My bow was dry fired twice

[Etter1]

#4047

I brought my 2009 black widow recurve down to camp this weekend for a work day and we did a lot of recurve shooting. I left my bow in the hands of some buddies to target shoot with and when I got back, they told me they had dry fired the bow twice. Apparently the arrows had fallen off the strings at full draw. I’ve never had that happen before but I shoot a tab and they all shoot gloves.

Anyway, I inspected the bow very well and can find nothing wrong. Since then, I’ve put about 50 arrows through it and it appears to shoot and sound the same. Do you think the bow is okay? Most things I’ve read online say that a well made glass bow should have no issue handling a few dry fires but it still sticks in my head. Thanks for any knowledge.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#26443

Etter1 wrote: Most things I’ve read online say that a well made glass bow should have no issue handling a few dry fires but it still sticks in my head.

I’ve often (re-assuringly) heard the same. But I agree – knowing a bow has been dry fired can be a hard thing to forget. However, if it is shooting fine, and you aren’t hearing any weird noises when you draw it, then you probably got lucky. Maybe someone more experienced than me will chime in with some more specifics to check for.

And that’s why I’m very particular about letting anyone shoot my bows, and never if I’m not there.

[coastalbendbows]

#26468

A dry fired bow will develop a crack in the riser or break from dry firing in the area in the back of the bow and usually be a vertical crack running from the notch in the shelf and window. Or where the window meets the shelf on the back side of the bow. Look at it carefully and see if you see anything. Being that you’ve run 50 or so arras through her she’s probably fine.

Hope this helps

Shawn

[mgerard]

#26473

Did you check it with a magnifier and different lighting? I would take those steps also to reassure myself that it was OK.

[Etter1]

#26510

I didn’t check it with a magnifier but have run a fingernail over every lamination on the bow and can’t find anything. And yes, my bow will be staying in my hands from here on. I tied up a little extra serving today to keep the arrows on a little tighter.

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