got a few questions. i am in the market for a psa....got a wild hair of sorts. looking for more input on them. i have never owned a widow, and only shot a psa a few times a while back. looking at 60" as i draw 29.
many have told me that they are a touch louder than most. what tricks do you use to help quieten them? i shoot 3 under so that is going to amplify it some, but im not a sound freak as some.
some have said that they have more trouble bare shafting the widows than other bows.
grips..i want as asbell i think for the extra palm swell. i am finding that they are hard to come across for some reason. do moost order the standard or asbell?
looking for more thoughts on these bows. thanks guys
lastly..if any know where one is..send em my way!
I've found that my PSA is a little noisier than other comparable bows. They can be quieted down by shooting a heavier arrow or playing with the silencers. I've asked BW, and they don't recommend putting a rubber pad in between the riser and the limbs like Bob Lee does, nor do they recommend putting anything like velcro on the limb tips to silence string slap like some other bowyers do. Since I don't want to shoot as heavy an arrow as I would need to make much difference in the noise, I basically just put up with it. Its good points outweighs the bad.
I bare shaft test all my bows, and have had absolutely no problem bare shafting any widow I've owned. The owner emeritus of BW, Ken Beck, is one of the top experts in the USA in bare shaft testing, and I'm sure he would not allow a bow in his lineup that had problems in that area.
Ordering a BW with the Asbell grip is a good idea, as it can be reshaped to the standard grip if you don't like it, but not the other way around. I like the Asbell grip, and would order any future bows from BW with that grip. There is also a newer "Toby" grip (after the name of one of the current owners and the chief bowyer there). I don't know anything about that grip, and you might want to inquire about it.
They made bows for many years with their standard grip before they adopted any variations, which might explain why used bows with the Asbell grip are hard to find. Or maybe people just like them and don't sell them?
If you really want a widow... I highly recommend a roadtrip to Nixa if it is at all possible. Stay there all day. Shoot every bow they have on the wall. Take a tour of the facility and see how they make the bows. Then shoot all the Widows again.
You will know exactly which eight or twelve Widows you want to take home with you.
I'd recommend the Asbell grip, having owned both. Also, I have no problems shooting them 3-under. Further, when I shot carbons I was easily able to bare-shaft tune (I shoot woods these days, and don't bare-shaft tune this type of arrow).
See my sig! Mine also has the Asbell grip!
I have a 62" psax and draws smooth to my 31" draw. I have the asbell grip and am very happy with it, again like said before if you get the asbell it can always be made into a different style grip.
I use wool yarn to silence the bow and find it does a pretty decent job. I wouldnt say it is the quietest bow i own but it is the most accurate for me, and has been the bow i grab when going hunting.
For my draw I prefer the 62" over the 60" but the 60" was also very smooth on the draw. I tend to like a longer bow.
Truth be told this is a great bow and you will be satisfied
I personally favor the Asbell grip over the standard. Again, that remark is only personal and may not meet your needs. I still must strongly recommend the 'try before you buy' program.
Never had a BW that gave me any bare shaft tuning troubles.
BW's I have owned and currently own required a 2nd set of silencers set ~4"s apart centered at the quarter points significantly alleviated noise concerns. A set Terry's Hush Puppies may be the ticket. A skinny string also contributes nicely. These bows can be quieted down w/o much effort.
(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x438/lead955/New%20Bow/September2010085.jpg)
(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x438/lead955/New%20Bow/September2010087.jpg)
Just figured I post a few of mine in Kingwood
QuoteOriginally posted by RUSTY1:
See my sig! Mine also has the Asbell grip!
Ready to sell it?!!! :p
I shoot a PSAX, standard grip. Way more standard grips available used. I think if I order one I will get the Asbell grip.
I needed to use wool yarn around the loops and wool yarn silencers to quiet it to my liking. This is with an 11 gpp arrow. 14 strand d97 string.
