Does anyone know about Great Plains Archery?...Thinking of buying one of their bows...want some references on quality and craftsmanship?
Short answer, quality and craftsmanship are right up there with all the well known bowyers.
I think Bill Foreman is one of the best bow makers we have.
I have two Great Plains bows; a Paragon target bow and a B-model take-down recurve. They both shoot sweeeeet and the quality and craftsmanship are top notch. I have also shot on of his take-down longbows and thought highly of it.
If you get a Great Plains I think you will be very happy.
My "go to bow" is a Great Plains 3 piece recurve. Great shooting bow.
It is my understanding that Bill Foreman makes the Tomahawk bows for Three Rivers. I talked with Bill at Colverdale a couple of years ago. Great guy.
I got a B-Model Palo Duro takedown. Great looking and shooting bow. I have small hands and the grip fits my hand perfectly. Plus, the shelf sits right on top of my hand, just the way I like it.
I had a Great Plains Rio Bravo recurve that shot great for me. I noticed a slight delam in the riser a short time past the warranty period.
I called and Bill answered the phone. I explained the delam and he told me to ship it down to them and they would fix it. When I mentioned the bow's warranty being expired, he sai "We don't worry about that, just send her down." I did and they fixed it, quickly and good as new, no charge.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their bows.
Tim
Bill and his wife Linda are the nicest down to earth people. Bill is a supurb bowyer that has literally built thousand upon thousands of bows and been doing it for pretty close to 20 years I think too. I have two of his take down longbows, 4 sets of limbs and two one piece recurves. He is a remarkable craftsman and can do just about anything that you want as far as building a bow. Can't go wrong! dino
I have a Great Plains Take Down Longbow with extra limbs. One of the finest bows that I have ever owned and when I want to be real serious, it is the one I pick up.
Boy, am I glad I found this topic!
I came across Great Plains site while doing a search for a longbow and liked the looks of his T/D. But wasn't familiar with him.
Real glad to read all the kudos about his bows.
I had an original riser take down Rio Bravo. I bought it used and called GP. They looked up the serial and told me when it was made (97 I think) Anyway, It's going to be my one that got away. I thought I was overbowed with it but should have just gotten stronger because it looked awesome and shot great.
This was last year by the way and it still looked great 10 plus years later
I've owned two of his original model takedown recurves, and they were GREAT bows! If I still shot recurves I would still have them! Excellent company to do business with!
When I go hunting Wednesday morning it will be with an older(99) Rio Bravo TD. Shoots hard with no worries, what more can you ask for.
Great Plains is a TradGang sponsor also. Check the sponsor's link for his website. Great bows.
I shot one of his takedowns a while. Loved it. Attention to detail on craftmanship was perfect.Bow was smooth and fast and I loved it. I have that bow trading sickness MOST of us trad guys have and traded it....RC
I have a SR Swift, 48#@28" , 58"long I draw 29". It shoots a 750 grain birch arrow with remarkable speed and was my go to bow this past season. You can't go wrong with GP. Good quality and excellent performance.
He also builds the Tomahawk line of bows for 3Rivers. Everyone one of his bows are top notch.