Gemmer Hawken vs. Lyman GPR

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BuffaloBPHunter

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Someone who has handled or shot both: how does the Investarms Gemmer Hawken compare to the Lyman GPR in terms of fit and finish and QC? I understand Lymans are Investarms rifles imported by Lyman, but I have heard that QC has both improved and gotten worse since Lyman stopped importing them. Any opinions here?
 
I have one of each unfortunately my Lyman was a factory build and my Gemmer is a kit build that someone else put together. It would be unfair to draw a conclusion to your question from them.
 
leadhoarder said:
I have one of each unfortunately my Lyman was a factory build and my Gemmer is a kit build that someone else put together. It would be unfair to draw a conclusion to your question from them.
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I would love to hear your opinion between the two, even though one was factory built and one was a kit. Are there any stark differences in ant areas between the two makes?
 
Can't say anything about Lyman... The Investarm Gemmer Hawken kit I have has quite a few quality control issues. Its like no one looked at it before chucking it in the box. Pins drill crooked in the end cap and almost not in the wood on one side, all screw holes were off and will have to be doweled, barrel dovetail had horrible milling job just to name a few things.. Maybe a factory assembled model would have been higher quality..
 
I also would love to hear from folks. I’ve been eyeing a Gemmer Hawken Lefty flinter for awhile. After a completely failed kit purchase a year ago, the thing was unacceptable and I threw it away after (I will not name companies) refused a return. But for $800 is it really worth it??
 
I have no experience with the Gemmer, but I’ll say this about the GPR. I bought one new right before they went away. It’s a production rifle so I didn’t expect “custom gun” fit and finish, but I couldn’t complain about what I got for the price. Short of the wood being a little proud at some points and a muddy looking finish to the stock I have nothing bad to say about it and it’s a fine shooter. If you can find one in good shape at a decent price you better snatch it up.
 
I have multiple lymans but no Investarms. All of my Lymans are acceptable in quality and accuracy. There are not a high end product but do what they are intended to do very well. For the prices i paid for them they are well worth it IMO. My GPH (1:32) shoots accurately and I have had no issues in 20 years.
 
BuffaloBPHunter said:
Someone who has handled or shot both: how does the Investarms Gemmer Hawken compare to the Lyman GPR in terms of fit and finish and QC? I understand Lymans are Investarms rifles imported by Lyman, but I have heard that QC has both improved and gotten worse since Lyman stopped importing them. Any opinions here?
Click to expand...
I have both...but...the Great Plains has the Gemmer factory stock and the gemmer has a GPR kit stock...I shoot them both...no difference. A2169667-0850-4C91-81CC-92528F9A0616_1_201_a.jpeg. The Gemmer factory kit stock has been 10 miles of bad road...but I can save it...I promise. Now...the GPR kit was as much of a disaster as the Gemmer...they both came out ok. The wedges fall out of the lyman...they stay in the gemmer.
 
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I would say there is very little difference between the two. I haven't done a Gemmer kit but the GPR is a tough build I think I had to remove 10 pounds of wood to make it look right...;)
 
bajabuc said:
I have both...but...the Great Plains has the Gemmer factory stock and the gemmer has a GPR kit stock...I shoot them both...no difference.View attachment 369668. The Gemmer factory kit stock has been 10 miles of bad road...but I can save it...I promise. Now...the GPR kit was as much of a disaster as the Gemmer...they both came out ok. The wedges fall out of the lyman...they stay in the gemmer.
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I should read my posts before I post 'em...I have shot both...just not this Gemmer...It's been a lesson to me. This is my second Investarms flinter and the third or fourth percussion...I builds 'em...somebody makes me an offer I can't refuse.
 
Highly unlikely. Investarm is always a hit or miss. When they made the gpr for Lyman, we were seeing cracked stocks, burrs in the breech plug, 1/8" wood hanging over the metal. They are a budget gun, you can't expect top notch perfection.
 
The vintage Lyman is about as good as you can do, short of commissioning a custom.


The good ol' Lymans don't have a notch in the under rib, and the barrel stamps are traditional, as opposed to the dot stamps.

although, I bought a 54 flinter out of the bargain bin at cabelas in 97, and it has a notch in the under rib with a ram rod spring.


That thing will shoot lights out.
 
I have not had an Investarms marked rifle but I have numerous older Lymans.I consider them a step down from T/C but extremely reliable and acceptable cosmetically. I have relocated several Lymans, especially a 54 left hand flinter and my butt has been sore from me kicking myself. Nuff said?
 

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