Honest opinions on Kibler rifles

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.

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I’m the proud owner of a colonial and I absolutely love the round faced lock. Quick and sparky.

103 yards in a light rain/heavy mist this morning. I’ve been around flintlocks my whole life and have yet to see a faster lock

A question did arise at today's shoot. 3-4 of the guys have Woodsrunners, and they seem to eat flints pretty fast, like 30 shots. Anyone else experiencing that? The one I had, was fine on the flints. I looked over how they had the flints mounted, they looked okay, the only thing I could see is the flint that are suppled seemed undersized. They are going to try some larger flints, and report back to the club.

I'm not a Kibler customer, but I am a fan. I shoot at 2 different woods walk courses every month. There are 15-20 shooters on the average day, with a wide variety of rifles and smoothbores, most are flint locks with the occasional cap. Of the flints, there are a couple piedersoli, a traditions, my TC, multiple custom guns ( a majority) , and multiple Kiblers. I've held, studied and shot many of these rifles, and been grouped up with most of them on a 30 shot course. The most consistent are by far the well executed custom guns, and the ones from Jim Kibler. There are also several custom guns that are a constant struggle for their owner.

The light weight and gracefulness of his .40 SMR with the huge sight radius that long barrel gives was one of the most comfortable and easy to shoot rifles I've ever used.

If you want a well functioning gun at a very reasonably price you would be hard pressed to do better.

I'm not a customer because I wanted to build a rifle the hard way. I'm stubborn and silly like that. I will be looking to get a smoothbore and .40 squirrel gun after I finish my build and will probably look to Kibler for both.

waksupi said:

A question did arise at today's shoot. 3-4 of the guys have Woodsrunners, and they seem to eat flints pretty fast, like 30 shots. Anyone else experiencing that? The one I had, was fine on the flints. I looked over how they had the flints mounted, they looked okay, the only thing I could see is the flint that are suppled seemed undersized. They are going to try some larger flints, and report back to the club.

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Kibler's mainsprings are very strong and strike the frizzen with authority, this helps speed and reliability but can be hard on flints.

My 2 cents.

French Colonial said:

Kibler's mainsprings are very strong and strike the frizzen with authority, this helps speed and reliability but can be hard on flints.

My 2 cents.

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I suppose everything is relevant, but the Kibler locks significantly outperform several other flintlocks I shoot with regard to flint longevity (and speed). I shot a new SMR lock for just under 50 shots without knapping and my Colonial shows similar performance. My other locks cannot match this. Personally, I've been impressed.

I am 72 going on 73 and I still enjoy the Kibler rifles…. Had fun putting them together… Haven’t had a chance to shoot one of them yet due to arthritis in my right shoulder… But give me time and I’ll get out to the range with them this next spring…. Keep up the good work Jim ….

Wirehair said:

I suppose everything is relevant, but the Kibler locks significantly outperform several other flintlocks I shoot with regard to flint longevity (and speed). I shot a new SMR lock for just under 50 shots without knapping and my Colonial shows similar performance. My other locks cannot match this. Personally, I've been impressed.

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Yes, what I should have wrote was "some" of his mainsprings are very strong.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but good things to say about his guns and locks.

French Colonial said:

Yes, what I should have wrote was "some" of his mainsprings are very strong.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but good things to say about his guns and locks.

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I understand. I can only speak to my experience, which is limited compared to many on this forum. Maybe I just got lucky, but if so, I got lucky 3 times!

I’ve used 6 of Kibler’s round faced locks and 2 smr locks. All have been super fast and sparked well. All came apart and re assembled well. All are highest quality fit and function. Can’t ask for better than that. Sure beats my experience with other commercial locks.

My honest opinion about a Kibler rifle!
ONE HE!! OF A GUN!

Top quality, fun and easy to assemble, rewarding, and more.

I own a
Colonial .58 Smoothbore
SMR .32 caliber
Woodsrunner .54 caliber.
I would recommend one to anybody looking to buy a kits or a full assembled rifle.
Don't second guess their locks. Plus Jim stands behind his products. If you're wanting one get it. Take your time assembling your gun. It's a Blast.

Here's my Woodsrunner, I shot it today for the first time. I know this is not a Quigley Down Under shot. This is my 1st 11 shots. Eyeballed front and rear sights and this is the results. 27 yards, next weekend 50 yards. Do to my hunt areas 50 yards is just about max.

My first Kibler was the SMR .45 I put it together 14 moths ago. And now I'm working on a .36 SMR. My 6th Kbler. With one Colonial and three woodsrunners in between. I shoot the SMR more than the others. It's light weight and fast lock make it a pleasure to shoot.
Yes fitting the butt plate is time consuming. The other rifles they were easier to get a good fit. On the SMR I'm working on I found that it helped to file a little bit. Just medially to the edge of the butt plate on bolth left and right. So there wasn't any high spots on the casting. Allowing the outer edges to sit more evenly on the wood. I previously only took the file flat across bolth sides. And was fighting the process of getting a flush fit on the wood.
Something I noticed on the new SMR Is that the barrel bolster came with a better fit. I hardly had to square up the bottom of the inlet. So that was a welcome improvement. They keep improving the machining that goes into carving out the stocks.

I love my Kibler SMR. She’s a dream to handle and shoot. Customer service is tops.

My only gripe is why is there not a blunderbuss yet?

Percussion?

COTNTOP said:

Percussion?

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flintlock for me please.