i got this itch to get a bear recurve, 70's or earlier, and try to kill a deer with it next year. i see em on **** once in a while (im left handed, so there a bit more rare), and would like to try to get one, but i was wondering how reliable they are.  can they take regular shooting and hunting with out failing, if they are in good shape?  do they ever just de laminate because of there age?  thanks for any info.

I own, or have recently owned,a 1955 Kodiak, a 1960 Kodiak Special, a 1964 Kodiak, a 1966 Kodiak, and a 1970 Super Kodiak.  I've shot the daylights out of all of 'em, with zero problems.  I may however, be hesitant to hunt with the real old stuff in extremely cold weather.

I think you will find them as reliable as anything else out there.  My vote goes to a 65-67 Grizzly.  Great design and grip, very good shooter, much better IMO than the later Grizzlys.

I got a '66 tigetcat. Its a 62" 45#er....its still the best bow I've shot...

sure others are smoother, but they have a recoil like all hell and just never seem to feel right

now I do like a new bear montana longbow though.....alot....

reliable? im confused....     these bows have survived since the 60s and are still shooting just as good as they did back then. how much more reliable does it have to be? new bows are more likely to unglue and break on ya. all the bad old bows have already broken.

I plan on hunting with my 1959 Kodiak next year .

doug77

Mine is a '70 K Mag. and still shoots great.

my draw is 29.5-30".  could i safely draw a 58" recurve without damage?

Safely, yes. Comfortably, maybe not. You might get some finger pinch. My 60" Black Bear would be less likely to pinch than a 58" Grizzly. Both are great bows though.

There is no question as to the reliability of these bows. They are tough and shoot very well indeed. I have had a bunch of bows, but the only recurve left in my stable is my Black Bear. It will stay there! Otherwise, I shoot longbows.

pinch is not an issue, using a handy, short bow is what i am looking for.  i just didnt want to crack one in half if i drew it to 30"

Deermaster

I have 1963, 64, 65, 66 Kodiaks that get drawn to 29 inches all the time.  Grab one of those ole bows and go kill sumpthin with it!!

I draw 29, And  shooting a grizzy thats 45# @ 28, You wont be disapointed in the old bears, Theres just something about them, That everybody seems to love...

Opps....Grizzly

I have a 70 ? Kodiak on the way. How do you date them ?

They are all over 40 years old,and all of mine still work!!!!!  

Bear advertised an unlimited draw length.  They will out last you more than likely.  

I hunted with a 1960 Kodiak this fall and shot it thousands of times in preparation for the season.  

They are as reliable as any other bow out there.  Make sure whatever you choose to hunt with has a good finish to lock out moisture.  

Many Vintage bows are an absolute steal at the price you'll pay for them.  Kodiak Hunters, Grizzlies and Kodiak Magnums often sell for less than $200.00 .  Great bows for the money.

Trap

63 Pearson colt, 67 Kodiak hunter, 75 Kodiak magnum, all hunt and I vastly prefer them to my 06 bows! I have a 30" draw and even with the 52" magnum I've never had finger pinch issues. A friend hunts with a late 50's Griz, 1957 I think. The vintage bows have better quality levels and materials than today's bows. And a spirit all there own!

I have two 70's bears.One is a 45lb kodiak hunter and I recently purchased a 50lb grizzly I really like the green wood and the fact I bought them for a hundred bucks apiece.

They out lasted the company founder and will probley out last most of us.Always us a bow stringer........bowdoc

Agree with 'doc;  Feel confident in using them...........Shick