After a year of shooting recurves I wanted to try a longbow. I came across a deal on a used Bear Montana longbow and was wondering from those that owned them and not just shot one,
what's your opinion on that bow? I've shot a cheaper longbow and shot it very well, actually better than my recurve.

Had a bear Montana for a few years, I got it the first year they came out to try out a longbow coming from recurves (my younger pre widow days)...would still have it but it got destroyed in a fire. Personal thing...I can't sell bows I have killed with. It's an ok bow. Its tough as nails...over built...and as a result slow as molasses. It's quite.

For the price you can get much better longbows out there now.

   I've had my Montana for a long time. I really enjoyed shooting it,but had to e retire it because 60lbs became to much for me. I still shoot it once in a while just to prove to myself that I can handle it . I'm down to 50 now and more comfortable. I found the Montana to shoot where I was looking and didn't notice any hand shock. I think you will enjoy it.

In my research I had read at one time they had trimmed down the grip size and also the limb tips but not sure what year that was. I've seen a lot of good video reviews on it so when an offer to buy one for cheap I went for it, I haven't got it yet though.

Modifying the tips helps with speed some. The original grip was a brick...or 2x4...pretty awful stuff...so modifying it is a good idea unless you enjoy blocky grips.

Again...is a ok bow. Solid. However, there are much much better longbows out there in the same price range now (wasn't much to choose from years ago).

I'm really into the recurves but wanted to have a longbow to play with and I think this will do for less than 200.00.

At that price...worth playing with. Read up on mods for it. They are worth doing.

I had one of the orginal ones. I bought it as a backup. I also did the mods to the grip and tips. The do along was on this site. I sold it to a new guy a few years ago. He enjoys it now. But, Christmas Eve I was in one of the big box sporting goods stores looking for fudge. They had a new one so I had to fondle it. It actually felt good in my hand , not bulky, clean lines. Was under 4 bills. If I was looking I would consider that bow.

I love my 50# Montana. I cant say enough good things about this bow.

I have seen a lot of reviews on the Montana over the years and the vast majority have been positive.I have not had one personally.

https://youtu.be/IRGpYMQ4MuE


Review

That's some great shooting and a fine endorsement for the Montana. I always enjoy watching Jeff shoot and saw a video of his daughter shooting.  She's learning well. That bow is quiet and has no silencers. 

The mail finally got the bow to me after two weeks. It was in great condition and I have been having fun shooting it, I'm very happy with it.
It is brown instead of black which I really like.

I've had a 50# Montana since 2008. It shoots well for me and I have nothing bad to say about it except that it's pretty slow. My buddies get a chuckle out of the arc on my long shots compared to their widow recurves. I'll never sell it.

Yep, my Montana @28.5 460grn at 45# is 152fps., not fast at all but fun to shoot.
I never shoot over 25 yards so arc on a long shot isn't an issue for me.

Quote from: MattfromVT on January 07, 2021, 09:51:37 AM
I've had a 50# Montana since 2008. It shoots well for me and I have nothing bad to say about it except that it's pretty slow. My buddies get a chuckle out of the arc on my long shots compared to their widow recurves. I'll never sell it.

Quite a price difference?

Quote from: 1Canvas on January 07, 2021, 01:52:36 PM

Quote from: MattfromVT on January 07, 2021, 09:51:37 AM
I've had a 50# Montana since 2008. It shoots well for me and I have nothing bad to say about it except that it's pretty slow. My buddies get a chuckle out of the arc on my long shots compared to their widow recurves. I'll never sell it.

Quite a price difference?

Oh for sure. 3x the price at least for a widow. Like I said, I love my Montana and wouldn't get rid of it. It's just slower than a lot of other bows I've shot, including Bear Grizzlies.

Coming from compounds last year and starting into recurves I started looking at speeds I could get out of my maximum 45# draw for hunting I was very disappointed.