A little backstory first. I have been looking for a Checkmate Firebird for a while now but havent had much luck, atleast not in my price range. In my search a local fellow offered me a Checkmate Falcon Special 52# at 28" with a leather quiver, half dozen misc arrows and a glove... All only shot about a dozen times and then put into storage. I thought about it and couldn't pass up the deal. I basically paid for the quiver glove and arrows and got the bow for free. So... Here she is
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141221_200140_zpslpmmbtpk.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141221_200140_zpslpmmbtpk.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141221_200200_zpsgpqsg34m.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141221_200200_zpsgpqsg34m.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141221_200221_zps0xwt1t6x.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141221_200221_zps0xwt1t6x.jpg.html)
So here is where the dilemma comes up. I have found a Firebird at a local shop but I think they are asking a bit too much for it. It is an unfinnished never been shot left over from the original owners of CheckMate. It is beautiful and in the woods i want... So I can probably trade the Falcon in on it and pay a little extra, or just keep the Falcon. The Firebird is a couple pounds more than I would call perfect but not a problem at all for me.
'A couple more pounds than perfect' would make me pass. I can 'handle' 80# but does not mean its what I'd want my go-to bow at. I think you answered your own question. I would get the finished Falcon, that's a beautiful bow!, and not give it a second thought. If not, then at least get the 'unfinished' Firebird for a deal you're comfortable with, if they're asking too much they're asking too much, I wouldn't cater to them and give them a perfectly good bow (Falcon) for one that wasn't even ready to use. My vote is the Falcon.
That is probably the nicest Falcon I have seen...we have been finding some great deals on Chek Mates lately...wait for what you want while enjoying what you have
DDave
I think that even new a Falcon is one of the best buys out there
DDave
I guess i should have been more clear, the Firebird isn't a blank, it is a finished bow as in it has its final sanding, it just has no gloss finish on it.
Oh, also the Firebird is 56# I am comfortable up to 60 and have shot up to 74 but didnt like that heavy. I find 50# to be perfect but I shoot a lot. Like when I shoot a 3d I like to get atleast 3 rounds in. So when I practice I may shoot up to 500 arrows in a day.
10-4 I read you loud and clear, then it sounds like the # will be no issue...I would still try and get a good deal/trade worked out if they are asking too much for it. No sense in doing them a favor or whatever. That Falcon is sweet like Dave said.
Haggle with them, make them an offer a little less than you want to spend, then you have a little bargaining room.
Go for it!
Good luck.
Do you really shoot 500 arrows per day? That is a lot is shooting with any bow!
IMO the Falcon is a better bow. I don't see me ever doing business with the current owner, but they are still a great bow.
ISP, usually yes, sometimes even more. I shoot over at my parents place and i can get out to 54 yards. I have a few bows and dont like any of them to feel left out. When i start to get tired, i take a break or shoot my compounds till i get bored and switch back to my recurves.
LBR, what would you say makes the Falcon better than the Firebird?
Better cast/performance, more forgiving.
The falcon is a shooter. Wish I still had mine.
I may be able to keep both :D
I am greedy... I get both lol
Oh (http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141227_183736_zpscrc3xeae.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141227_183736_zpscrc3xeae.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141227_184706_zpsktbepize.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141227_184706_zpsktbepize.jpg.html)
Shot it a few times yesterday before dark and the rains moved in and wow. She smokes a heavy arrow. Tuned super easy, and I had a 5" group at 20 yards with the first 6 arrows. I am pumped. Going to shoot a 3d on the 3rd.
Wow, 3D in January, you Canadians are a hardy bunch, our 3d's stop around the end of September, mostly because of hunting season, the earliest is next month for us here in n.j.
Have a good time and best of luck with the new bow and the new year.
Glad for you that you got to have both, Firebird ought to be a shooter with that reverse mount limb setup.
Njloco, this would be the first 3d since around October. There are a few big indoor 3d events coming up, this one just happens to be an outdoor. The temps right now are hovering around freezing. Not too bad at all.
Nineworlds9, thanks a lot. I am super excited to get out shooting both of these bows. The Firebird is apparently the bow that inspired the Talon from Eaglewing.
Got about 100 arrows through it yesterday, was mostly helping a buddy get his compound setup. I will say this about the bow, it is very very forgiving, even if I colapse a bit or have a poor release, the arrow still impacted within a couple inches of where I intended at 20 yards and I was getting great 6 to 8 inch groups at 35 yards. Lots of fun shooting this bow.
Shot a really fun 3d today. Only brought the Firebird. First round was a wash, I could have shot better, I could have shot worse. Shot from the trad pegs. Second round my buddy and his compound were bugging me about shooting from the kids tee. So I shot the second round from the compound pegs and I shot great. Nailed a few really long shots. Small bear at 48 yards, 10 ring! Was my best shot of the day. I even took a few shots from the "Extreme" pegs... These were either another 10 yards or involved some kneeling down or standing on a stump. All in all a very fun day. I love this bow. Still need to quiet it down.
Good to hear that your enjoying it and that you made a good showing. When I'm on, I love to shoot with the wheelie crowd, it just burns them when I beat them from their pegs, I try my best not to show any emotion.
That bow reminds me of a Black Widow, but it looks better.
Thanks, there is an indoor 3d in a couple weeks and then the nationals are next month. I'm getting super excited.
Got some shooting in at my parents. Got both bows tuned pretty good. Here is a pic of a little walk back with the Firebird. Bottom 3 arrows are at 20 yards high left is 30 yards and the closest to center was 40 yards.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150108_163420_zpshs7m96x4.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150108_163420_zpshs7m96x4.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150108_163515_zpslsyi8k77.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150108_163515_zpslsyi8k77.jpg.html)
You know, I was wondering what happened to my ATV tires ?
Good shooting !
Lol no no, those are my brothers quad tires lol.
While I was over at my parents, I stole a ball of some real nice black/grey/brown fuzzy yarn and put some quiet into these bows.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_142413_zpsvtubukrb.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_142413_zpsvtubukrb.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_165530_zpsscmsirrs.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_165530_zpsscmsirrs.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_172029_zps8ly5lsns.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_172029_zps8ly5lsns.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_175456_zpse5bo7cw4.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_175456_zpse5bo7cw4.jpg.html)
Shot a big indoor 3d this weekend. I did not shoot great.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150117_110137_zpsvfcoskmi.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150117_110137_zpsvfcoskmi.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150118_123307_zpsyzhsr2is.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150118_123307_zpsyzhsr2is.jpg.html)
I like the looks of the falcon more but it sounds like you have the best of both worlds now.
attack let me just say this. When check-mate was in business and the American Dollar was strong they practically were giving the bows away! :readit: I can't remember what I paid for my Falcon Deluxe but it was CHEAP! I had a two tone riser beautiful recurve! Great workmanship, fast, quiet, and accurate! :goldtooth: bentpole
I have decided to put the Falcon up for trade but the Firebird is staying for sure :D
I traded the Falcon yesterday for a.... Dare I say it... Bow with training wheels. The Falcon is a very sweet bow but I just didn't get "that feeling" that I get with my other bows... Like it just wasn't meant to be. There were only 2 bows I would have traded it for. A Pittsley Predator 45# to 55# or a newer Bear flagship training wheel bow to bump my current one to the backup spot. I got a 14' Bear Motive 6. I couldn't be happier, dealing with a great guy and got a bow I have wanted for a while, and the Falcon will be his first one piece custom bow. He is just as excited as I am.