Product Review of Jennings CK3.4R by Mark Burrows

The Bow

The CK3.4-R is not a new bow and has now been available for a couple of years. Should this affect your purchase decision? Not in the least. Jennings got it right the first time. The following will show that you will not be disadvantaged at all by comparing the CK3.4-R to any of the current model bows. Whether you are interested in target or hunting, this bow has the lot and is currently offered by Abbey Archery at an extremely attractive price.

The 3.4-R is finished in Mossy Oak Break-Up, the cable guard, limb pockets, cam and idler wheel are a matte finish titanium grey. The bow is 34 inches axle to axle with a 7.75 inch brace height, 73% let off and is rated at 305 fps IBO. The riser is machined from 6061 T-6 aluminium and neatly crafted to keep the bow to its 4.4 pounds, with a 7 inch sight window. The pre-bent carbon/glass matrix limbs have what Jennings call, FNT - Force Neutralizing Technology this gives the bow the ability to shoot like a true parallel limb design bow without the need for the extra long riser. The carbon composite limbs are lighter, stronger, more durable and have a faster return time than solid glass limbs. The limb pockets are aluminium and lined with a gel style rubber insert to minimise noise and vibration. The grip is narrow, which helps in the reduction of bow torque and is machined as part of the riser with a timber side plate on either side. The cable guard is a two part swing arm mechanism which swings down and inward slightly to reduce cable guard induced torque. I found this design excellent for attaching the cable from my drop-away rest. The riser is also pre-drilled half way up the sight window for those who prefer the standard form of cable guard.

The CK3.4-R is fitted with Jennings new jRev single cam. The jRev has a more rounded overall geometry than earlier solo cams, with a perimeter weight in the lobe of the cam. Jennings promotes this cam as being dynamically balanced, creating a vibration free shot. This design also approximates the overall size and shape of the idler wheel which, according to Jennings, helps to balance both ends of the bow and improve nock travel. All this means the CK3.4-R can maintain the traditional style bow look, but shoot like a parallel limb design bow.

The Testing.

I set the bow up with a NAP QuikTune DropAway ArrowRest, Toxonics sights and a Bear Dissipator stabiliser. Draw length was 29 inches with a .6 inch D-Loop. All testing was done at 68 pounds with a Carter release.

At the first shot, I was impressed. The bow is very quiet with virtually no noticeable recoil or hand shock. It draws smoothly through its whole draw cycle and comes back to a good solid wall. I like this style of draw, especially for hunting, as there are no lumps, bumps or drop-offs which can cause the arrow to bounce during those occasions that you may have to make a speedy draw.

The CK3.4-R is an excellent bow to shoot. It handles well with or without a bow quiver and becomes almost noiseless with the addition of limb savers and string silencers. It would make a fantastic hunting or target bow.

Jennings push the shot feel of this bow with its FNT limbs and jRev balanced cam as their main selling point and I think they are entitled to. Even though the 3.4R is not a true parallel limb design bow, it very much shot that way. I really liked shooting this bow. Two sets of arrows were chronographed. Easton LightSpeed 400s, set up with 1.5 inch Blazer vanes and 90 grain points came in at 290 fps average and Easton Axis 340 shafts set up with 2 inch Blazer vanes and 125 grain points came in at 262 fps average. These are by no means sonic boom speeds, but considering the Jennings above average brace height of 7.75 inches, I would suggest they are quite respectable and well and truly ample for both target and hunting.

There is always some compromise when it comes to speed. You generally can't have a hard cam, low brace height bow that is easy to shoot. By the same token, you don't want a rainbow looper either. I think Jennings have got it dead right with the CK3.4-R. It is a respectably fast bow that is very easy to shoot.

View the Jennings CK 3.4R at Jennings CK 3.4R

Or the Jennings CK 3.4R Ready to Shoot Bow Package at CK 3.4R Ready to Shoot Bow Package

Mark Burrows hails from country Victoria and has a list of target and bowhunting achievements that would make most archers pale. He has achieved Master Bowhunter at branch level 10 times; has numerous Best of Species awards; at a national level, he has achieved either Bowhunter or Trophy Bowhunter every year for the last 10 years; a Best of Species each year for the last 5 years; holds the current Australian record for Sambar deer bringing to 5 different Species in the Australian Bowhunters Association's (ABA's) top 10 list, being Sambar, Hog deer, Chital deer, Boar and Shark; he has been the Australian Champion Bowhunter for the last 2 years; he was the first ABA member to claim the then 14 claimable species of game and when this was extended to 19 species, Mark was the first to have all 19 claimable species of game; 1st at the 2007 National Safari in Bowhunter Unlimited and also won the 2007 Australian Champion Bowhunter which is understood to be the first time that both these titles have been won by the same person and in the same year. Mark has numerous awards (possibly in excess of 250 trophies) to his name and is active at branch and national level in his sport in ABA, IFAA and 3D. He has ventured onto the world stage with a 1st in his class at the 2002 World IFAA titles in Scotland. His eye for detail is a rare gift. His achievements go on and he does give gladly of his time with articles he writes, contributions to the ABA board and his work at branch level and amongst all these archery activities, he runs a busy commercial venture in his home town. We trust you will enjoy the article.