I've read a lot about the post 1959 Bear shooters... the early 60's Kodiaks and such. How about the earlier, albeit less "fancy", Bear bows? Is there a general consensus as to any particular model's good performance?

Happy hunting.

1955, 1956 and 1957 Kodiaks and Kodiak Specials are the top Bear Shooters IMO. Get one in your hands, shoot a few arrows and you will see what it is all about!  

What Bjorn said X2, cheaper than the "coin" years as well.

Love shooting the 57 Kodiaks 60" One of the best shooting that I have had my hands on

got a 58 kodiak ..how do you guys feel they shoot? I like mine...it's 56" .....sow belly

I've heard nothing but good things about the way the '58 Kodiak shoots but I haven't any personal experience, yet...

Post picks if you can, how far do you draw that little 56"er?

I own a '56 Kodiak and shot '57 and '58 and the '56 shot better IMHO.

1955 and 1956 may be the best shooting Kodiaks of all time.  

Those narrow limb tips get the job done.

Trap

I like the '57 Kodiak and the '59 Grizzly,,great grips very smooth shooting bows.

I agree with Trap ... I love the looks, the feel and the performance of the narrow limb tip years!!! They still feel like a longbow in your hand but with the added benefit of the recurve.

I'm also a big fan of the '57 kodiak, but recently acquired a '57 Kodiak Special and a '58 Kodiak Special and found those two bows excellent to handle.  

I have not had a chance to shoot the 55 and 56 models, but expect all the reports are accurate about them being shooters as well.

Agree with all,hard to beat the'55 thru'58s,,,,my '56 54# is my go to bow. Dick

Hey Lon
I think I had a 56 KS 64" 50# at Ted's, but you locked on to that'62 Grizzly and never looked up..

Kurt...that 62 Grizz was calling my name.  

I absolutely love the 56-58's man, some of the best shooting bows I have.