Chooch

I am looking to buy a used bow. I have thought about looking at e-bay or someplace online. I am worried that I might get one that was dry fired or something else done to it that would not show up in the pictures. What effect does dry firing have on modern day bows? I know it can't be good a few years back the folk tell was that it would shatter the limbs. Is this still the case or was that ever true. If you have anything about dry firing let's talk about it. I am interested in hearing your first hand stories if you have any.

AK NIMROD

THERE IS ALOT OF VIBRATION WHEN A BOW IS DRY FIRED IT CAN DAMAGE THE BOW BUT MAY NOT. AFTER A BOW IS DRY FIRED IT NEEDS TO BE CHECKED VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE IT IS FIRED AGAIN.

akbowhunter

i got my bow on e-bay, very happy with it. there are some that are new just last year modles that are going fairly cheep i paid 450 for my new bowtech black knight.
Ron

8PT

<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> I can tell you what it did to mine. Bent cam, bent idler, and bent axels. No damage to limbs thank goodness. 2000 model

lamb1647

I don't know anything about dryfires, other than the sound is unbelievable, but I can tell you I sold 3 compounds over the net on archery classifieds all of which I had purchased new. If in doubt, communicate with the seller and see if he will give you a 1 week period to have the bow checked out at a pro shop after you receive it. If it is deemed to be damaged goods, he should agree to take it back.

Bill

Bowhunter_45

My friend recently dryfired his bow. He was not lucky...he had his limb get damaged, and he can't shoot his bow 'til he buys a new limb.

tom

razorhunter

Anytime you have a dry fired bow, the axles should be replaced immediately. Most of the time they bend, and even if they do not appear bent, replace them anyway.
As for the limbs, many times they can be damaged, and it can't be seen. However, most of the time, the limbs end up being ok. I have seen several bows dry fired, and this has been the case. I have never seen cams that got damaged, but I know it is possible.

buckhunter3

I have seen the results of a bow when the limbs shatter.I was in a pro shop when an archer brought in a bow he fired with an arrow on it.He was trying to get more speed from his bow and wasn't using the right length or spline which I see hunters doing all the time.It ends up just like dry firing a bow.

Ky_Bowhunter

I would never buy a bow that i couldnt handle first. I always go to a shop to purchase my bows. Ive never ordered one.

Biteme/Paul Mohr

I agree with the above post, If I can't hold it in my hand first I don't want it. To me buying bows is like buying speakers, they only sound good if you think they sound good.

Besides, with archery, I want the waranty and support incase I need it.

I have met poeple that got some great deals on the net, and others that have been conned or ripped off. But I have also met people that had very bad experiences in shops also. I wouldn't do it though unless maybe it was someone from this site like Frank or Len that has a good reputation.

Paul