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Forgive my ignorance, what does a trade gun's characteristics differ from other early colonial rifles? I know the SMR is more of a small caliber later period weapon, but I'm not seeing what a Trade gun would change up his catalogue compared to the colonial.

There have been rumors of a Kibler Trade or Fowler in the works. Perhaps its just wishful thinking though.

Everyone needs to keep in mind every rifle is different, with different loads, and more importantly everyone here is shooting from different climate and humidity, so your milage may vary on a lot of recommendations.

Well Jim Kibler is coming out with a new design, some rumors of a Fowler. If he ever came out with a Hawken I would jump on it. Maybe in a few years :)

Honestly I'm sure he has enough material on this forum to make an illustrated guide to long rifle building. Dave keep up the excellent work! Every change has me inspired and wondering if I should try and build a kit in the future when I get a workspace setup.

This is why I asked him if he would be interested in doing this rifle. I spoke with a few builders on the phone before Dave, but he was the person that I could truly hear the passion he has for the craft. It was a no brainer in the first 2 minutes of the conversation.

Watch this, you might want to refund your order if it isn't too late.

I'd recommend an outdoor shot if you can afford the time.

Crazy this thing hasn't sold, there is a waiting list to buy them new and here you have an already built non fired brand new. Might have jumped on it if I hadn't already ordered mine.

While rifles were used in battle, it was only in skirmisher type roles, from trees or cover, or hit and run type things. Because the reload time was so long, and the lack of ability to fix a bayonet. In the revolutionary war, the militia made up of the common man would use rifles because its...

Eh, I have long hair and never felt once that It was in danger of ignition. The flash is far enough away that it isn't an issue. I would be more concerned with my eyes.

Yeah the rifle jumped a bit with that shot, not sure if insecure placement on the bench or a flinch, but it pulled to the right a bit. Otherwise looks amazing and I'm jealous! Hopefully get my rifle in the next few months.

Yep, anyone who shows overt interest and ask questions has to fire the gun in my opinion. Doesn't matter who they are as long as they are interested I feel their day will be significantly better by firing the floof tube and I'll insist despite their politeness. They always react with a huge...

I've found this to happen as well. I show up with a huge bag of ammo thinking I'll get through it so quickly. Next thing I know I'm getting called by my fiancee asking how much longer I'll be, and I'll have been there for hours, and I feel like I've only fired 10-15 shots.

Why not talk to Jim about getting a larger caliber barrel. It might be a special order but that way he could fit the barrel to the kit and not have to worry about damaging existing barrel. There are plenty of websites that sell barrels stand alone.

That makes sense due to time constraints. Personally I don't have a flintlock rifle yet, just a smoothbore. So I don't know anything about zeroing as I have no sights lol. Don't let the guys on here scare you too much! Hope you can get one when things slow down.

I wouldn't say its too much more time to be honest. Knapping flint takes about 30-40 seconds every 30-60 shots. Maybe a 6 minutes to clean the lock after firing.

Hahaha no wonder. A range officer handed me a metal file and I was just going hard at a flint trying to file away an uneven part of it. I was rubbing it on concrete in frustration and all manner of things. I thought that flint was the hardest thing I'd ever seen in my life.

Might matter what type of wood you guys ordered with it. I ordered April 20th a colonial .54 in Fancy maple. Wondering if I'll be waiting 6 months now and not the 2-6 weeks it says on the site. 🤔

I tried a course metal file on one flint, and it didn't work very well. I wouldn't recommend unless you have a loooot of patience.