Mathews ARC 34 Compound Bow

The Mathews ARC 34 is the long-axle half of the 2026 ARC platform, and it answers a different question than its compact sibling: how much stability can a hunting bow borrow from the target world without giving up the weight and speed a hunter needs. The answer is a 34-inch axle-to-axle aluminum bow that still weighs 4.3 pounds and chronographs 337 fps from a 350-grain arrow at 30 inches and 70 pounds, dropping to 300 fps with a 450-grain hunting shaft and 280 fps at a realistic 29-inch, 65-pound setup. The SWX-2 cam with perimeter weight, the integrated Silent Connect and Bridge-Lock side-rod mounts, and the choice between a fast standard mod and a butter-smooth SWX-Z Comfort mod are the real upgrades over the prior Lift X 33. Independent decibel readings put it among the quietest bows of the year, and what stays with me is how still it sits in the hand at the shot for a bow this long. The launch MSRP of $1,569 places it in the flagship tier, and the only real fork is the mod choice - the standard cam stacks firm into the wall, so a shooter who wants a gentle draw should order the Comfort mod from the start. An excellent bow for the taller shooter, the Western hunter, and anyone who wants target-grade stability in a bow that still hunts hard. Buyers who want nearly the same Mathews chassis for less should also look at the Mathews Lift X 33; buyers set on a carbon riser and the most forgiving brace should also look at the Hoyt REDWRX Carbon RX-4 Ultra... read full review