To Buy A Used Bow?

[aalucker]

I am shopping for a bow to start my quest into bowhunting. The question I have for anyone is.....

Should you buy a new bow or is it ok to buy a used bow?

Unlike rifle hunting I don't know enough about compound bows to feel comfortable about buying used. If it were a rifle I would be fine but this is unfamiliar territory for me.

Can I get some advice from the seasoned bow hunters out there? 

[dfresh96]

I started out with a used Bow & bought my second Bow used aswell. After about 5 years of hunting & shooting 3d's I purchased a new Bow. I would suggest that if you purchase used make sure its never been dry fired...also Ive noticed things are cheaper around this time of year on ebay...good luck

PS-I had a good friend assist with purchases who has shot for years on the used bows & it helped...

[huntnphool]

Plenty of quality used bows out there. As long as you buy from a honest seller there is no difference than buying a used gun.

[troyspinetar]

I recently picked up a used bow in great "used" condition from a feller here on the site.
I started from a place of not knowing ANYTHING about bows. I walked into a bow shop near me and told the guy "I don't know anything about bows". He spent almost an hour with me showing me different bows, accessories and even let me shoot one. From there I started talking to folks on this site. Lots of PMs were sent simply asking questions. After some research of what I thought would fit my hunting needs and budget, I finally settled on one.
I wasn't for or against buy new or used, or any certain brand, it just worked out that I got an older bow that may be a little better that a brand new entry level in my price range.
Good Luck.
It does seem like there are some killer bows with accessories in the classifieds for excellent prices.

[aalucker]

Thanks everyone for the good advice.

 I did go into my local shop and told the guys that I new nothing about bows and was interested in new and used if the price was right. They were steering me towards a new bow but I feel that like a rifle if you shop you can find great deals on used equipment.

I'll keep looking around.

Keep the advice or tips on used or new equipment and deals coming.

Thanks again.

Adam

[huntnphool]

Keep the advice or tips on used or new equipment and deals coming.

Thanks again.

Adam

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,146461.msg1941645.html#msg1941645

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,146329.msg1939628.html#msg1939628

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,145979.msg1935069.html#msg1935069

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,146995.msg1948868.html#msg1948868

[mikelonsford]

I have bought one new  bow from a local shop as well as two used off of Ebay.  They have all been good bows.  When buying a bow know what you are looking for.  If you don't know, then learn by going to the local shop asking questions and shooting as many bows as you can to see what you like.  There is a website called Huntersfriend.com that has a great tutorial for teaching you the basics when starting out as to what the different variables are in a bow and what they mean in fit and performance.  Good luck!  Archery is great fun whether hunting or just shooting in the backyard.

Mike

[earlmarne]

A guy can pick up a year or 2 old bow for a ton cheaper than new.
Ive purchased one new bow and 3 used.Warranty and support of your local shop are the only reasons i see to buy new.

[scotsman]

Compound bow manufacturers are coming out with "new, improved" models yearly and in some cases monthly. Because of that bows just one or two years old depreciate tremendously. If you shop around you can find last years 'greatest, fastest, quietest, lightest' bow for less than half new cost.

[724wd]

If you shop around you can find last years 'greatest, fastest, quietest, lightest' bow for less than half new cost.

   and they'll still be DANG fast, quiet, and light!   

[D-Rock425]

When buying a new bow you need to know what bows will fit you and what won't.   

[xXLojackXx]

Just sold my Mathews Z7 magnum fully set up for $625. It's crazy how much of a hit you take on selling a 1-2 year old bow. Buy used if you're new. Honestly, you don't know exactly what you want or need because you hadn't shot enough to know. There's no sense in buying your first bow new, realizing it isn't exactly what you want, and then taking the loss on it.

[Gringo31]

Agree with xXLojackXx.

Ebay or buy a bow all set up for half the money.  I don't think I'll ever buy a new bow again. 

[Hornseeker]

Archery Talk Classifieds is a great place to look also... Tons of bows...

And yeah... I mean geesh... find a good, barely used (which there are TONS of barely used bows out there) Hoyt Alphamax... thing is what, 6 yrs old now? Was a $980 bow... bare... get one setup with most the accessories now, have almost as good a bow as is still made... for like $450....

[lostbackpacker]

I agree that ArcheryTalk is a good source.  Havent bought a bow yet from there, but have sold a bow on there.

[Special T]

You get what you pay for at a Pro Shop... Service!
There are 2 ways that you could get a used bow and do OK. become a member and/or friends with a bow club. You will likely get a good idea about what your needs are, draw lenght, poundage, release etc. OR buy a used or last years bow from the pro shop. You may pay a little more but the pro shop should help set you and it up together.

I know members of my club have lent thier "Old Bow" to buddies getting into the sport, shoot a little till they decide if they like it or not. One member was shooting and ancient compound for the last 5 months or so. Another member told him he had a spare bow for sale and helped him set it up...

You need a mentor, find it at a club, or shortcut it and do so at a pro shop. 

[Jellymon]

Check out Elite. Their bows have a transferable warrantee, so even if you buy used it's covered for life. And you don't have to go through a dealer for warrantee work either, you can call Elite and talk directly with the owner and ship it to them yourself. You can also get parts directly from them as well. I'm sure you don't have the correct tools so you'll still need the help of a "pro shop" to get things set up and tuned.

You won't find a bow rated 330 with a smoother draw, harder wall, good locked in valley, perfect fit and finish than Elite. They are the perfect hunting bow. Of course this is all my opinion, the only way to tell if YOU like them is to shoot them. 

[Bean Counter]

Just like cars, used bows depreciate a ton.  even after a year or two. I bought used and it has lasted me five years. with the savings I was able to afford a Leica laser rangefinder.

get to know someone on here who knows bows really well (not me) and have them check it out with you.  they will check it out for mechanical problems, you will feel it out for a good fit.

[4fletch]

Sounds like you will be new to hunting with a Bow ,welcome to the wonderful world of bow hunting .  My two suggestions would be , don t over bow yourself , you want to be able to draw your bow  so you don t have to strain to get it drawn ,this will keep your movement  of the bow to a minimum and a lot easy er on your body . To me its about SHOT  PLACEMENT and not about being able to shoot 60 or 80 yrds When buying a used bow the limbs are not guaranteed for life like buying a new bow  , so if the limbs go bad it will cost somewhere around $ 200 plus installation and tuning keep this in mind  Good Luck

[irishevox]

i have a great used bow for sale!  Good price.  I barley used it.

[lostbackpacker]

I have a mathews conquest 3 with new string.  I'll sell it for 200$.

[irishevox]

i have an frontier Alpine new sight for sale $400

[jason stevens]

By new no question. To many things to worry about buying used.besides you spend 2-300 on a used one then spend 100 on strings.lots of new bows out there around five hundered. Good luck.

[Adam24]

I have a 2013 hoyt charger with winners choice strings trophy taker smack down rest fuse interceptor pins and a limbsaver stab. I'd be willing to sell barely shot it bought a spyder turbo and had no need for a second bow

[tjthebest]

I bought my first bow used off of Archerytalk.com classifieds, 6 months later i shot my first Archery Mule deer. I got mine fully set up with a case and everything but a release for 475. It was a 2010 strothers infinity. Not the highest end bow but it sure killed that deer dead.