tmike,
I have never been allowed to shoot a bow at any shop in my area.
One shop even has cables running thru each bow to prevent you from picking it up and dry firing it.
In a way I don't blame them.
I was at Galyans last month ans a guy dry fired 3 different Hoyt bows before the salesman told him it was dangerous.
Don't buy a bow at Galyans in Louisville!
The owner of one shop will let you shoot his personal bow or employee's bow, if they agree, but that's it.
Personally, I couldn't care less.
I only buy bows that, imo, have the best craftsmanship.
That means Bowman, Merlin, Barnsdale etc.
You're not likely to find a shop that stocks bows like that.
Besides, I know nothing else out there is going to draw as smooth, feel better, or shoot any better than those 3 bows.
No Martin dealers in Louisville so can't look at a Scepter 3.
From what my cousin told me, most Martin dealers don't stock the higher priced Martin bows.
I believe it's all mental anyway.
I bet 95% of archers buy a bow because they like the way it looks or because of the hype involved with it.
They believe the ads or want one because their favorite Pro uses one.
Not because they actually shot it and compared it against everything else out there.
Some guys may go to that much trouble but it's far and few between that actually do.
JMO.
Sag.