Welcome to this comprehensive review of the Super Mag, a compelling offering from the renowned Bear Archery.
This recurve bow, retailing at $474.99, has garnered quite a buzz in the archery world, and our mission today is to delve into the heart of its appeal.
In the following sections, we will examine the Super Mag's key features, including its design, performance, and overall value for money.
We will draw insights from experts, users, and from our own hands-on testing.
By shedding light on its strengths, potential weaknesses, and comparing it to other bows in its class, we aim to provide you with an in-depth understanding of what this bow offers and whether it might be the right choice for your archery needs.
So, stay with us as we embark on this journey to discover the essence of the Super Mag.
Specifications
- Riser: Radiused, cut-on center shelf. Solid Bubinga. Rest and plate included. Tapped with 1/4″ x 20 quiver inserts. Inlaid Bear medallion1.
- Limbs: Clear Maple core lamination with black fiberglass on the back and belly. Bow tips are layered black and white fiberglass, which allows the use of today's modern bow strings1.
- String: Comes with a DynaFlight 97 Flemish twist bow string. Manufacturer recommended brace height: 8″ – 9″. Replacement string length of 44″.
- Handedness: Available in both left-handed and right-handed models.
It's worth noting that the Super Mag is not recommended for draw lengths over 28″.
Beyond this, users may experience stacking and serious finger pinch, which could affect accuracy and comfort during use.
Special Features and Accessories
The Super Mag's riser features a solid Bubinga construction, which is known for its strength and durability.
It also comes with a rest and plate included, and is tapped with 1/4″ x 20 quiver inserts, for those who prefer to carry their arrows on the bow itself.
The bow's limbs feature clear Maple core lamination with black fiberglass on the back and belly.
The bow tips are layered with black and white fiberglass, making them compatible with today's modern bow strings.
The Super Mag does not come with a bow stringer, which is recommended for stringing any recurve bow or longbow.
It's also advised to unstring your bow if you do not plan to shoot for more than a week, and to never dry fire the bow (shooting without an arrow).
In the next section, we'll delve deeper into the bow's performance, taking into account real users' experiences.
We'll also address any potential downsides or issues you may want to consider before making your purchase.
My Personal Experience
In my many years of bow hunting, I've had the pleasure of using a variety of bows, but the Super Mag has a special place in my heart.
As a compact hunting bow, it fits perfectly into my style of hunting in dense woods and from treestands.
The first time I held the Super Mag, its lightweight and compact design stood out immediately.
With a draw weight of 45lb, it felt comfortable and balanced in my hands.
The grip, designed with a medium wrist, provided a firm hold without adding any unnecessary strain to my hand or forearm, a feature that's much appreciated during long hunting sessions.
The real test, of course, came during the hunt.
The Super Mag proved to be a formidable ally in the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Its compact size allowed me to move easily through thickets and underbrush without the bow getting caught or slowing me down.
The maneuverability this bow offers in such conditions is truly remarkable.
Drawing the bow, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Super Mag was as smooth as it was powerful.
With a draw length just under 28″, I experienced no stacking or finger pinch, and the release was fluid and swift.
The sound of the bowstring snapping back into place was hardly noticeable, adding to the stealth factor so critical in hunting.
One memorable hunt comes to mind when discussing the Super Mag's performance.
I was tracking a large buck that had eluded me for several days.
As the buck moved through a particularly dense part of the forest, I realized this was my moment.
I quietly maneuvered myself into position, the compact Super Mag making it easy to remain hidden.
With a smooth draw and release, the arrow flew straight and true, bringing down the buck.
It was a testament to the Super Mag's accuracy and power, even in the most challenging conditions.
However, the Super Mag isn't without its quirks.
As previously mentioned, it's not suitable for archers with a draw length over 28″.
I found this to be true during some of my longer shots, where the bow started to stack, affecting accuracy and comfort.
So, while the Super Mag excels in many aspects, it may not be the best fit for everyone.
Despite this, the Super Mag has proven to be a reliable and effective tool in my hunting arsenal.
Its design, performance, and the unique experience it offers have made it one of my go-to bows for many hunting trips.
It's a bow that embodies the essence of traditional archery, while still delivering the performance needed in the modern hunting world.
What are people saying?
Steph: Steph, a petite woman and a bowhunter, found the Bear Super Mag 48 to be perfect for her size and shooting style.
She reported no issues with stacking or finger pinch, and found the bow easy to set up.
She was able to shoot accurately at 20 yards, and praised the bow's quietness and effectiveness for hunting in a blind.
She recommended this bow for everyone, not just short ladies.
Grant: Grant, who is new to archery, chose the Bear Super Mag 48 as his starting traditional recurve bow.
He was impressed by the craftsmanship, and noted that the bow felt excellent in his hand.
He found it to shoot smoothly and quietly, and was excited to try longer distance shooting.
These positive reviews highlight the satisfaction of different users with the Bear Super Mag 48, praising its design, usability, and shooting performance.
The Drawbacks
While the Bear Super Mag 48 excels in many areas, no product is without its drawbacks.
One area where some users might find the Super Mag 48 lacking is in its suitability for those with a longer draw length.
As I mentioned earlier, the Super Mag 48 is not recommended for draw lengths over 28 inches, as this can lead to stacking and finger pinch.
Anecdotally, I remember one particular hunting trip where I lent my Super Mag 48 to a buddy who had a draw length just over that 28-inch mark.
Despite the bow's otherwise stellar performance, he found it less comfortable to use due to this stacking issue.
It's a minor point, and it didn't ruin our hunting trip, but it's something to bear in mind if you're considering the Super Mag 48 and have a longer draw length.
Another minor point to consider is the absence of a bow stringer in the package.
Though not a deal breaker, for the uninitiated, this might add an extra step in setting up the bow for the first time.
Nevertheless, these drawbacks are relatively minor when weighed against the many strengths of the Bear Super Mag 48, and they certainly don't detract from its overall value as a top-quality hunting bow.
Should You Buy? Concluding the Review
The Bear Super Mag 48 is a remarkable piece of archery equipment, combining the classic design ethos of Fred Bear with modern materials and manufacturing techniques.
This bow's compact size, easy maneuverability, and serious performance make it an excellent choice for the discerning bowhunter, particularly those who prefer hunting from treestands or in brushy conditions.
The Super Mag 48's performance is backed up by glowing reviews from archers of all stripes.
Whether you're a petite woman looking for a bow that suits your size and shooting style, a beginner to archery wanting to start with a traditional recurve bow, or a seasoned hunter looking for a reliable and effective tool, the Super Mag 48 has something to offer.
While there are some minor drawbacks to consider, such as the potential for stacking and finger pinch for those with longer draw lengths, and the absence of a bow stringer, these issues are relatively minor and can be addressed with proper usage and accessories.
They certainly do not detract from the many strengths of this bow.
At the price point of $474.99, the Bear Super Mag 48 provides considerable value for money, given its high-quality construction, performance, and the rich heritage it carries.
It's an investment in a piece of equipment that, with proper care, will serve you well for many hunting seasons to come.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a compact, high-performance recurve bow that embodies the spirit of traditional archery while incorporating modern technology, the Bear Super Mag 48 is certainly worth considering.
Happy shooting!
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