Opinions wanted on 80's MAII

[thumper15]

I'm not too familier with all the history and models of the Black Widow bow company, so I'd like some input about the mid to late 80's MAII. What are your impressions of the bow, how they shoot, likes and dislikes. Also, what are your impressions of the refinish service black widow offers? Any help would be appreciated.

[Huntschool]

THumper:

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=096214

A little story I put up a week ago about my "older, Handcrafted MA III".

This is a 60 bow shooting 45#@28".  The bow shoots about as sweet as you could want.  I did spend a bit of time getting it as quiet as I wanted but thats typical with MA's.

I like it for its weight and stability in hand.  I also have a TF and a PLX.  I am kinda a Widow fan.

I had thought about sending her back and having  her refit to the PMA standards but decided I like her where she is at.  As to refinish from the boys at Nixa...  Have at it.  The work I have seen has been nothing short of excellent.

JMHO

[bucksdown]

i owned two in the 80's both shot great, sweet and smooth, i have to admitt a limb seperated and i called ken and roger, they sent me a bow close to my poundage to hunt with while they made me new limbs. i don't know very many companies that will do that. i've owned 5 widows, shot and owned other bows, but always come back to bw's.

[ron w]

Great Bows.....Mine is a bit newer a 1990, but still a fine bow!

[DennyK]

If I could find one lefthanded-I would buy it! The refinish work-excellent!

[L82HUNT]

The refinish service is very good.  It will be a bit different finish then the current one you have on the bow now.  They will also put the bow on the CNC machine so it would be a better fit with a newer set of limbs.  Late 80's (after fastflight compatible) and on, the MA and SA where IMO the best hunting bow built during the time.

[thumper15]

What's the difference in the limbs that needs to be work on the cnc?

[SteveT]

Thumper...my bro is here hunting until fri. he lives 2-3 mi from savannah, and i just happen to have a 89' ma2 if you would like ,i would send it home with him and you could get with him and shoot it for yourself....SteveT

[thumper15]

Thanks for the offer, I only have part of saturday free so if you think he could set something up then that would be great.

[Huntschool]

Thumper:

If you have one "in sight" I would suggest you buy it now.  They are few and far between in that vintage.  I truely doubt you can go wrong unless it is just too much draw weight for you.

[thumper15]

Hunt,
I plan on it believe me.

[L82HUNT]

Originally posted by thumper15:
What's the difference in the limbs that needs to be work on the cnc?

The bows made pre cnc where hand made so the limb butt and riser on one bow would be a perfect fit. But lets say you get a set of limbs made even the same year might be 1/16" wider and stick off the riser a bit. All they will do is reshape whatever may be just a little off.  

 Limbs that have not been resized can be shot off a cnc riser and viceversa they just may not match perfect.

[RkyMtn Joe]

Everything I have seen coming out of Nixa is first class.  The work they do is amazing and they are so consistent!  They do great work on all their bows and their refinishing is top rate.

[thumper15]

Well, I spent the day shooting emails back and forth with Roger at black widow today. Am impressed with that in itself, that I got answers to my emails not too long after sending them. I know I was probably getting on his nerves asking questions but he answered them. He let me know what needed milled on an old riser and other questions. I decided that if I should have one redone I'd drive down so I can check out all the options and details. So, for all the trouble I gave him over emails I greatly appreciated Roger's help.

[bucksdown]

it's good to know they haven't changed with the times. i said they treated me very good. it does surprise me that they didn't or could not make you a new set of limbs. mabe with the new cnc and it being older they no longer have the means. in the mid 90's i sent my riser to them and they made me new limbs to fit from the serial no. oh! i for got to mention in my last reply that i bought a maII from the 80's from a guy on here, 53# @ 31"  it still shoots as good as any other widow i've owned. actually smoother because my draw is 29". i hope you find some or can have it altered. you will be very pleased.

[thumper15]

Bucks
They can still make new limbs for the old bows but Roger said the have to mill the riser abit where it flairs into the limbs.

[Hookeye]

IIRC MA2's are blocky compared to the MA3's (while the latter is better looking IMHO I prefer the SA series).

Pre '87 or '88 bows are not fast flight rated above 35# or so. You could have a pre FF rated bow, or an older non FF era riser with newer limbs that are FF rated. You'll have to check what the limbs are, don't go by the riser # alone.

[thumper15]

Well I picked it up today, the riser is an 85 model and the limbs are 88 model. Doesn't really matter if it's FF or not. As long as I can shoot straight with it I doubt the deer will care. I think it'll be real sharp once I have BW refinish it. I'll have to decide if I'm going to have it milled to accept new limbs or keep it original.

[toehead]

I had a 1985 MAB (black) about 5 years ago that had been stripped and refinished.  it was about 56 @ 28 and one of the most accurate sweetest shooting bows I have ever shot to date.  Really liked the heavier riser.  Unfortunately one of the limbs delamed.  IF I had it to do all over again i would have sent it back to BW and paid for the new set of limbs for the riser.  the old limbs were great though before the delam.

[thumper15]

Depending on how this one shoots for me I might just have it refinished and later order a new PMA. But, it would be cheaper to have this one resized for limbs. I'd hate to change it though I'd prefer to leave it original. Time will tell what I'll do with it.