Bear vs Martin

Goodegg · 01-06-2006, 12:40 PM

What is everyone's opinion on who makes the best mass-produced recurves today ... Bear or Martin? Any opinions on the Martin Mamba or the Martin Hunter?

longbowman2 · 01-06-2006, 01:14 PM

It's all in your feel. I've shot bull elk, bear, mulies and whitetails with both and they all died the same way. If I could get a Bear T.D. in 75# I'd shoot it exclusively but instead I shoot my hunter instead. They are both very good bows but there's more range of weights in the Martin line.

Troy F. · 01-06-2006, 02:36 PM

Martin is the better of the two. Bear is not the bow it once was.

LBR · 01-06-2006, 04:26 PM

Of the new ones I've shot, I'm partial to Martin, but the prices on both are getting on up there. I like an old Bear or Pearson as well or better than any of the newer Bear or Martin bows I've shot.

Chad

Arthur P · 01-06-2006, 06:00 PM

I have to agree with the comments about Martin, and that today's Bear is not the samequality of bows they were making 20-30 years ago.

Whether the Mamba or the Hunter, I can't either one is 'better' than the other. Both are fine bows. That's a personal preference thing. If you draw more than 29" with either of them, you'll run into some issues with stack.

The only issue I've had with Martin over the years isthey aren't always marked with their actual draw weight. Some I've run into are actually 5-10 pounds heavier than marked.

mossyoakshootout · 01-06-2006, 10:14 PM

My brother has a bear and we know people who have Martins. They are all nice bows. However, I found that Checkmate bows seemed to be much nicer and were basically the same price. They are also available in clear glass which adds much to the look of the bow. Hope you find what you want!

huntingfortails · 01-07-2006, 10:20 AM

hey I have a Martin x-200 and I think it works like a dream. My dad has a bear that we got used so it's one of the older models. I would have to agree with Troy F. Bear is not what it used to be so if you ended up getting one I would go used. I would go Martin though.

Nick
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Weapon - Martin recurve X-200
Target - Turkey and any small game
Example - Gobble! Gobble!>---->zing