Getting back in the archery game is exciting. You finally get to hold your compound bow once again.
As you go to get it out, you might notice that it’s in pretty bad shape. You might also start to wonder, “is it safe to shoot an old compound bow?”
As a general rule, it’s best to make sure a weapon is safe before firing it. Picking up a compound bow after leaving it in the dust for a while and expecting it to be good to go is unsafe. Nevertheless, it can be easily restored to its former glory. That way, it’ll be much safer to use.
Read on to get a better idea of how you can safely use your compound bow. You can also find out how old is too old for your compound bow.
How to Know if It’s Safe to Shoot an Old Compound Bow?
To know if your compound bow is safe to use, we recommend leaving it to the professionals. Their safety check-up is highly necessary. You can find them in an archery shop nearby.
Without a proper inspection, your compound bow could be vulnerable to snapping and other unwanted accidents.
Apart from the well-being of the bow, you should make sure you’re physically ready to make your shot.
The good news is that a compound bow doesn’t require as much upper body strength as other bows. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to get a good stretch before you take your aim.
That being said, you can also perform your own safety check-ups. There are a lot of variables that will affect the condition of your compound bow.
For instance, a bow stuck in the garage for ten years will look a lot different than one kept in its bow case for a couple of years. How you store your compound bow can make a world’s difference.
Luckily, there’s a standard way to make sure your compound bow is safe to use, regardless of how it’s looking.
Here are some of the parts on your compound bow you should be inspecting before your first shot.
What You Should Inspect
Take a good look at the bow’s strings. Chances are, you might detect some fraying here and there.
Next up, you’ll want to perform a quick test to see how your bow’s limbs are doing. All you have to do is go over them with a cotton ball. If you notice the cotton ball snagging in some areas, that means there are splinters.
Limb damage usually means that the compound bow was placed in either a hot or cold area for too long.
Try drawing your arrow. Is it centered with your string? If not, you might get a fishtail shot. In this instance, you need to align your arrow rest with the string.
Lastly, you might want to take a quick look at the screws and make sure they’re fastened securely.
When Should a Compound Bow Be Replaced?
In most cases, you likely won’t need to replace the whole compound bow. Among all other bows, compound bows can last you the longest, up to 25 to 30 years.
Other than that, you might want to get the occasional check-up and replace a few parts like your strings.
That being so, not all compound bows have the same owner. In other words, how long your bows last majorly depend on how often you use them and take care of them.
Here are a few factors worth considering to lengthen your compound bow’s lifespan.
- Storage quality: how well you maintained the bows.
- Usage: how often you used them.
- Number of Accidents: That means how much damage it’s sustained from falling or experiencing dry fires (shooting with no arrow).
- Shooting Form: A bad shooting form can easily mess with your bow’s integrity.
Do Compound Bows Lose Power Over Time?
After leaving it for a prolonged period, your compound bow might need a few tune-ups. If you’re thinking whether the bow would’ve lost some power over the years, well there’s little to worry about.
As long as your limbs, strings, cables, arrow rest, etc. are intact, then fire away. Your compound bow won’t go weak on you.
If you notice a few hiccups in its performance, it probably just needs a good look-over and maybe a couple of replacement parts. Other than that, we say enjoy all the firepower you can get from your bow.
How To Maintain the Safety of Your Compound Bow
After restoring your compound bow to full safe use, it’s time to think about how to maintain that safety.
Here are some tips to help you out.
Tip 1: Perform Weekly Check-ups
Every week, you’ll want to check for any wear and tear signs around your bow. At some point, you might feel an irregularity. The bow might not be making the same sound you’re used to.
That’s when you should immediately treat it before it turns into a full-fledged reoccurring issue. We highly recommend visiting an archer shop since they’re better equipped at pinpointing any potential flaws.
Tip 2: Synchronize Your Bow Cams
Your bow cams are essentially responsible for your draw. You’ll find them on the corners of the bow. You might have a two-cam bow.
In that case, make sure they’re both synchronized throughout your draw cycle. Otherwise, your shot won’t be the same.
You can adjust them yourself or simply let a professional handle it.
Tip 3: Maintain Your Cable and Strings
Keeping your strings and cables waxed will ensure a longer lifespan. If you notice any damage, then replacing them is your only option.
As a rule of thumb, you should replace your strings and cable approximately every 12 to 18 months.
After getting a replacement for your old compound bow, bowstring wax should be at the top of your shopping list.
If you see yourself using the bow every few days, then you can put the wax on every week. Otherwise, a monthly waxing job could also be adequate.
Try not to apply the wax too roughly. You don’t want the friction that comes with it since it could ruin your cables.
Tip #4 Focus on Your Drawing Length
Before drawing your arrow, you need to consider the drawing length. If you keep going farther back than necessary, you risk damaging your bow’s limbs.
Here’s how you can calculate your drawing length.
- Stand with your back to the wall and raise both arms beside you (90 degrees).
- Measure the distance between your left to right middle finger or your wingspan.
- Once you calculate the distance in inches, minus it by 15 then divide it by 2.
That will be your draw length.
To Conclude
Is it safe to shoot an old compound bow? The answer is that it can be. With proper inspection and maintenance, your compound bow can turn up as good as new.
On some occasions, you might need to consider a replacement. That’s usually if the compound bow surpassed a 30-year mark. Other than age, the condition and storage quality can make or break your restoration process.
It’s never too late to get back in the archery game. Having a compound bow yields numerous advantages. For a better comparison, check out our article titled “Crossbow vs. Compound Bow: What’s the Difference?”