Home > Archery Kit > McKenzie African Lion Target

McKenzie make some cracking targets, this one is the African Lion from the Safari Series and stands 36" tall and 63" long, physically this is an impressive target.

The very first thing you notice when you get one is the difference in weight between the mid section and the other 2 section ( head and back legs), this is because the mid section features Dura Flex foam which is billed as "the most advanced foam material used in targets today for extreme durability, unmatched resiliency, and easy arrow removal".

This can only be a good thing as the mid section is where the bulk of arrows will, or at least should hit, indeed shooting at this target has proved how durable this Dura Flex is, the target reviewed here has been shot thousands of times and is still looking really good, happily the archers shooting it are not hitting the same spot each time and we anticipated that this target would prove to be value over time as it should last.

The target looks good and always gets a response from archers, I love the really big 3 D's.

There is however an issue which has come to light over the period of use, the disparity of weight between the mid section and the back section has seen the sliding joint come under a lot of stress to the point where the lighter back section of the joint is now breaking away. The mid section has the "male" part of the joint, a V section in heavy Dura Flex which slides in to the "female" V section of the back part which is a much lighter and less dense foam. Despite careful assembly and care whilst taking down this part (female V section) is now half cracked, when the rest of the joint goes it will render the target useless. I am not sure if this is a one off problem with this particular Lion as the back section is so very much lighter than the mid section or if they are all made like this - having only one of these targets means we can not tell.

Considering the price of this Lion the joint should be better.

Rating
Features & Design
Good looking target, mid section is Dura Flex a much denser foam with excellent arrow stopping properties, however the disparity in weights between sections leads to premature wear and stress on the mid joint.
Performance
Performs superbly as a target. Issues with the joint mean it is penalised here.
Value for Money
If not for the joint problems it would score higher.
Overall
We are dissapointed that we can only score the target as we have, the joint issues dominate the view of this target as without the ability to put it together it doesn't matter how good it stops arrows or how good the Dura Flex works. Were it not for this it would undoubtably score much higher.

 

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Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real archers interested in the best archery suppliers have to offer. In our search for the very best bow, arrows and equipment we have shot, used and worn pretty much everything on offer.

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Essential Details
What : McKenzie African Lion Target Price : £670

Instantly recognisable as a Lion.

Will take a lot of arrows and still looks good.

The mid section joint will break long before the target is shot out.

Thick enough to shoot both sides but despite careful handling the joint is not up to the job.

Magazine

July 2010 The Mary Rose story comes to life this month, when Steve and Andy went to visit archaeologist Alex Hildred and got our hands on 500 year old long bows (literally). We look at the battle of Vernuiel, Andy visits France on a peace mission and we talk to Sid at Border.


June 2010 Bumper edition this month, a pig in armour, Geoff towers direct from Homildon Hill and a look at the Mary Rose. There is also news of the UK Atlatl championships and all the usual regular items.


May 2010 This month sees the release of yet another Robin Hood film, to celebrate this months magazine is a Robin Hood special. We look at the man behind the legend with a couple of articles about the man and the period that gave rise to him. We also have an article on Little John, not Robin Hoods side kick but John Cately of Little John Arrow, he talks to us about his life in archery and the way he likes to make his arrows. 

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