Whether you’re brand new to archery or just looking to upgrade your equipment, you don’t need to buy a brand new bow. In fact, buying a quality used bow is a great way to get started! When buying a bow that’s already been in play, your goal is to find a quality bow at a good price. That said, you want to make sure the bow is safe to use. You can do this by carefully inspecting the bow yourself or having a professional look it over for any signs of stress or damage.

Buying a used bow means making a smart purchasing decision while trying to minimize any potential risks that may come with used archery equipment. Since this may be your first experience buying a used bow, we hope to alleviate any anxiety you may experience during the purchasing process.

Successfully buying a used bow means buying one that’s not only safe, but also right for you.

Why Buy A Used Bow?

Buying lightly-used professional archery equipment is a smart way for archers to shoot quality equipment at a decent price. Let’s discuss the two main reasons why buying a used bow is the right choice for many archers.

1. To Save Money

The main reason people buy used equipment is to save money. In fact, many people choose to buy a used bow as their very first. The reason being, they can make any necessary improvements for less than the cost of a new bow. Finding a top-of-the-line bow without breaking the bank is possible, you just have to be patient.

2. To Reduce Waste

Many of today’s archers choose to place a focus on reducing waste. Not just within the sport of archery, but in their everyday lives. Those looking to minimize their footprint can purchase a used bow and use it for it’s entire lifespan…making sure nothing is wasted prematurely.

Research Your Options

Research is key to finding the best-used bows. Researching helps to ensure any second-hand bows you’re interested in purchasing still have many days ahead. The last thing you want is to purchase a used bow that’s defective or has something wrong with it. You’ll not only be out good money, but there’s also a possibility of injury.

Manufacturers/ Brands

There are a number of bow manufacturers around today, making it difficult to know which brand is right for you. Here’s where it’s important to do your research and choose a solid bow manufacturer. Choosing a cheap, budget brand may help get you started, but won’t last. Buying a solid brand will help you shoot more accurately and keep your equipment working well into the future.

Prices

Understanding new vs. used bow pricing lets you know when you come across a good deal. Once you know what new bows sell for, you can gauge what you’re willing to spend on a used bow. It’s also important to keep in mind bow accessories. If a used bow comes with all the extra equipment like sights, a rest, and more, then that should factor into the deal.

Reviews

Online reviews are a great way to find out what people are saying about a certain bow you’re interested in buying. Are the reviews positive or negative? Read bow reviews in detail to learn any specifics that can affect the performance of a bow, including possible flaws and defects. This can include anything such as design flaws, poor materials, limb failures, and more.

Parts

Before purchasing a used bow, it’s important to know if replacement parts are still available. If parts are available, that’s great! If not, you may have to purchase another bow once something breaks, which is a risk. Replacement parts for used bows can also be expensive, so you may want to check affordability before making an actual purchase.

Know Your Specs

Buying a bow means knowing your specs. You must buy a bow that fits so you can shoot to the best of your abilities. The right fit is everything when buying a bow, so be sure you know your exact measurements.

Draw Length

Draw length is the distance from the nock point to the throat of the bow grip and can be measured in a number of ways. This number is extremely important so you can find a bow that fits you correctly. The wrong draw length will compromise your form and limit your success as an archer. We have an article that’ll help if you need to calculate your draw length.

Draw Weight

Draw weight is the force necessary to pull the bow back and is represented in pounds. The higher the poundage, the more difficult it is to pull back. Unless you know the draw weight you can handle, it’s best to start on the lighter side while you build strength. If the poundage is higher than you can handle, you’ll struggle to pull it back and may even injure yourself.

Handedness

Be sure to buy a used bow that matches your handedness as this determines whether you need a left or right-handed bow. Holding the bow with your left hand means you’re right handed (pulling the string with your right hand) and vice versa. If you’re not sure if you should shoot a left or right hand bow, this article should help.

Price & Value

Cheap is cheap so make sure you’re balancing price and value. While the low cost of a used bow can be enticing, the real value is determined by the quality of the bow. Is it a modern, high performance bow or something more outdated? Paying less doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice performance, but you do need know value when you see it. Understanding the real value of a bow will help you realize a bargain when you see it and make a confident purchase.

Buy A Gently Used Bow

Heavily used bows tend to break down faster, so be sure to buy a used bow that still has life left in it. Finding gently used equipment isn’t difficult to do as there are a few different reasons why archers sell their archery equipment. Some reasons include the need for the latest in bow technology, the need to reduce equipment they don’t use often, and a few who decide archery isn’t for them.

