Griffin vs. RACO

[John E.]

How do the RACO bows compare, functionally, to the Griffin bows, within the same weight/length class?  I bought a lightweight RACO that John had just finished, a few years ago, just to re-hab  my shoulder.  I have always enjoyed the bow and wondered if , functionally, it is the same as the Griffin, only with plain, laminated wood, etc. Performance-wise it astounded me how smooth, quick, and accurate it was. I am not sure that John even makes the RACO any more. I'm just wondering if I can justify the expense of a Griffin if I already have one in plain dress.

[2treks]

The RACO is more of a deflex/reflex bow.The GRIFFEN is a forward handle hybrid type. They are both great shooters, the Griffen will perform a bit better.

[Doc Nock]

I'd trust Chuck's input. I bought a RACO some years ago when John came to Baltimore shoot. Everyone who shot it was amazed at it's performance.

I found the forward handle of the griffin a bit more difficult to control shot-to-shot so from a repeatability of accuracy, the RACO out performed for me.  I only shot his demo Griffins there at B'more in subsequent years, so it wasn't really a comparison test.

They sure are pretty bows, the Griffins!  Alas, the RACO was one of the few Longbow's I ever got comfortable shooting but with some arthritis issues and shoulder surgery, the Raco is now on the Classifieds at 54#...

[owlbait]

I'm a little slow, OK Chuck, a LOT slow. What is a RACO? Any pics of both these bows so I know what your talking about? Or should I shut up and keep out of this one?

[owlbait]

[Red Boar]

Originally posted by owlbait:
I'm a little slow, OK Chuck, a LOT slow. What is a RACO? Any pics of both these bows so I know what your talking about? Or should I shut up and keep out of this one?

Was wondering the same myself.    :cool:

[2treks]

The RACO is a standard issue R/D bow. That will shoot as good as anything can. The Griffin is a forward riser Hybrid that shoots a bit better IMO, I cannot believe that the 54# RACO is still around. That will make somebody happy. Both bows are up to typical John standards. Don't even get me started on his Tsunami's

[owlbait]

What does RACO stand for/mean Chuck?

[The Butcher]

Shot a 45# Griffin at Denton, and it was a fast smooth bow, for that weight, shooting my heavy arrows even.  Not to mention John is as down to earth as they come.  He has a proto all carbon, griffin, that was awesome, and a real performer, just a little heavy for me (draw wgt) the bow, without string, weighed less than a pound I think, and was quiet, with nothing on the string.  Really nice.

[Bob Barnes]

RACO was a longbow that John made and sold before he started making the Shrews for Ron.  They were a "normal" d/r longbow that shot very well.

[AdamH]

Go ahead and get another, you'll have plenty of time to save for it, they are nice bows ...

[2treks]

Come on Mike, How long have you lived in Michigan? (Look on the map.)

[owlbait]

U.P.? What is the connection?

[2treks]

Just a nice name for a bow I guess,

[owlbait]

C'mon. CCC camp put a lot of people to work from downstate. WWII prisoner of war camp. What's the connection, don't quit now Swinehart!

[2treks]

OK! try to keep up. I will type slow for you.
Raco is a SMALL town in the U.P. John thought it was a cool name for a bow.end of story(now don't over think it Mike).

[owlbait]

Thanks Buddy! I was right about part of it. Why doesn't it have some hidden, historical connection? So his Griffen is named after small town Sheriff Andy ...wrong last name! Type slower next time, I had to read it twice