1960 Bear Kodiak

[Draven]

Today I received my new bow, the 1960 Bear Kodiak.
Serial number BH375 makes the bow 1960, and is one of the 1960 Kodiak with copper medallion.

The bow is rated #45@26" which makes it close to #50 at my 28.25" draw and has a 60" AMO. It was not restored, the bow has just the normal use after almost 60 years. I made a couple of photos showing my Mamba and the Kodiak, because I was very surprised to see and feel how close in terms of design and ergonomics these bows are.

The bow has some stress lines on the limbs and the original side plate is scratched but I will keep it like this for the moment. The original feather arrow rest was "consumed" and I added a new one. The leather grip is in a very reasonable used state. I went out to the club with it to see how it holds - I need a new string, I used one that is for 62" AMO and is very twisted to get the correct brace height.
The bow is beautiful, sits in my hand perfect and it is very light - rivals with Mamba.

I shoot just 2 arrows and my feeling is that Kodiak is as accurate as Mamba, draws without stacking and is very stable even if it is so light. I am stoked, I never thought I will find something that can be close to Mamba, but this particular Kodiak remembered me the "Never say never" saying.
Once I will get the string for it I will take it on a test drive.

[Draven]

I erased the pics, were way too big.

[WinterHawk]

Nice! I had to right click on the photo and click "view image" to see the whole bow. It looks pretty. Let us know how it shoots!

~WH~

[Draven]

I will! Thank you

[Draven]

I received the new string for it and went out with the bow. I had some CE Pred 2 3050, around 425gr arrow overall.It shoots as accurate as I can be, very light in hand while wandering on the 3D course. Usually I shoot #55 and #74 bows, but even if is the lightest bow I have, I really like it. It's right behind my Mamba.

[WinterHawk]

Your shoulders and elbows will thank you for using the lighter bow, later in life! And if it shoots as well as you are able to, what more can you ask for? I remember back in the 1960s the archery magazines had articles suggesting using lighter bows for every day practice and moving up to the heavier bows a couple of weeks before hunting season opened. Enjoy it and have fun.

~WH~

[Draven]

Thank you WinterHawk, I am and will enjoy it. But I don't think is that smart to shoot 150-200+ arrows per session 3-4 days per week with it as I am doing with my regulars. This bow is all and beyond I was reading about. Made me think to get a new '59er for sure.

[bones77]

Definitely a not too common boo from those days. Heard the 1960 models were some of the best shooting out there. Enjoy ! Tom

[bones77]

BTW I have a 2014 version of the 59 Kodiak. It's my favorite bow hands down. It's been out on a few hunts already this season. Can't go wrong

[Draven]

It is a great shooter Bones77. This oldie is as accurate as I can be.

[Graggos]

Glad to see you're having fun with it. That's a fantastic bow. Congratz on the purchase.

[Draven]

Thank you Graggos!