The Best Short Recurve Bows for Archery and Hunting
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Finding the right bow can feel like a quest in itself, especially when you need something compact and agile. If you’re looking for a best short recurve bow that excels in maneuverability, whether for horseback archery, dense woods, or simply a more portable option, you’ve come to the right place. I dove deep into the world of traditional bows, sifting through specifications and features to find those that offer that perfect blend of power and compact design. This guide is my research journey, laid out to help you navigate the options and confidently choose a bow that fits your shooting style and needs.
Table of Contents
best short recurve bow: Top Picks and Buying Advice
| Image | Name | Editor’s Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | AF 53" Fiberglass Recurve | ★★★★★ | CHECK PRICE |
 | AF 54" Tatar Horse Bow | ★★★★★ | CHECK PRICE |
 | PMZ 54" Set (30lb) | ★★★★★ | CHECK PRICE |
| PMZ 54" Set (50lb) | ★★★★★ | CHECK PRICE |
 | AliArchery 40.9" Turkish Bow (30-50lb) | ★★★★★ | CHECK PRICE |
1. AF 53" Fiberglass Recurve
This AF Archery 53″ Fiberglass Recurve Bow stands out for its optimization of classic Turkish bow design for modern use. It offers a shorter body with fast arrow speed, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and professionals seeking a high-performance traditional horse bow.
Lamination and Grip Comfort
The bow limbs are constructed using fiberglass and bamboo laminated with German technology, wrapped in microfiber leather for superior performance and durability. The ash wood tip and ergonomic handle design ensure a comfortable hold during extended shooting sessions.
Compact Dimensions for Agility
With a 53-inch bow length and a 51-inch string length, this bow is designed for agility. Its maximum draw length is 34 inches, with a standard of 28 inches, and a brace height of 6.7 inches, making it suitable for various shooting needs, including horseback archery.
Optimized for Speed and Hunting
While retaining a classic style, this bow is optimized for speed and smoothness. Its shorter body contributes to a fast arrow speed, making it ideal for hunting activities and daily archery practice, aiming to bring you an ultimate hunting experience.
2. AF 54" Tatar Horse Bow
The AF Archery 54″ Tatar Recurve Bow is built for durability and performance, featuring a blend of maple wood, bamboo, and glass fiber. Its universal design and lightweight construction make it a strong contender for those prioritizing a fast, light, and short bow for horseback shooting.
Robust Material Construction
The handle and tip are crafted from durable maple wood, while the limbs are a compressed layer of bamboo and glass fiber, ensuring both strength and longevity. The bow weighs a mere 0.77lbs, contributing to its lightweight feel.
Ambidextrous Design and Stability
This 54-inch bow is designed to fit both left- and right-handed archers, with a 48-inch bowstring and a 32-inch maximum draw length. String pads at both ends enhance stability and efficiency during the shot.
Wear-Resistant Arrow Rest
A key design detail is the hard bone chip filling at the arrow release point above the handle, which significantly increases wear resistance and extends the bow’s durability over time.
Ideal for Quick, Precise Shots
This bow is specifically adapted for horseback shooting, offering advantages of being fast, light, and short. It provides quick, light, and precise shots suitable for various shooting styles and skill levels.
3. PMZ 54" Set (30lb)
The PMZ Recurve Bow Set offers a complete traditional shooting experience with its comfortable ash wood handle and durable fiberglass limbs. This 54-inch bow is a versatile choice for both thumb draw and three-finger styles, making it suitable for various outdoor adventures.
Comfortable Grip and Leather Wrap
The ash wood bow handle is polished and rounded, wrapped in leather for a comfortable, secure grip. The fiberglass sheets used for the limbs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to excellent performance and durability.
Comprehensive Accessory Set
This set includes essential accessories like leather thumb loops, arm guards, hand guards, finger pads, and extra bow strings. This ensures you have everything needed for both three-finger and thumb shooting styles right out of the box.
Versatile Shooting Styles
Designed to accommodate both thumb draw and three-finger shooting, this bow provides a truly traditional experience. It’s well-suited for horseback archery, target practice, and general outdoor adventures.
Ease of Setup for All Ages
Installation and removal of the bowstring are straightforward, allowing shooting enthusiasts of all ages to master its use quickly. The 54-inch length and 31-inch maximum draw length are manageable for many users.
4. PMZ 54" Set (50lb)
Similar to its lower-poundage counterpart, the PMZ Recurve Bow Set (50lbs) offers a complete traditional archery package with a comfortable ash wood handle and durable fiberglass limbs. This 54-inch bow is designed for those seeking a more powerful draw for hunting or advanced target practice.