I have found the PSA to be the best hunting recurve i have ever owned, and thats been a bunch,i have killed a bunch of critters with it, I do put felt on the limb tips and i think it helps on string noise, i have alot of people comment on how quiet my bow is , thats with 10gpp arrows. I also have the asbel grip, in fact I have had 3 widows with that grip after owning a couple with the std. grip. it seems to locate the hand properly at least for me anyway
Keep the braceheight up toward the top end of their recommendations and wrap the string with bowhush or heavy yarn and add a piece of velcro where string contacts limb, won't hurt anything(don't know why widow would say not to do it)! Also hushpuppies or other type of silencers, like fox hair or muskox work well too. Widows do not take a stiffer arrow because they shoot so hard as they used to advertise, they are cut almost 1/4" past center so they will shoot a wider range of spines but do not need a really stiff arrow. Nice bows but not real quick or quiet, but great folks to deal with and customer service second to none! Shawn
Cant speak directly to PSA's in particular but can talk about Widows....
I have an older MA III (pre FF) 62" 45@28" std grip with the old "Frost" finish. Its a killer...
My thoughts on noise... My MA is quiet with 4 wool puff silencers.
I shoot AD Nitro Stingers with yellow lettering on this bow and have no trouble getting them to tune. I am in fact personaly positive that they are THE ARROW to shoot... for me at least as I shoot them (AD's) on all my Widows.
The Asbell grip is a good idea if you like a "handfull". Widows, for me, are contagious. I have several and want more.
Got any other questions PM me...
Im ready to get my hands on one..just gotta find the right one. The grip is my hold up..I found a super nice one with the standard grip, but something keeps telling me to hold off for a little bit to find s clean one with the asbell grip. Man its tough!
I did find my PSA-V to be a touch noisier than the average recurve. After much messing around I ended up with wool puff silencers at the 1/3 points, 6 strand SBD skinny string with bow hush wraps where the string contacts the bow shooting relatively heavy 2117 aluminums with 160 gr points. It's as quiet as any other bow in my stable now. I has the Asbell grip that I prefer, but I shot a bunch of standard grips in Nixa and they shot fine for me too.
The price of used Widows is so high that you might want to consider just buying exactly what you want new.
You could get one with a std grip and "build out" a grip that you like and then cover it with leather or a sure grip...
QuoteOriginally posted by Swamp Yankee:
The price of used Widows is so high that you might want to consider just buying exactly what you want new.
something else i have learned!
never really paying much attention or know much about the widows..what is the difference in the models? psa, pma...?
many props have gone to the psa to be a good all around bow, so thats what i hav been going off of
PMA has a 2" longer riser that the PSA, which has a 2" longer riser than the PCH. You can basically go with a longer or shorter bow for your draw length with each different model. For example at my draw (right around 30") the 62" PMA, 60" PSA and 58" PCH all felt pretty similar. I prefer the PMA and PSA for their longer sight windows. The PCH was fine for my draw, but the upper edge of the sight window was always in my peripheral vision...Mike
Bruce
I've seen your "build outs" first hand. They are dandy. Someday you should make up a "how to" for us.
P.S. your welcome for another thing on your "to do" list. ;p
I have owned and sold 3 of them... I love the looks and feel of them. They also shoot very well for me. BUT!!! I never coud get them quiet enough. And I have tried everything... Black Widow says that they are no louder then other bows..that it is just the pitch of the sound. I agree But a deer is gooing to jump alot more from a twang then it will from a thud.. IMHO..
Still I love BW PSA's and will buy another to tinker with....I've been bitten...
If you are looking at a 60" with a 29" draw you might want to take a look at a PCH You would have a 60" bow with the same lenght limbs as a 62" PSA that would be one smooth drawing bow, just a thought.
No disrespect WTPOPS. But I consider the PCH just a bad choice. It has a very small sight window... Which I think it bad for instictive shooting... And I see alot of brand new PCHs for sell all the time... Much like the BOB Lee short risers.....
im not sure i would like a shorter sigt windoow..i know it cant be much different than most longbows i have owned beacause they have had short sight windows, but i just prefer a littler bit larger window.
do the psa and pma feel relatively the same? some have said the pma was a little bulkier.
