What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

I' m currently shooting a Scott Mongoose off the string using a Tru Speed Nok. I have no problem hitting what I aim at out to bowhunting distances, which is all I' m concerned with, but do feel you get a cleaner release and flight by using a loop. However, I have a 28" draw and solid anchor point and don' t want to change one for the other.

I have contemplated buying a gator jaw release that has two calipers, one above and one below the nock point, to duplicate a loop release without having to shorten my draw length or change my anchor point. I have also thought about getting one of the newer type releases, such as the Fletcher Jim Dandy- http://www.fletcherarchery.com/jim-dandy.html , as the trigger is so close to the connection point I should be able to use a loop, again without having to change my bows draw length or my anchor point. But there is also a third option...

Why not use a Jim Dandy type short headed release and pick up another inch of draw length and shoot off the string like I' m currently doing only at 29" draw? I should pick up to 10 fps and more ke and have the same anchor I currently do.
I checked, there is a good inch from the Mongoose trigger to the string, so I have little doubt this is doable. I also just happen to have a 29" module for my hornet.

So, what would you do:

1- Leave things alone, they' re working fine and you hit where you aim for $0.

2- Get the Gator jaw and shoot off the string for $60.

3- Get the Jim Dandy and add a loop for $60.

4- Get the Jim Dandy and continue shooting off the string, pick up fps and ke for $60.

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

I' d say if you are getting good arrow flight, tight groups, and are hitting what you am for...then you' re set-up is fine.

BUT...I know tinkering around for that " best possible" set-up is fun too. I' ve had great success w/ alum arrows and just this week decided i needed to try carbons just to see what happens.

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

Are your arrows long enough to take another inch of draw length without moving the rest back?

I like string loops, but I' m not going to advise against shooting directly off the string either.

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

What brand gator jaw release are you looking at?
I' ve got a brand new out of the package gator jaw release in my archery box that I have no plans on using if you want to go with plan 2 for $25.00!!

Not sure what brand it is as there is no brand name on it.

Other than that self serving advice:D, I would probably see a plastic sergeon about adding some length!!!;) j/k- or leave it alone and hunt!!

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

Dave, the one I was looking at was the one offered by pollington, their pro release, combines the gator jaw head with the Scott hand grip. Is yours a wrist strap combo? Bracklynn is the only other manufacturer I found offering the gator jaw, and all theirs were wrist straps.

I may be interested, does that include shipping? What didn' t you like about the gator jaw? Is the trigger pretty crips? How ' bout the jaws themselves, do they release simultaneously and smoothly?

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

Never played with it much to tell you the truth.
I bought it and then discovered metal clanky " d" rings. So I stuffed it away and never used it. The d rings have since been replaced with string loops.
I' ll go home tonight and " evaluate" it for you. Gotta run- it' s quitting time!!

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

There is nothing wrong with your current setup BUT I also like the advantages that a loop gives you.Cleaner release and the arrow will not come off the string on a letdown.



If the draw length really bothers you that much,Buy a new release.The ones you mentioned would be nice but also check out the Short and Sweet by Tru Ball.I messed with one at the ASA shoot in Metropolis and was very impressed with the trigger and the trigger is in line where it attaches to the loop.It is also farely reasonable on price.$45.00-$55.00,depending on which strap you go with.

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

I checked it out.
Rangeball, It' s a wrist strap type, jaws are one piece on each side- so yes they release at the same time. Trigger is " crisp" .
I don' t remember using this release and it doesn' t show any signs of me doing so.
I did remove the bolt from the strap, add some shrink tubing to the post that holds the head of the release, and then reassembled it. (I can' t leave anything stock without adding my " touch" )

One reason I didn' t even try it other than discovering " d" rings was because I didn' t have 2 of them. I always like to carry a back up release of the same style I' m shooting in my gear pack. If you try a gator jaw and like it, you could always get the name brand one and use this one as your back up. I guess $25 could include shipping, if I remember right you live in Louisiana which is only 1 state over so shipping shouldn' t be too bad.

But the release TFOX mentioned also sounds worth looking into. If you decide to do something else, no big deal. This release has just been taking up space as does a lot of my extra gear. Come to think of it how does $20.00 shipping included sound?

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

I' ll pick #1 , its getting close to season and if your getting good flight I would say practice practice practice , bad time of year to try drastic changes like that . Wait till january if you still want to do it .

RE: What to do, What to do... What would you do?
 

Dave, Sold!

I' ve been wanting to try one of these for some time, but the pollington I was looking at didn' t offer a return policy, and I' d rather be wrong for $20 than $60-70...

I' ll shoot you an email so we can hook up about the particulars. THANKS!

TFOX, that looks like a good release, but I want to stay away from rope releases. Thanks anyway.

ijimmy, I don' t think simply trying this release out will be that big of a deal, but your points are well taken.