Durable Construction and Ergonomics
The bow features a polished, rounded ash wood handle wrapped in leather for a comfortable hold. Its fiberglass sheet limbs are built for durability and provide excellent shooting performance, ensuring a reliable experience.
Complete Archery Kit Included
This set comes equipped with essential accessories such as leather thumb loops, arm guards, hand guards, finger pads, and spare bow strings. It caters to both thumb draw and three-finger shooting preferences.
Traditional Shooting Versatility
The design supports both thumb draw and three-finger shooting styles, making it a versatile tool for horseback archery, target practice, and various outdoor hunting scenarios.
Higher Draw Weight for Power
With a 50lb draw weight, this bow is suited for archers who require more power for hunting applications or advanced target shooting. The 54-inch length and 31-inch maximum draw length are standard for this type of bow.
5. AliArchery 40.9" Turkish Bow (30-50lb)
The AliArchery Turkish Bow is a compact and powerful option, measuring just 40.9 inches. Its lightweight design and snappy accuracy make it a great beginner bow, particularly for horseback archery and those who appreciate a traditional feel.
Compact and Lightweight Design
With a total bow length of only 104 cm (40.9 inches), this bow is exceptionally light and maneuverable. The 39-inch string length and 6.1-inch brace height contribute to its compact profile.
Material Composition
Constructed from a blend of cow leather, fiberglass, and wood, this bow offers a balance of flexibility and durability. The draw weight range is typically between 30-50lbs, with this specific model noted at 45lbs.
Snappy and Accurate Performance
Users often describe this bow as ‘snappy’ and accurate, indicating a responsive feel upon release. The 28-inch draw length (both standard and max) is suitable for many archers looking for a consistent draw.
Ideal for Horseback Archery
Its short length and light weight make it particularly well-suited for the demands of horseback archery, where agility and a compact form factor are paramount.
6. AliArchery 40.9" Turkish Bow (30-50lb)
This AliArchery Turkish Bow, identical in dimensions to its counterpart at 40.9 inches, offers a powerful draw weight suitable for more experienced archers. It retains the ‘light, powerful, snappy, and accurate’ characteristics ideal for horseback archery.
Compact Form Factor
At just 104 cm (40.9 inches) total length, this bow is designed for maximum portability and maneuverability. The 39-inch string and 6.1-inch brace height are consistent with its short design.
Material Blend for Performance
The bow is constructed using cow leather, fiberglass, and wood, providing a balanced combination of flexibility and resilience. This build supports its reputation for being powerful yet light.
Responsive and Accurate Shooting
It’s known for being ‘snappy’ and accurate, offering a satisfying shooting experience. The standard and maximum draw length is 28 inches, with a draw weight range of 30-50lbs.
Suitability for Horseback Archery
The combination of its short length, light weight, and quick response makes it an excellent choice for the dynamic requirements of horseback archery.
7. AF 50" Turkish Recurve
The AF Archery 50″ Turkish Recurve Bow combines traditional aesthetics with modern performance enhancements. Its laminated construction and ergonomic design offer a comfortable and effective shooting experience for various archery pursuits.
Laminated Construction and Ergonomics
Made with fiberglass and bamboo laminated using German technology, this bow ensures superior performance. The handle, wrapped in cowhide, and the ash wood tips are shaped ergonomically for a comfortable grip.
Optimized for Speed and Agility
This bow features a shorter body than many traditional longbows, contributing to an extremely fast arrow speed. The fine wood grain texture on the limbs adds to its appeal while maintaining performance for horseback archery or daily practice.
Balanced Specifications
With a 50-inch bow length and 45-inch string, it offers a standard draw length of 28 inches and a maximum of 32 inches. The brace height is 6.7 inches, providing a balanced draw cycle.
Versatile for Hunting and Practice
This recurve bow is a versatile choice for honing archery skills, target practice, or even deer hunting, catering to both beginners and professionals.
8. AliArchery 43.3" Turkish Bow (35lb)
The AliArchery Turkish Bow, at 43.3 inches, is a powerful yet lightweight option designed for traditional archery, especially horseback archery. Its inclusion of OX horn string bridges adds a touch of traditional craftsmanship and functional durability.
Compact and Lightweight Build
This bow measures 110 cm (43.3 inches) in total length, making it highly portable and easy to handle. The 42-inch string length and 6.9-inch brace height are optimized for its compact design.
