Well, I picked up the Samick Sage in 45# and I'm really impressed with the quality thus far. You can tell that they are mass-produced to be budget-friendly when you get right up close and examine it (finish could be better/rough edges here and there), but it's really a good-looking bow.

I'm using the string Samick provided, got the nock set and silencers on there and put a leather pad on the shelf. Cost me $6 all total to get it set up.

I have yet to shoot it, because I need to wait a bit to buy arrows (budget reasons) and a glove/guard and quiver. Once I get those I'll be good to go.

Now a question about practicing for the time being... would it be considered too risky to draw the bow without an arrow nocked to practice anchoring and holding for a moment? I'd be devastated if the string slipped out of my fingers and dry-fired it, but feel like it may not be an issue.

If someone tells me that I just need to wait to actually get to the range and practice there, then that's probably what I'll do.

Thanks.