Matlock longbows

[term]

Hoping some one can help me with this. I am somewhat familiar with Bill's longbows and know he made alot of different models. But if a person wanted a crazy fast Matlock longbow. What models would they be looking for. Not caught up in the speed. I knew Bill when he lived on Mo, and have one of his bows. Just thought it might be something I might be interested in messing with. Thanks for any help you might have. term

[JRY309]

I would think any of his along the Predator lines.I think the Predator X3 was his last model I believe.I have a Predator X and it is plenty fast.Pound for pound one of my fastest bows and a great shooter.

[Steelhead]

Yaa the X-3 would be his fastest longbow.The other predator models would be very fast as well.

The Matlock  Swift recurve with a carbon back is also a real smoker

[Lost Arra]

You are probably aware of this but make sure his signature (WC Matlock) is on the bow usually with a Predator character. I think someone took over his business when he was ill (Roadrunner Archery??) and some bows were not made by him.



I've got a 58" Predator he made for his wife (now ex) that is only 32#@28" but it smokes an arrow. She also had an unfinished Swift I wish I had bought.

[michaelschwister]

I had a 1990 matlock "roadrunner"  It had 6" of backset and two layers of carbon on the back.  It was 65#@28 and shot a 540 grain shaft 228 fps through his chrony.  Bill then shot the same arrow through a customers 65# @ 28 Ben Pearson "Point Blank" compound and got 227 fps through the same chrony.  By the customers actions I think Bill Lost him as a customer.  Bill lived in Safford AZ at the time. I regret to say I sold that bow in the early 00s.

Mike

[Tajue17]

did Bill make Lead injected risers to up the mass weight?  I shot a preditor X before that was as heavy as a T/D cocobolo recurve and the owner said it had lead in the riser,,,,, just not sure if someone else did that or Bill offered it?

[term]

Thank you all for the help. Any pics out there of an x2 or x3. term

[tippit]

Bill's Predator series has a very distinctive fore finger & thumb grove.  His tips are like no other bow I've seen.  You can tell a Matlock by just looking at it.  I have a few and one that wasn't signed.  But when you lay it beside one of his, you know it's a Matlock.

Here is a picture of one of his person bows with cobra skin...tippit

 

 

[ryan brodrick]

anyone have contact info for bill? i paid him over $1200.00 for a bow almost7 years ago and told him he could use the money to help pay his bills at the time if he made me a new bow in the future. i know he was on some hard times. i would just like to talk to him.

Thanks,
Ryan Brodrick
Nebraska

[WarDancer]

Bill Matlock died several years ago.

[ryan brodrick]

dangit thats too bad. i talked with bill on and off  for some time after he had a stroke. he seemed to be doing a little better then but was still on hard times and then we just lost contact about 3 years ago. bill was doing stuff with bows 10 years ago and more that people now think is radical    good bows. good man.  very sad to hear about him passing.

[Elk whisperer]

MY friend talked to Bill the other day

[Lamey]

7-Eyes had a few,  maybe he will post some pics if he sees this topic.

[newell38]

bill is still alive.

[John Krause]

I had a Predator X2 50 lbs that I sold several years back. Wish I didn't. Probably the fastest bow I ever owned. Got some one on one instruction from him at the Flatrock shoot (MO) several yrs ago and watched his son shoot at a seminar he did for the UBM. Still have his tunning manual.

[michaelschwister]

I thought bill had a stroke several years ago.  I had assumed he was unable to build bows. I have not spoke with him since 1990.

[Elk whisperer]

Bill has someone that is going to help him build some bows again

[BrokenArrows]

I've got a Predator X3, purple heart riser, bamboo and red elm limbs.

Odd length (63"), but a very nice shooter. Quiet, even w Fast Flight Plus strings and no silencers.

I really like the tip design too.

Grizz Carley in Corrales NM talked to him last week. He might be building/help someone else build bows again soon.

[Mint]

I have an X3 that has a weighted handle that i got directly from Bill. I also have a Predator Too, and a Predator X. They all shoot great and all are fast.

[BrokenArrows]

Grizz in Corrales has several used Matlock longbows for sale in his shop. Also has copies of Bill's book on tuning and shooting trad bows.

The Archery Shop in Albuqueruqe has a used Matlock recurve for sale. Don't see many of them?

People appreciate them around here; used Matlocks are going for $500 and up.