These days, when we say longbow we have to be specific. Hybrid, or reflex-deflex flatbows are currently very popular, and with good reason ... and they are considered longbows. I own two (plus a dozen I've made myself, which don't count in this discussion): a Black Widow PLIII, and a Thunderhorn. Both are 62" and 55# at 28", and both shoot right at 190 fps with 500-grain arrows. The BW wants to be loud and is a challenge to silence, while the Thunderhorn is the quietest bow I've ever shot at that speed. Could be the strings, different kinds of flast flight, have something to do with it. Anyhow, yes, there are many r-d longbows today that are comparable in speed and quietness (or lack thereof) to recurves, and have semi-recurve style grips. I think the hybrids embody the best of both designs. dave