Have a Matlock longbow I am considering. This was made in about 96', right before he started making the predator series. Supposedly in very good condition. I dont know much about his bows, and figure this is the best place to inquire. What can you tell me about them? Anyone have any pics they can post?
thanks
anyone???
I have a number of Matlock bows.
1. Predator Classic which is a straight limbed Hill-type longbow. 68" 53.5#@28" Nice shooter. I don't have much experience with Hill-type bows but it seems to perform well.
2. Predator X - 62" 52.5#@28". Highly reflex-deflex longbow and it's a screamer. Extremely high early draw weight. Very stable and quiet. I'm not wild about the typical Matlock tips. They are pretty beefy, probably overbuilt but could be used for self-defense if attacked by a cornered hog.
3. Predator X - 58" 35#@28". Same reflex-deflex and this is the bow my daughters or their friends shoot. Even at this low weight it zips CE Thunderstorm or Heritage 90 arrows. The tips are not so big on this bow. (I bought it from Bill's ex-wife. It was a custom for her. Riser is half pink ivory and half holly. Nicest finish I've seen on a Matlock.)
4. I sold a Carbon Custom because it was too heavy for me.
All Matlocks I've shot feel heavier than they are marked. Could be the high early draw weight.
Every Matlock I've shot is fast but might be considered a little shocky with those big tips. Grips are somewhat large when compared to my low wrist Morrison or Dwyer grips but have good locator feel.
I've haven't seen any that have the eye-candy finishing touches like some of today's modern bows. They are hunting/killing tools not living room decorations.
If you are looking at a Matlock bow I would be sure it has Bill's signature. After he had a stroke he turned his business over to someone (Roadrunner Archery maybe??) and those bows are not made by Bill.
Supposedly its signed by Bill, so no worries there. The owner said its an r/d bow, but before he made the transition to his predator x models.
I owned a Predator and Predator X II. BAD BOYS. Both were fast with the X II being fastest. Killed a few pigs with it.
Like Lost Arra said they seemed heavier than marked by several pounds.The finish on mine was great but shiney.RC
The bow is probably a Predator Too not quite as radical as the Predator X it is accurate and fast. All Matlocks I have owned have been some of the prettiest bows I have ever seen. You can't go wrong with a Matlock they all are shooters.
I never cared for the earlier longbows...But the Predator X2 was way ahead of it's time. It is as fast and quiet as any of the radical longbows now. The risers on my Matlock's are slim with a great forefinger/thumb groove. I used to call my best bows the 3Ms...Matlock, Massie, & Morrison. Still do...Doc
up, anyone else?
I have a Predator X and I say pound for pound it is one of my fastest bows.Highly R/D,bamboo limbs and fast without any carbon in the limbs.I wish Bill was still making bows,I would order one if he did.Bill made a quality bow.