Martin X-200

[DanDaMan]

Hello all, I am looking for opinions on the Martin X200 for a first trad bow for my wife.  We looked at some and found a 35lb @28 that she liked.  She pulls 25.5 so I figure she is pulling around 27 to 29 lbs.  Just would like a little feedback on this bow.  Is there better bows out there to be had for around $350?  This will be her first bow in trad, but she does have archery experience.  If she really takes to it like I think she will I will get her a nice custom, so this is just to get started and have a bow that I can let other folks use to get them started in trad.
Dan

[mrkbsm]

My wife's first was a 35# Martin Stick... not a bad bow for the money.

[geno]

Did you check out the classifieds here ? good bows for same money..

[DanDaMan]

I have been crusing the classifieds for several weeks looking.  Found some great ones, but sometimes you just cant please a woman cause she really doesn't want one with someones name on it.

[Labs4me]

Dan,

My wife, Natalie has been shooting a Martin X-200 since the early '90s. We purchased it new at Three-Rivers Archery when they were at their former location- so it's been a while for sure. Her bow is 40#s at 28" and is 60" long (her draw is about 25"). Although my wife does not hunt deer, she does shoot her bow quite a bit at our 3-D targets out back.

As far as an entry level bow, I can't imagine a better bow than the X-200. In a literal sense, it has been strung/unstrung well over a thousand times with no issues whatsoever. Although not as pretty as many custom bows, it is well made, durable, smooth to draw and accurate. I set my wife's Martin up the same way I set up my Widows as far as shelf material, string silencers, etc.

My wife really enjoys her X-200 and refers to it as, "My little Martin."

[dachba]

The X200 is a perfectly good bow.  If it was me, I would be looking for a Hunter, instead, but it may be hard to find one in that draw weight.

My wife shoots a Martin Prodigy which is very light weight (mass weight).  I don't know if Martin still makes them. She loves the little recurve and is very accurate with it.

Dave in Ft. Collins, CO

[deersled2]

personally, I wouldn't buy a new one. I bought a x200 in excellent shape for $145 to my door. I love it. There was a #35 x200, appeared to be in great shape, on another site for $200 a couple months ago. If you want the website, let me know.

[High Plains bowman]

If your a looking for a good bow that will stick with you, look no further.  I own an X-200 and it is a great bow; very forgiving to shoot, smooth, and very graceful. This has been my first bow and I have yet to take an animal with it, other than the foamy variety. I have also had my wife shoot a lower pound weight in the X-200 and she really enjoyed it. Check out these websites for some better prices on these bows:

http://www.biggameproshop.com/traditional-archery.htm

http://www.fsdiscountarchery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=73

http://www.above-timberline.com/store-categories-Martin-Traditional-Bows_1712057.html

Anyway hope that helps. If you have any othe questions let me know.

Matt

[b8fshn]

Bought mine at big game pro shop best price and really fast delivery check them out. The guy was very nice who answered a couple questions from there also. The x 200 was my first bow and I still use it. It is smooth and a nice looking bow. I found it shot better with a bear weather rest. I think 350 is high though. I think bass pro or cabelas had them for 299 and big game pro shop beat that.

[Rob DiStefano]

IMO, the X-200 makes for a fine lightweight trad bow for learning and for hunting.  

For those who need a lightweight draw (25-35#), I think a recurve is better than a longbow (or even a hybrid longbow) because at that light a draw weight the arra's gonna need all the "umpf" the bow can muster for decent speed.

[jts15]

If recurve is ok, I bought a new Chek Mate Falcon for $300 delivered.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by jts15:
If recurve is ok, I bought a new Chek Mate Falcon for $300 delivered.

Forgot about the Falcon!  Yes, better than the X-200 and so is the King's Pawn!  ChekMate bows are superb!

ChekMate Recurves

[Frank V]

I started my second time in trad with a Martin X200. I think they are a very good bow. I don't think your Wife will need to go to a more expensive bow unless she just wants to. Frank