Think of it like buying a used car…you don’t want the car that was neglected and abused, you want the car that’s had regular maintenance, driven with care, and parked in the garage. So, be sure to buy something that has many years of use ahead of it.

Finding a Used Bow

When looking to buy a used bow, there are a few options available. My advice is to keep your options open when searching, as you never know when or where a good bow will turn up.

Local Archery Shops

Many archery shops carry used equipment, often purchased from archers who visit the store. This is one of the safest options when buying a used bow as shops will conduct their own inspection and service the bow to ensure it’s in good resale condition. It’s also one of the best options for buying a used bow at a good price. Some shops even offer a warranty or the option to return the bow within a certain period of time. Simply call your local archery shop to see what they have in stock and what they can offer.

Buying Locally

A great way to buy archery equipment is directly from local archers! I recommend meeting at your local archery range so you can physically examine the overall condition of the bow before you purchase. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are two of the more popular places to find used bows for sale. If you find a bow you’d like to buy, be sure to inspect it or meet at your local archery shop to have it professionally inspected for any issues.

Buying Online

Purchasing a bow online is another great option as there are many more options and it’s incredibly convenient. eBay is a top source for buying used bows, but know there’s some risk involved when buying online since it’s sight unseen. Even with good photos and lighting, it’s easy to overlook issues such as hairline cracks. Check the seller’s ratings for better odds of not being taken advantage of. Also know that buying used equipment online often does not come with a refund, so just be mindful in making a purchase.

Inspecting A Used Bow

You should always carefully inspect any used bows you’re interested in purchasing for potential damage. While used bows don’t need to be in perfect condition, they do need to be in good enough condition to function safely.

• Check For Cracks: Check for both large and small cracks on the limbs, riser, cams, etc. Even the smallest hairline crack can cause the bow to break, so don’t overlook anything. If any crack is considered cosmetic, be sure to double check with your local archery shop.
• Check The Cams: For used compound bows, check for dents, cracks, chips, bending, and uneven wear and tear taking place in the bow’s cam system.
• Check The Bow String: Is the bow string frayed? Have broken strands? Uneven wearing near the cam system? How old is the string? Answers to these questions give you clues as to how the bow was used and cared for by its owner. If the previous owner didn’t even bother to wax the string, that’s a good indication that it wasn’t really cared for.
• See How It Performs: Shooting a used bow helps determine if it’s still in good condition. Ask the seller to take a shot while you pay attention to how well it performs. Listen for any odd sounds or vibrations and take notice of arrow flight. If no performance issues are found, ask to shoot the bow yourself to see if it’s a fit.

Learn Its History

To learn about the history of a used bow you must ask the right questions. Asking the right questions before making a commitment to purchase helps ensure your money is well spent. It’s important to know if the seller is simply upgrading, if they’re no longer participating in the sport, or if they’re getting rid of the bow due to functioning problems. Your goal is to figure out if the used bow they’re selling is safe and the right bow for you. Here are a few questions you may try asking the seller to learn more about the history of the bow:

• Why are you selling it?
• Are you the first owner?
• Where did you purchase it?
• How often did you use it?
• Have you made any modifications?
• Was the bow maintained/serviced properly?
• Have you ever dry fired the bow?
• How was the bow stored?

Purchasing A Used Bow

Since most used bow sales are final, performing due diligence improves your chances of buying a good bow. Everyone knows that buying used equipment comes with a certain level of risk, but it can be well worth the time spent. Even though finding the best used bow at a great price may take some time, using the above information helps ensure you find a safe, quality bow.

Personally, I have been shooting a used compound bow for years now. I knew the seller and have shot with him in tournaments many times. I know he takes great care of his equipment and enjoys the latest and greatest bows. At one point he was selling his BowTech to upgrade to something new and I had no hesitation in making the purchase. So my advice is to get out there, meet fellow archers and strike up conversations, you never know what may come from it!

Conclusion

Buying a used bow is a great decision for many archers. Simply, decide on the brand/model of bow you’re looking for, thoroughly inspect any bows you find for sale, and make the purchase if the bow is indeed safe. Buying a used bow can save you a lot of money, especially if you find professional grade equipment at a bargain price. Just be sure to take great care of your equipment so it lasts. Who knows, one day you may even sell it to another archer so you can upgrade to something that better fits your progress as an archer.