Well, I gap-shoot, and my PCHx is my most accurate, comfortable bow. I love it! If you cant a bow, there is NO sight window, no matter how you shoot.
The PMA is 2 inches longer in the riser then the PSA. And I can really tell the differance in weight. Personally if I had a cool 29 inch draw I would go with a 62inch PSA. You wont even notice the extra 1 inch on both ends of the limbs. But it will make alot Sweeter shooting bow..... I am also guessing with a 29 inch draw you are 6 foot or more???? Clearing the stand should not be an issue...
The PMA is definitely heavier. I think I shoot that model best of all. I really like a 60" PSA, but I think the 62" PMA fits me best. I've had better luck with these two bows. The 62" PSA and 64" PMA, while smooth, always had a slight vibration at the end of the shot. This is my feeling, and obviously it is not something that everyone feels. Lots of love for the longest limbs, just don't work for me...Mike
I have an older PSA that I hunt with that has the standard grip, and a new one with the Asbel grip, in a lighter poundage due to shoulder problems (that are getting better!) I really prefer the Asbel grip over the standard grip, and am going to sell the newer one and get a new PSA with more poundage. As far as noise, I use a skinny string with wool silencers, and velcro in the string grooves, and it is very quiet. I prefer Black Widows over any other bow that I have ever shot!!
that kingwood is making me drool! I have plans to be putting an order in this spring for a PMA in that finish :bigsmyl:
I have a beautiful psa w/asbell grip,I'd be happy to sell you. 60"-51@28. made this year ,for a good price (for a widow), But only after HUNTING season !! :goldtooth:
Well dern bud..that defeats the purpose! How bout u send on to GA for a test run!
Brian:
Gonna keep it a secret... might want to patent it.. LOL....
I have a PSAIII with the Asbell grip. I have big hands, so it wasn't much of an option.
As far as the noise goes, I've never had an issue with deer jumping my string. I've had shots from 8yds out to 30yds and haven't had a problem. I use wooly whispers where the BW folks say to put their silencers that come with the bow.
My arrows are 11gpi, so they're not terribly heavy...it pulls 52# @28".
The limbs creaked a little bit when I first got the bow, but I put some string wax on the posts and threads of the bolts and never had an issue again.
All in all, I like the fat grip. I also like how heavy it is. All that meat in the middle there keeps my arm steady. I've shot lighter bows and my arm was all over the place. I'm sure I'd get used to it, but I'd rather shoot what I already have.
I'll repeat what someone said earlier. If you cant your bow, sight window differences don't come into play. The taller sight window only matters if you shoot more up and down. I cant about 15-20 degrees and nothing is in the way whatsoever.
Adam
What's the difference in a standard psa and psax riser?
"X" in BW lingo stands for exotic wood. you can pick and choose whatever wood you would like to have in the riser and limbs. Otherwise the standard models I THINK are maple.
I have the greybark color. I like my bow just fine. Easy to shoot, tough as nails, not as loud as some like to say. I have never had a deer "jump the string".
Fountain:
The Widow folks have a "test drive" program. You might get a bunch of questions answered by calling the Widow Works and talking with the boys... Roger, Toby, John and Vernon about what you are looking for. They will gladly spend as much time talking you through your questions as it takes and they don't lie. They likely have a bow on the rack that would be close to what you are looking for and could ship it for you to try.
If there is even a remote chance that you could get there do so. It will slap you silly when you see the bows on the wall for you to try.
I am not trying to cut off your questions. By all means ask away... that is what a bunch of us thrive on...
Huntschool is right, I did the test drive and it really sealed the deal for me.
QuoteOriginally posted by fountain:
QuoteOriginally posted by RUSTY1:
See my sig! Mine also has the Asbell grip!
Ready to sell it?!!! :p [/b]
Hey, everything is for sale if the money is right! Lol!
QuoteOriginally posted by RUSTY1:
QuoteOriginally posted by fountain:
QuoteOriginally posted by RUSTY1:
See my sig! Mine also has the Asbell grip!
