Honest opinions on Kibler rifles

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David LaPell

David LaPell

32 Cal
Joined
May 27, 2024
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Location
Adirondack Mountains of New York
I've been thinking about getting a Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle. I've talked to a few people that have owned a Kibler rifles and some have said they've had issues with their locks over time. I know that not everything is going to be perfect all but I want to hear honest assessments of their guns by those who have them.
 
I only give my honest opinion. I assembled two kibler kits, a ridge runner and a Fowler. The kits go together easily. I honestly have never heard of any lock problems. His locks are CNC machined and function perfectly for me. I have other custom made long rifles with Davis and Chamber’s locks and they all are Excellent premium locks. You will not find a better made lock than what comes in a kibler kit!
 
The only reason you would have problems with Kibler locks, is if you don't clean up the inletting so the parts can function correctly. Or if you fail to lubricate them. Locks need oil, I've been surprised to find some don't realize. Over tightening lock bolts or internal screws could also cause problems. The only problem with the locks is user error.
 
what RiverRat says.
I have always been a plank/parts builder and just wanted to see what the Kibler was all about so I bought a Kibler Colonial kit. It felt like cheating it went together so smoothly.
I also have been fortunate in getting my hands on several Kibler locks alone. they are by far my favorite of all current commercial locks. if someone had problems with one of those locks i would love to here the unvarnished story of those problems.
A Kibler fan, just not a Kibler customer. i play my own drum.
I am biased as far as the SMR goes. My personal favorite is a SMR.
 
Before you get the Southern Mountain, see if you can find somebody that has one so you can try it for fit. By that, I mean that the Southern Mountain variety of guns is not held in exactly the same way that you might hold a different style of gun.. There is a video on YouTube by Bob McBride under the heading of BLACK POWDER TV wherein he talks about how you hold a SM.

The Doc is out now. :cool:
 
waksupi said:
The only reason you would have problems with Kibler locks, is if you don't clean up the inletting so the parts can function correctly. Or if you fail to lubricate them. Locks need oil, I've been surprised to find some don't realize. Over tightening lock bolts or internal screws could also cause problems. The only problem with the locks is user error.
Click to expand...
aka as farmer torque!
 
DrLaw said:
.....see if you can find somebody that has one so you can try it for fit. By that, I mean that the Southern Mountain variety of guns is not held in exactly the same way that you might hold a different style of gun..
Click to expand...
Not a worry. Not a decision-matrix criterion. Fits anybody if you know how to hold it properly. And light enough and well-balanced enough to be easily done.
 
The first Kibler I built was a 58 Colonial before Jim started to make his own locks. I just bought a 54 Woodsrunner and can attest to the fact that the newer lock is every bit as good as the original, which is lightyears ahead of ANYTHING made in Italy or Spain!
 
New guy here with my first response. Bought and assembled a Kibler Fowler to take out Fowling. After many percussion rifles and shotguns, it is my first flintlock. 3 trips out and it has performed above expectations. 26 shots and fired perfect. Been patterning it some while out in the swamps. Found me a consistent load of 2 shot bismuth good to 35/40 yards. Will work on the PRB this summer. Now it's on me figuring out the lead on speedy teal and canvasbacks. But what a great gun.
 
I don't know where comments of problems comes from, but I largely think it's BS. I have my ideas where it has originated from as well. All it takes is someone who is know for running their yack constantly to start rumors that perpetuate. Maybe some of you can guess...

As an example... When we first started making locks years ago, some of the very first mainsprings were not hard enough. With this the case, they weakened over some time. There weren't many like this, and we offered to replace them, but I still occasionally hear about this. Something to the effect of our springs turning soft or some BS. Usually it's some custom builder who has ties to some of the old entrenched lock makers.

I would put our locks up against any made today and feel confident they are higher quality now and will be as the gun ages.
 
Seems like I heard of some problem with ONE Kibler lock, Kibler customer service is the best of any of the companies that sell M/L kits or parts so there is nothing to worry about. If a rare issue should crop up, Mr. Jim will take care of it in short order.

I put together an early SMR, compared to my scratch and parts kits builds it WAS like cheating, but in a nice way.
 
James Kibler said:
I don't know where comments of problems comes from, but I largely think it's BS. I have my ideas where it has originated from as well. All it takes is someone who is know for running their yack constantly to start rumors that perpetuate. Maybe some of you can guess...

As an example... When we first started making locks years ago, some of the very first mainsprings were not hard enough. With this the case, they weakened over some time. There weren't many like this, and we offered to replace them, but I still occasionally hear about this. Something to the effect of our springs turning soft or some BS. Usually it's some custom builder who has ties to some of the old entrenched lock makers.

I would put our locks up against any made today and feel confident they are higher quality now and will be as the gun ages.
Click to expand...
Mic drop…. by Mr. Kibler.

I started out with an Italian flintlock and it functioned just fine and was an easy starting point for me. I knew it would not be perfect, but wanted to see if I liked shooting these “ old guns”. Once the bug bit me, I acquired a couple Kiblers from people on this forum, and they are absolutely reliable. I now have a couple kits waiting to be built…. Kind of like Poke man, gotta get um all.😁
 
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