looking for a good first compound bow

I used to shoot with a recurve but that was quite a few years ago. I'm looking into getting back into it. Mostly target's but maybe in a year some hunting. Anyone got any good tips for a first time buyer? and do you recommend any companies specifically? thanks

 

bump

 

I just went through this, minus the recurve experience.
I have trashed shoulders from years of contact sports.
I looked and shopped and researched.
It didn't take me long to realize IBO speed is just a dick measuring contest and I didn't need to play.
I looked at new and ended up buying a used bow from a shop employee, completely outfitted.
I'm shooting it pretty good an already moved up from the 50lb draw weight I started from.
Martin Moab Pro Elite.
15lb draw weight adjustment and I started at the bottom.
Go to a reputable bow shop for setup, don't buy from a big box or online.
$.02

 

ya ive got two repaired shoulders so a compound will be a lot easier on me. theres a shop close to where i live now that im goin to check out. and hopefully be goin to cabelas in reno within the next two months. I'm still a little confused on the IBO/AMO speed but im still researching

 

dont get me wrong, i love cabelas.

just not so sure i would buy a bow from them. there are a few measurements and details that i would love a pro-shop to get right the first time. and the big-box stores just dont get the same inventory a small shop gets.

i watched a guy get setup completely wrong at a basspro once. took some doing keeping my mouth shut. i should have said something, but it just felt awkward.

 

ya im gonna check out the local shop and get my draw length measured and see what they have to say

 

Definitely get measured at a bow shop and buy something that fits you. Shoot as many bows as you can in your price range and see what feels right to you. Don't over-bow yourself. I'd stick with a bow thats adjustable from 50-60 pounds. A 60# bow will put down any game you're likely to hunt in this country. Let us know what you end up with.

 

ya i was reading that there's certain laws to how many pounds you can have in different states. so im gonna have to look into what cali's is

 

BowTech FTW!

 

There's another thread going along the same lines, shoot ALL the bows you can, no matter the brand, one will "just feel right". Look at used stuff for a bargain, as some people feel they have to have the latest, greatest ever year. Also, now is the time to buy, as prices will creep up the closer to hunting season it gets.

 

where would i be able to find used bows? and thanks for the info bought buying now

 

Most shops have used bows on hand, ask to shoot them, if you happen to find the "perfect" bow, then look on eBay or craigslist and compare prices. What ever you do, DON'T buy a rig you have not shot (or comparable).

 

is it really smart to buy off ebay tho? i mean to me i would rather spend the extra hundred bucks or whatever to buy a new one from the shop that way i know the bow is in good shape and what not

 

I love my Mathews!!!

 

the big names ive read so far are PSE, Martin, Matthews, Hoyt, Browning and Bear. Anyone have experience with any of these?

 

Hey op looks like you live in norcal...I highly recommend wilderness archery in rocklin, only place in norcal that I know of that is a mathews, hoyt, bowtech, pse dealer...great people, good advise, lots of selections...I buy all my gear from...I don't mind spending the extra money if the customer servise is great...there's also jerry's archery in stockton...never been there but I know their a mathews dealer also so im pretty sure they are a dealer for the other brands also...good luck with purchase and don't settle for something that you know your not gonna be happy with.

 

wilderness archery. X2

 

Bowtech

 

-1!

i will never step foot in that store again. they have an EXCELLENT inventory, but the store blows. they dont know shit. they sold me a bow that was set up incorrectly from the factory, and made me shoot too flimsy an arrow. tuning that bow was impossible. i took it back to them, not knowing what was wrong, but that something was wrong. they never found it. 3 months later, I FOUND it. mathews stepped up and took care of me, but that shop never ever helped.

and the shop stole the free cap that comes from my bow, and sold it to me later. i found out that every mathews comes with a free cap. again, mathews stepped up and sent me a few.

to be honest, the store is 50% for me. my other mathews, the experience ROCKED. they had a man, "JD" that worked there. master bow mechanic. he set me up, and that bow was accurate. he changes strings for me, and the bow stayed accurate. my new bow SUCKED!! the arrows would shoot around corners. sad when JD got fired or quit.

NORCAL has some great bow shops, that aint one of them.

 

Glock is badass!
There, we knew that was coming, just as helpful.