I've found a Kodiak Magnum that I'm looking at buying. Was told it was bought new in 2003. What is the consensus on the "newer" Kodiak Mags? Are they any good? Anyone know if a 2003 would be ok for FF strings? I did a quick search but didn't find much. Any help or info is appreciated.
Thanks gang,
Matt
Matt,
I had one I bought new around 2006 which would be the same as the one you are looking at. It should be a two-tone grey and brown laminate riser and black glass limbs. They remained pretty much the same when re-introduced by Gainesville in the late nineties until 2012 when they changed to the bubinga/green glass model. The 2003 model should be ff capable (will have black/white alternating fiberglass tip overlays). Mine was a solid, well-built bow. To be mass produced, Bear has some of the best glue lines and uniformity to limb laminations I have seen. I liked those years because they had a small grip with a low cut shelf which pointed very well. You will see some variation in grip shape depending who shaped it at the factory. Some feel better than others and it took me a while to find one that felt just right. Mine was fast and fairly smooth. Some stacking at my 29.5" draw but not unmanageable. I would suggest one of the newer skinny low stretch strings instead of standard fast flight and a set of limbsavers close to the riser. Helps alot in improving quietness and smoothness. In my opinion (not to anger the Grayling crowd), the Gainesville Kmags have a much better grip and shelf that just lends itself to better instinctive shooting. If you have not shot short bows before be aware that flaws in form will be amplified and little mistakes will become more apparent.
Exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. thanks Doc. I did contact Bear and they confirmed the 2003 model is ok for FF. I have some D97, so that's what I'll try out. I've shot a KMag before and didn't notice any problems (stacking, finger pinch, form flaws exagerrated) at my 28" draw. Looking forward to getting in hand to play around with.
Im sure you'll like it - I still miss mine sometimes. 52" is so handy in a deer stand. Post some pics when you get it set up so we can see it. Always like looking at Bears. The Great Northern side mount quiver fits these little bows perfect if you like a bow quiver.
There is a reason they never changed the main design of the koidiak magnum. They are virtually indestructiable. For those that shoot them well they are REALLY good bows.
Guys, I've got a 73 K Mag with the Bear Bow Quiver that came with it. I've got the issue where the quiver won't hold some of my arrows securely due to the shafts being more narrow than what it was designed for. Have any of you ever had that issue, and if so how did you fix it? I love it otherwise, and wouldn't have any other bow because its so handy with that 52" length.
I have a 2011 KMAG and i love it. Great little bow. Found it easier to shoot with 1 on top and 2 on bottom fingure configuration compaired to the 3 under I was used to shootin with on my kodiak. I guess thats just because its a shorter bow which are known to create fingure pinch. But all in all I love it good shooter. Have fun.
Barry,
If you wrap some rubber bands in and around your arrow grippers it should fix the fit.
Thanks Jack!!
Barry if you have the 4 arrow quiver you can also use the shaft snuggers sold by Thunderhorn, which are little black rubber bands. It looks a little neater than plain old rubber bands. I don't think these snuggers would work on the 8 arrow quivers because of the of the gripper design - in that case you have to use regular old rubber bands.
I think I've used up all my luck this year. I ended up finding two K Mags on craigslist for about the price I was expecting to pay for one. I'll get some pics posted later.
First one I found is a '68, 45#@28, in excellent condition. Bought it from the original owner who used it alot back in the 70s, but had it in storage the last several years.
The second one is the one I started this post about. 2003 model, 55#@28 (53# under the strike plate) original owner, doesn't shoot it anymore. I think he may have lost interest in trad gear.
Anyway, I made a few phone calls and got both of them in mail last week. I made a B55 string for '68. It was exceptionally smooth at 28" and a pleasure to shoot.
I made a D97 string for the modern KMag with reinforced tips and had a heck of a time getting it quiet. I made a 10 strand string with padded loops to 18. Added wool to the end of the string where it contacts the limb, and added wool silencers. Still a loud thud after the shot. So I did the unimaginable. Traditionalists and purists, please look away now... I had a old set of limbsavers new in the pack from my compound days and decided to throw them on just to see if there was a difference. I noticed a small decrease in noise, but still unacceptable since I had planned to use this bow in the ground blind this year.
Did a bunch on reading on the subject and then decided I'd try the B55 on it just to see. What a difference! I don't know how many FPS I'm loosing by using B55 rather than D97, but I sure can't notice it without a chrono. Honestly, I don't care. I'd rather shoot a quiet bow 4-5 fps slower than a loud one that is faster.
I shoot 3 under and draw 28", and didn't notice any pinch or stacking on either bow. I'll try to post some pics soon.
Mine's the 8 arrow Dawg. I'm gonna give the rubber bands a go...I like the looks of the quiver and it really is handy to use. Thanks for the reply!
Some stacking at 29.5"s is an understatement. I have owned several over the years and at 29"s they start gaining about 5#s per inch. Nice shooters but as with most short recurves that are not static tipped I always find your release has to be about perfect for good accuracy. Shawn
Pics as promised.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/mbhensley/Archery%20Stuff/Bear%20Bows/KMags1_zps2ac46f15.jpg)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/mbhensley/Archery%20Stuff/Bear%20Bows/KMags2_zps0cf4cc69.jpg)
Here's the '68 by itself.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/mbhensley/Archery%20Stuff/Bear%20Bows/KMag68_2_zpse7ec8be6.jpg)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/mbhensley/Archery%20Stuff/Bear%20Bows/KMag68_1_zps0d641757.jpg)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/mbhensley/Archery%20Stuff/Bear%20Bows/KMag68_3_zps63b4bfae.jpg)
Matt,
Although I briefly owned one of the newer Gainesville models I never noticed how much the shelf was cut lower than the Grayling Magnums until you showed the two together.
Great looking '68 by the way!
QuoteOriginally posted by Jack Shanks:
Matt,
Although I briefly owned one of the newer Gainesville models I never noticed how much the shelf was cut lower than the Grayling Magnums until you showed the two together.
Great looking '68 by the way!
Thanks. I also noticed the differences in the shelves. I've read that a lower shelf closer to your hand is better, but I couldn't really tell a difference in shooting them.
Matt, what handsome bows but I have to say I'm partial to that '68...what a beautiful bow! I have a green K Mag and would love to add a vintage brown bow to the stable. How does the later bow shoot for you?
I'm partial to the Grayling Magnums too but nothing wrong with the way the Gainesville versions look or shoot.
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/bowjack/IMG_0703.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by Barry Rowland:
Matt, what handsome bows but I have to say I'm partial to that '68...what a beautiful bow! I have a green K Mag and would love to add a vintage brown bow to the stable. How does the later bow shoot for you?
It's hard for me to compare them against each other b/c one is 10# lighter. I really like both of them. Right away the '68 was a pleasure to shoot. Really smooth to my 28" draw, but it's also 10# lighter than what I'm used to shooting. The newer one was loud at first, until I tried the B55 string. It's much more pleasant after switching to the B55 from D97, and will definitely give it a go from a ground blind this fall.
Awesome pic Jack. I've seen a bunch of your pics in other topics and always enjoy seeing what you have. Great collection!
So what year is the third one from the bottom?
Third from the bottom would be a 1972.
I love your collection Jack!