Ready to sell it?!!! :p [/b]
Hey, everything is for sale if the money is right! Lol! [/b]
lay it on me bud!
JMHO, Widows are loud with the stock Widow string. Had and shot them all, SA, MA, TF, SAG, LAG, PSA, PMA, PTF, PSR, PL and PCH. Super shooting bows. With the right brace, string, arrow weight, silencer combination and position you can get them as quiet as any bow out there. I've had the best luck with 8 strand SBD strings and Navaho Wool puffs. I did have one 62" SA that I finally gave up on because I couldn't get it quiet enough no matter what I did. You might have to slow them down a bit to get them silent but speed doesn't kill, silence does. Stable, dependable bows and they are "bombproof", and the Widow Workers give you the best service you can get.
I have a 44# PSAV.I'm shooting a 375gr arrow out of it.Mine is fairly quiet.I shoot 3under and use 4 spider silencers.I also put velcro under the limb tips where the string contacts the limbs.That seems to help alot with noise.I have a 9" brace height.I'm shooting 29" easton epic 600's and they bareshaft great.The PSA is a great bow.You won't be disappointed with it.
I did the test drive a few months ago and ended up ordering a 49# PSAV, 60", Asbell grip. I don't find the noise objectionable at all with beaver silencers and 610 grain fir shafts.
Jerry
I`ve owned a few Widows and they are fine bows. I would say at your draw to get a 62" bow. I`ve owned a ma and sa. I liked the ma more for being accurate.RC
Too many decisions! Im ready to grab up one..just find THE ONE! I don't can't a whole lot, so im a little worried about the sight window of the ma. If I wad in the market to buy new, I would definitely call em up and test drive one..but buying new right now is out of my price range
QuoteOriginally posted by fountain:
Too many decisions! Im ready to grab up one..just find THE ONE! I don't can't a whole lot, so im a little worried about the sight window of the ma. If I wad in the market to buy new, I would definitely call em up and test drive one..but buying new right now is out of my price range
Just so there is no confusion PCH has the shortest sight window, the PSA is in the middle and the PMA has the largest.
I shoot the PSA and have a low anchor and have no problem with the sight window at all.
When i say the PCH has the shortest sight window that is relative to the other bows, its realy not that small as compaired to some other bows i have tried.
But we are all different and you will ned to check it out for your self.
I have a PSA in Bocote. I love it. i have 2 spider and 2 wool whisper silencers on it. it is not loud at all. at 3d shoots i have people tell me my bow is very quiet. i have a standard grip it fits my hand perfect.i have had no trouble bare shafting my arrows. you need to get ken becks video on arrow tunnng it will help you out alot.
this is a great bow! you will not be disapointed
I have a 60" PSAV 49# @ 28 and I pull an honest 29 1/2" without any issues what so ever. Not real loud either.
Good luck.
Get you a Flemish twist 8 strand padded to 16 in the loops FF string. Helps the noise greatly.
I had an SA at one time. Fantastic bows.
Well I got one! Picked up a grey bark psax..fine looking bow. Can't wait to get my hands on it! Im kinda excited
I just got another widow sa II 50@29 62" all my other widows were 58-60. This bow is a dream to shoot smooth on the draw. :archer2:
I have just sold one of my 3 PSA,just for trim the herd:they are really good shooters and accurate bows.The first thing to do is to replace the factory string and the bow will quiet down.
Yep, TJ conned me out of mine. I get first dibbs if he decides to sell it, right TJ ?
Sho nuff! The only thing I may want to do is try to find an asbell grip riser and swap..but doudt it
I have a PSA 55lb @ 28". It has a standard grip and I slipped a rubber grip over the handle since my hands get sweaty. I spent some time bare shaft tuning, but it all panned out just fine. I ordered the Carbon Express test kit and Im using a 29" CX250. I use a 50gr. brass insert and a 125 point. As far as silencing, I use the spider silencers, and brush buttons. The noise is there but it's not an issue>>-->