Yes, the "Magic Staff" list is basically only allowed for staffs i.e. a quarterstaff as weapon. The "Mystic Bow" list is meant as a variant of this list customized for an archer-type profession.
Although much of the old RoCo's is too powerful for my game, Magic Staff has worked well for us. In the old version, it does state that other weapons are possible. Using this with a long bow, it is powerful but prohibitive at the same time. Most "effects" require arrows and others don't translate to a long bow at all. So the player spent DP for a few empty slots; just like other spell lists. Also, as the bonus to OB is on the 'bow', in my game, the magic is not on the arrow. So if a magic weapon is required to hit a creature, the normal arrow doesn't qualify,
even though it may have a magic bonus to OB or x2 hits.
It's worth noting that the player always has his hands occupied with the 'staff', or his spells suffer. The Mage in our group finds that he can rarely put his 'staff' down to even dig through his pack, because of the -20 to cast, just in case something jumps him unawares..
But the player loves it for it's ability to store spells and be always at hand with the Recall ability.
The Mystic Archer List has come along at the right time.