older bear recurves

[hunt4life]

just getting back to the traditional thing after a break. im looking to pick up a older bear recurve in a lower weight to start out with again. everything i have right now is just too heavy.

are there any particular years or models to stay away from that prove to have problems? i dont want to get stuck with a lemon, thats all.

i also assume most of the older ones are dacron only, right?

thanks, adam

[30coupe]

If you pick up a 60s or 70s Bear, you should be fine no matter the model. Yes, they are dacron only! I would look for a longer model for a smoother draw and less finger pinch, 58" or above. The short Magnums are handy but do have a fair amount of finger pinch.

I'm kind of partial to the Black Bear 60" recurve. I've had several and all were very nice bows. I still have one, though it is pretty ugly as bows go, but it's my bowfishing rig, so pretty doesn't matter so much. My daughter shoots a 45# Black Bear and loves it. Her's is also much nicer looking than mine.

It's hard to go wrong with a Grizzly either. They are easier to find, but tend to run a little higher in price.

I don't know of any real lemons in that era. Maybe someone else does, but I doubt it. Bears were solid bows at that time.

[portugeejn]

I have 3 late 60s early 70s Grizzly bows, and I like them (I have 3!).  


RonP

[cacciatore]

The Grizzly are good shooters and cost around $140-200 depending from the year.The Kodiak are very stable and accurate shooters but they cost around the double.A good compromise could be the Kodiak Hunter.While the kodiak Magnum is a little jewel but at 52" it needs some accurate shooting.Anyway you can't go wrong with any and resell for the same price.

[jcar315]

Bear bows are a great starting point. Hard to go wrong. I have TOO many of them if you ask my wife! Dacron only is correct. Pick one that strikes your fancy and works within your budget.

Fred made great stuff! Good Luck.

[bow'narrow]

Might not want to go too far back with a vintage bow.  I have a l952 Grizzly (after Fred's aluminum lam disaster).  Both the late Al Reader and the Bear Archery Co. have told me not to string or shoot this bow as the glue is not very effective anymore.

[Reaper TN]

Nothing wrong with any of the old Bears but, why limit yourself.  There are alot of old recurves out there that shoot just as good and are cheaper and easy to find now.  Wing, Martin, Hoyt, Shakespeare, Pearson just to name a few. I have picked up a few Wings lately and they are great bows, and I have a Shakespeare Ocala from the late 60's that I will never get rid of because of how good it shoots.

[ksbowman]

Reaper is right on. There are alot of excellent shooting bows in different brands available that are very reasonably priced.Don't limit yourself by having tunnel vision on only one brand.  Ben

[Mack Marine]

Love those Bears, stated getting hooked on Pearson's too! (Colt-Mustang)

[SELFBOW19953]

If possible, go to one of the many "classic" shoots going on this time of year.  Lots of vendors selling used bows, all makes, all models, and most will let you try a bow, or several.

[bushytail]

Now is a good time to go to traditional 3-D shoots.Most of the time there is vendors there that will let you try them.Get what fits you,and you`ll enjoy it alot more.And don`t forget about the yard sales and flee markets.I bought a Wing bow for $25 one time.

[Pointer]

hunt4life...you really cant go wrong with those old bear recurves. I love the late 60's and early 70"s models. My bear td shoots right along with my best custom bows.

[mahantango]

Another great, but overlooked Bear is the Tigercat. Usually go for 125$ or so. I agree, don't get hung up on only Bear bows. Howatts and Wings are often better shooters, and Pearsons are good solid shooters for way less money.

[NancyVTAS]

I love my 3--'56 kodiaks, my '57 kodiak and my 3--'56 kodiak speceils   hard to beat   Dick

[LookMomNoSights]

I have 2 1972 Bear Kodiak Mags that I would never part with....40# @ 28 and 45# @ 28.   I love these 2 little bows - they shoot awesome!  I did pay a tad more for them than I wanted to,  but they are MINT condition,  and hey....Im thinking years later Ill be glad I secured them when I did!  In my shopping for these little jewels,  I noticed something right away ....there were many out there in great to mint condition,  but they had the 2 little pin holes on the back of the riser where a sight was mounted.  This was very common.  Although not a total eye sore(in my opinion anyway),  and while not compromising the function and integrity of the bow,  it seems the asking prices were quite a bit lower as many people find the wholes undesirable.  You may consider this and be able to overlook the microscopic holes and get a great deal on a near mint old shooter of a Bear!  Just a thought  

[Bjorn]

Older Bears are a great choice from a shooting and a resale point of view. Stick with the Kodiaks pre 1967 if you can.