The highest item level bows a level 41–50 character can wear start with Gryphonwing Long Bow (item level 55, rare). 11 items fit the slot and band; the top 11 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Gryphonwing Long Bow | 55 | 50 | 28.3 | 2.70 | Bow | Found in Relic Coffer (Blackrock Depths) at 0.1% (+432 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Quillfire Bow | 55 | 50 | 25.7 | 2.30 | Bow | Drops from Zaricotl (Badlands) at 1.0% (+633 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Recurve Long Bow | 55 | 45 | 15.2 | 2.50 | Bow | Found in Supply Crate (Stratholme) at 2.3% (+940 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Outrider's Bow | 53 | 48 | 27.5 | 2.40 | Bow | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 5 | Outrunner's Bow | 53 | 48 | 27.5 | 2.40 | Bow | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 6 |  Siege Bow | 53 | 48 | 24.6 | 2.80 | Bow | Drops from Foulmane (Western Plaguelands) at 1.0% (+532 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Harpy Needler | 51 | 46 | 23.7 | 2.70 | Bow | Drops from Ravasaur Matriarch (Un'Goro Crater) at 0.9% (+499 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 | Sylvan ShortbowCHANGED | 49 | 44 | 22.8 | 2.00 | Bow | Sold by Cawind Trueaim (+3 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 | Needle Threader | 47 | 42 | 24.5 | 2.00 | Bow | Drops from Bloodsail Elder Magus (Stranglethorn Vale) at 3.8% (+322 more) (vanilla) |
| 10 |  Massive LongbowCHANGED | 47 | 42 | 22.0 | 2.80 | Bow | Sold by Abigail Sawyer (+4 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 | Master Hunter's BowCHANGED | 43 | 19.4 | 2.40 | Bow | Quest: Big Game Hunter (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 50 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it.
Other slots: Dagger, One-Handed Sword, One-Handed Axe, One-Handed Mace, Two-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Staff, Gun. Every slot and level.