Thinking of first new bow in several years. What to go short. Java helms deep or shrew lil favorite? 56in. I've only got a25.5 draw so not worrying about pinch. Want to end up 42 -43 lbs. Any opinions.

I have a lil favorite in 56" and it's been a great little bow for my near 30" draw. Probably can't go wrong with either bow you mentioned.

I have a Shrew Lil-Fav, my go to turkey bow I can shoot it just fine with my backside parked on my shorty hunting stool.
I draw it to 30.5 with no issues Fine little bow that shoots well for me.

Super Shrew Lil Favorite and with your shorter draw you could get more from a 54" model versus 56".  Shrewbows.com has a listing of in stock bows and there's probably a few that would fit your specks.

I have heard very good things about Dan Toelke's Pika, 54"&56".

I had a mccullagh griffin. Very nice bow. But now have a thunderchild.  Suits me much better and is nice to look at.

Take a look at big Jim's bows if for nothing else to torment yourself.

54" Black Widow KB

Border ghille dhu.

I have a 58" Javaman Assyrian and a Stalker Jackyal 54" static Recurve. Can't go wrong with either of these.

You may also want to take a look at a 56" Toelke Chinook. I recently acquired a 45#@28" from a TG member and the bow is longbow quiet, fast and a nock buster.

i've got a Bruin 56" that mike had its smooth and well behaved even at my 30" draw . the riser just lets you open up

TimberGhost may be a worthy consideration....a 60'r strings to the length of typically strung 56" curve...ken has considerably shorter models...likely the fastest bow made in the U.S. ...shoots great out to 40 yards which is a far as I have tested it.

56" Kanati is worth a look.

Here it is nothing comparable.....http://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/df60201c-b0e4-4afa-959f-613be568e74b/2AA58C2A-E050-4770-AE8E-571AAFA0BCF3.jpeg/:/cr=t:25.25%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:49.5%25/rs=h:1300,cg:true.   Bivouacbowco.com comes in recurve also..

I love my Great Northern Lil' Creep.  I hunt on the ground and with my normal cant I get good ground clearance.  58", thin grip, very light weight, silent, no stacking and shock-free and excellent craftsmanship.

I shot a 50" longbow the other day, blew my mind. Didn't stack overly bad and was fun to shoot. Felt like a toy bow but sure didn't shoot like one. Not going to say who the builder is, but it should be a hit. Like the rest of his bows. Now if he makes it in a take down model

Can't go wrong with either.  I recently picked up a Javaman Elkheart, 56" 45# @ 28" and it is just as smooth as can be to shoot!

Been on a 58 chinook for nearly a year now. Can't put it down.