brace height. It was unforgiving & noisy till I got to 9" then quieted down & became very easy to shoot. I bought it for nostalgic reasons as I started with a Bear bow in the 60s & wanted to experience shooting a Bear again. Now I'm really getting to like this bow. It won't replace my HH, but will become a hunting bow. Anyone else? Frank

[suttoman]

I  had a few Martin bows there for a while but found them pretty ordinary.  Then I had a fling there for a long time with custom bows.  They cost me a fortune but I ended up with two nice ones - my Jim Jones bow and my Turkey Creek.

However the best of them all and the bow I use all the time is a factory bow - my new Pittsley Predator.  What an awesome bow.  Fit and finish just as good as my customs and the wonderful thing is I don't have to send the riser off if I wish to order new limbs - just buy them and whack them on.

There are benefits of a factory bow - some of the small companies I bought bows off have closed down and are no longer in business.  Not so good if you want replacements or have warranty issues.  A lot of the smaller guys working two jobs took ages to get back to me and answer emails.  However working with a company like Pittsley has been great - awesome service and the best recurve bow in the business.

Sutto

[Zach Mikita]

I also shoot a Bear SK and love it!  My buddy shoots a Black Widow and to be honest I would much rather shoot my bow than his.  I want to invest in a newer, nicer bow and I'm on the fence of factory or hand-made...I really have no access to shoot different types of bows where I live so I'm just taking my time.  I shot the Hoyt Dorado yesterday at a local dealer and it is one of the smoothest bows I have ever shot...period.

[Ben Maher]

Frank....i'm a Hill shooter but am currently having an affair with a Hoyt Dorado....a sweet sweet shooter. I've had many "production" bows inc Bears and Martins/Howatts. my old Super K  was one of the sweetest bows i've ever shot and my Martin Hunter threw a heavy arrow with amazing speed and accuracy. like you i'm enjoying going back to the 'curve just like my younger days when afield i'd have a strung Bear  or Hoyt Pro Hunter....my Hills are getting jealous.....

[vtmtnman]

That's all I've ever had is production bows.I LOVE my grizzly,but I shot some customs recently and they pretty much ruined me.lol  

[Bear Heart]

My issue with some "factory" bows is that they charge way more than a custom bow.  Just look at what Bear take downs cost.

[VA Bowbender]

Here's some of mine.  I have to make an updated pict

 ure with the rest, someday.

[tarponnut]

I love my Martin(Hatfield) and Bear bows. Both shoot great, I own a "custom" bow but always go back to that Martin for hunting.

[Dartwick]

Do you consider Black Widow and A&H to be factory bows?


Note: This isnt a slam at either, in the slightest. I think they are great bows and I would be happy to own either.

[Killdeer]

 
Bears, Pearsons, Howatts, Herters, what's not to like?

Killdeer  

[VA Bowbender]

Originally posted by Bear Heart:
My issue with some "factory" bows is that they charge way more than a custom bow.  Just look at what Bear take downs cost.

Ain't that the truth!
The last I read I think this one was $4000.00

 

[ishoot4thrills]

I had a Bear Montana LB and it was a great factory bow. My Predator II recurve was made by Darton when Pittsley worked for them, so I guess that makes it a factory production bow.

[George D. Stout]

You guys picked the two most expensive Bear bows in the history of the company.  There are other factory bows, so I'm not sure how that could be an issue.   Bear made myriad other models that shot great and got plenty of folks into archery.
If you asked this question forty years ago, the answer would have been, "just about everyone."

By the way....my expensive Shakespeare Necedah shoots great and I paid $77.00 for it.  The guy was nice though and said he would take payments.
     :p

[ishoot4thrills]

I had forgotten that I, too, had a Necedah years ago. I remember being very satisfied with it as well.

[JRY309]

I have two Martin Savannah's and they are both great shooters.They are fine by me,I have had quite a few Martin's.

[sethdiggs]

My only bow is a Damon Howatt and its fine for me!

[bear1336]

I have shot Bear bows since the early 60's and I own some custom bows and the Bear bows shoot just fine for me.

[Jeremy]

All I shoot right now are factory bows... 'course, they all came out of the factory before 1960  

[George D. Stout]

You may look at old factory bows in a different light once you get trounced a time or two on the range by someone shooting an old Shakespeare, Bear, Wing, Howatt, etc.        :p

[Frank V]

Thanks for all the replys Ladies & Gentlemen. I have a couple custom bows too, but I'm really getting to like my Super-K,however my primary bow is a Hill Big 5. Frank