Durable Materials
Constructed from fiberglass, wood, and cow leather, this bow is built to withstand the rigors of traditional archery. The draw weight is specified at 35lbs, suitable for many archers.
OX Horn String Bridges
A notable feature is the inclusion of OX horn string bridges, which help prevent the bow from turning over and enhance safety and effectiveness during use.
Snappy and Accurate for Beginners
Described as ‘light, powerful, snappy, and accurate,’ this bow is considered a great beginner option. The 28-inch standard draw length and 30-inch maximum draw length provide a consistent shooting experience.
Buyer’s Guide
When choosing the best short recurve bow, several factors come into play that can significantly impact your shooting experience and success.
Bow Length and Maneuverability
Shorter bows, typically under 54 inches, offer superior maneuverability, which is critical for horseback archery or navigating dense environments. However, extremely short bows can sometimes be more challenging to draw smoothly.
Draw Weight and Archery Experience
The draw weight, measured in pounds, indicates the force needed to draw the bowstring. Beginners should start with lighter weights (20-35 lbs) to develop form, while experienced archers might prefer higher weights (40-50 lbs) for hunting or increased power.
Materials and Construction
Look for bows made from durable materials like fiberglass, bamboo, and quality wood. Laminated construction, often with German technology, tends to offer better performance and longevity. Leather wraps on handles enhance grip comfort.
Draw Length and Brace Height
The draw length is the distance you pull the string back, while brace height is the distance from the grip to the string at rest. These measurements affect the bow’s performance and your shooting comfort; ensure they align with your physical dimensions.
Ambidextrous vs. Handed Design
Many short recurve bows are designed to be ambidextrous, fitting both left- and right-handed archers. If you have a strong preference or specific needs, check if the bow is designed for your dominant hand.
Who Should Buy What
For those prioritizing agility in tight spaces or on horseback, bows around 40-50 inches like the AliArchery Turkish Bows or the AF Archery 50″ Turkish Recurve are excellent. Archers seeking a complete starter kit might prefer the PMZ Recurve Bow Sets, especially the 30lb version for beginners.
What To Avoid
Avoid bows with unclear material specifications or those that feel too heavy or cumbersome for your intended use. Also, be cautious of extremely low draw weights if you plan on hunting, as they may lack sufficient power.
How These Products Compare
The reviewed bows vary in length and construction, from the ultra-compact 40.9-inch AliArchery models to the slightly longer 53-54 inch AF and PMZ options. Materials range from pure fiberglass and bamboo laminations to blends including maple and ash wood.
Mastering the Draw Weight
When selecting a short recurve bow, pay close attention to the draw weight. For beginners, starting with a lower poundage, around 20-30 lbs, is crucial for developing proper form without strain. Experienced archers might opt for higher weights, but always ensure it matches your physical capability for accuracy and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best draw weight for a short recurve bow for a beginner?
For a beginner, a draw weight between 20-35 lbs is generally recommended for a short recurve bow. This allows you to focus on developing proper shooting form and technique without excessive strain, which is crucial for building a solid foundation in archery.
Are short recurve bows good for hunting?
Yes, short recurve bows can be very effective for hunting, especially in dense environments or for horseback archery. Their compact size allows for greater maneuverability, and with an appropriate draw weight (typically 40 lbs and above), they can deliver sufficient power for medium-sized game.
What is the difference between a Turkish bow and a standard recurve bow?
A Turkish bow is a type of traditional recurve bow characterized by its short length, often designed for horseback archery. They typically feature a more pronounced recurve shape and are built for speed and agility, differing from longer, more traditional target recurves.
Can I use a thumb draw with a short recurve bow?
Absolutely. Many traditional short recurve bows, especially those designed for horseback archery like the Turkish styles, are intended for or can accommodate a thumb draw. Sets like the PMZ often include thumb rings or loops for this purpose.
Before you decide, it may help to compare this guide with how to sight in a compound bow 3, best broadhead for recurve bow, and best recurve bow for women.
Conclusion
Choosing the best short recurve bow ultimately comes down to balancing your experience level, intended use, and personal preference for feel and handling. For ultimate portability and speed, especially for horseback archery, the compact AliArchery Turkish Bows are compelling. If you’re looking for a comfortable, versatile option for general practice and hunting, the AF Archery 53″ Fiberglass Recurve or the AF Archery 50″ Turkish Recurve are strong contenders. For those starting out who want a complete package, the PMZ Recurve Bow Sets offer great value. I encourage you to consider the draw weight and materials that best suit your journey into traditional archery.
