Kibler Fowler Arrived!

mines in the mail today.

Regarding length of pull. I have found I can adapt, but tend to prefer shorter than many. I can tell you that after mounting a barrel and shouldering this fowler I am going to like it just the way it is. It feels great and my eye is low as it should be to sight down the barrel.

I mounted the 20 gauge barrel and find it just a touch nose heavy (have not installed the lock yet). The 16 gauge is probably going to balance wonderfully…. More on that later!

Newaygo77 said:

Thanks for posting these photos. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on assembly and finishing. I’m expecting mine next week, a 16 gauge with a walnut stock.

Ordering both barrels is an interesting idea.

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The gun arrived with the rear ramrod entry pipe, butt plate and trigger guard installed. I scraped a few feather-like bits of wood clinging to the barrel channel wherever it is penetrated by a slot and where the channel goes from flat to round. About 30 seconds of work. The barrel slipped right into place. Other than the pins holding in the trigger guard and ramrod pipe my kit seemed to be missing pin material. I had a bit left over from another project that I cut to hold the barrel in.

So far this is as easy a kit to assemble as I could imagine existing. The wood and metal finishing is next.

Managed to snag a sweet little 20 guage Kibler quick ship fowler in maple. Could not help myself. I'm 5'10'' and the length of pull is just about perfect, very comfortable check weld, and nice and light. Inletting is almost perfect, just cleaned up a little fuzz and everything fit. The machining on the stock seems better than the woodsrunner. Jim Kibler never disappoints.

Looks really nice. Do the barrels have a choke or are they jugged or straight?

Ponderosaman said:

Looks really nice. Do the barrels have a choke or are they jugged or straight?

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Straight, no choke or jug as far as I know.

hanshi said:

Shortening the butt stock, of course, brings up other problems especially with fitting the butt plate.

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Yes, and it could throw the sight plane off. At least for myself, I shoot much better when I can get well down and pretty much barely seeing the top of the barrel. Many times I've considered purchasing one of the European doubles but they all had high combs. I was told that it's a European thing because they often shoot incoming driven birds.

I suppose the butt could be cut short and left "Poor Boy" style but criminal statutes should be checked first.

Bnewberry, do you recall when you ordered your kit? I am sure that i am not the only one trying to figure out how much longer my wait will be. Ordered May 18 and impatiently waiting.

I ordered on May 15. Waiting is the hardest part!

Bnewberry said:

The gun arrived with the rear ramrod entry pipe, butt plate and trigger guard installed. I scraped a few feather-like bits of wood clinging to the barrel channel wherever it is penetrated by a slot and where the channel goes from flat to round. About 30 seconds of work. The barrel slipped right into place. Other than the pins holding in the trigger guard and ramrod pipe my kit seemed to be missing pin material. I had a bit left over from another project that I cut to hold the barrel in.

So far this is as easy a kit to assemble as I could imagine existing. The wood and metal finishing is next.

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If you need anymore pin stock please PM me, I have some extra from past projects. I’ll send you some.

I’m leaning heavily towards the 16 for handling characteristics. But I shook quite a lot of roundball so am not sure…

Wielki

Smokey Plainsman said:

I’m leaning heavily towards the 16 for handling characteristics. But I shook quite a lot of roundball so am not sure…

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I am in the same boat...But I am waiting for some range reports from ya all! So how about that get busy guys need to see some shooting.

Smokey Plainsman said:

Jim, curious why the 16 gauge isn’t recommended for round ball shooting?

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16 gauge/0.662" is my favorite. Most barrel makers do a 12 and 20 gauge, so to make a 16 they bore out a 20 . . . making the 16 bore lighter than either the 12 or 20 gauge barrels.

My grandfather owned one firearm for all of his life. A single shot 16. Yes, a suppository, but stating in support of the versatility. He hunted to supplement the pantry for a large family.

Man, I saw both those barrels in the picture and thought "I sure didn't remember a double barrel!!"

Looking good!!

Doc

Bnewberry said:

The gun arrived with the rear ramrod entry pipe, butt plate and trigger guard installed. I scraped a few feather-like bits of wood clinging to the barrel channel wherever it is penetrated by a slot and where the channel goes from flat to round. About 30 seconds of work. The barrel slipped right into place. Other than the pins holding in the trigger guard and ramrod pipe my kit seemed to be missing pin material. I had a bit left over from another project that I cut to hold the barrel in.

So far this is as easy a kit to assemble as I could imagine existing. The wood and metal finishing is next.

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What kind of metal preparation will you have to do on a round barrel? Are the barrels ready for some finishing?

I’ve been in council with the elders and we have come to the conclusion that this Kibler Fowler rates a 10/10.

RiverRat said:

What kind of metal preparation will you have to do on a round barrel? Are the barrels ready for some finishing?

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I think you could brown the barrel as is. I am going to sand it a bit smoother and leave it in the white

Very nice setup getting both barrels. I believe that the sixteen would be an excellent woodcock gun.