Advice on first kit

[Steve in Ohio]

Been lurking in the forum and I am looking for some advice. Have a strong interest in building a flintlock from a kit. Budget is around $750. While it would be my first ML kit, I do have experience putting together AR-15's, doing trigger jobs on my revolvers, woodworking experience etc. I like to (humbly) think that I know my way around a work bench for the most part.

While the Kibler kits look awesome, its out of my price range. Been looking at Lyman or Pedersoli kits. I have also seen the Investarm packages, but I am wondering how is the quality with those? As far as caliber goes, I am thinking .50 or .54.

Any advice regarding brand and caliber? Also, is there a particular style I should stay away from? The Kentucky or Pennsylvania type interests me, but on the other hand the Hawken or Great Plains look like they would be handy. I am not a hunter, so would be using it for casual muzzle loading matches at my club. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

-Steve

 

[Dave Marsh]

I'd save my money for a bit longer and get a Kibler kit. Good quality locks and barrels. Just my opinion. Good luck.

 

[Winchester97]

+1 on the kibler, beg borrow or steal what you need for the difference. That was the first kit I did, and it was amazing how well fitted everything was. The lock is in a completely different class from any production kit, that would be the #1 frustration with a lesser flinter. It only cost's a bit more to go first class.

 

[hanshi]

If you don't want to wait until a Kibler comes on the market you might consider a kit from TVM. They have two types of kits, a "builder's" kit and another kit with much of the stock work done. You can even substitute lock, barrel, wood grade for a customized gun. I know the Builder's kit is within your budget and "maybe" the hobby kit as well.

 

[Col. Batguano]

No offense intended, but AR-15's are more or less "assembly work" unless you got one of those 80% lowers. And even then, once you have the jigs it's pretty much cut and paste to get them done. Doing trigger jobs is fine tuning what's already there. Building a LR from a parts set (like from TotW) is big on parts modification, but requires a lot of woodworking skills, and of the hand tool variety. There is almost no place in LR gun making for power tools, with the exception of electric drills / drill presses. You COULD use a milling machine for your barrel lugs and sights, but most folks just do them by hand. It's not all that hard and only takes about an hour for each of them.

There are plenty of links in here for people to refer to regarding what tools they'll need and work shop set up tips for you to refer to. Do an advanced search and you'll find a bunch of threads. But you have the MOST important component right now; a DESIRE to do it.

The next most important thing is the time, and a domestic situation that will let you. Time to build varies depending on what type of kit or parts set you acquire. But don't underestimate the amount of money you might have to spend on tools and getting your work space in to a condition that will let you work on it efficiently. I bet I put about $1000 in to that between all the tools and modifications. You can certainly spend less, and you can spend more too.

 

[William Lincoln]

No Comment of kit quality, but I have an Investarms Hawken style carbine 50 Cal
that is beautiful in fit , finish and function. Excellent shooter.

 

[Steve in Ohio]

Thanks for all the comments. Col. Batguano - no offense taken. I have no doubts the project will be involved and will test my skills. I plan to take it slow, read up on what is out there, and just enjoy the process. I sit a computer all day for work, so anything that gets me away from the screen is good.

Haven't decided on a kit yet, so definitely still looking for opinions and advice!

-Steve

 

[Col. Batguano]

Doing your research can actually be more fun than the building part. Just be mindful of who is doing any reviews or comments, and ask yourself if they might have an agenda in doing so.

Be careful of pictures too, because camera angles can often distort things. Don't get me wrong, absent an original "in hand" they're the best thing to go on, but they are only 2-D, and you're building something that is 3-D.

 

[BruceS]

+1 on the Kibler kit. You can not find a better gun, only one more expensive and ornate. I have a .40 SMR and a .54 Colonial and I am extremely pleased with both. Well worth the wait.

 

[JeffG]

This book really gave me insight on my first kit build. Well worth the $$ and time to read it.

 

[Col. Batguano]

That's an ok book but it doesn't cover the nuts and bolts of building the way "The Gunsmith of Grenville County" or "Recreating the American Long Rifle" do. There is some misinformation in there too. Shippers' book on "Engraving Historical Firearms" contains fewer basic nuts and bolts building tips, but is very good for carving and engraving, particularly in the design area.

 

[oldhunter1954]

FYI, I have no prior experience at all. I purchased the Kibler Colonial in 54 caliber. So far so good. His videos are top notch! Going slow and easy. His inletting of the stock is perfect. I used a 1/8 chisel to do minor cleaning of corners, etc. Using files to fit the stock to the metal parts, etc.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

NW trade gun.........................................

 

[Lbrown]

I was very pleased with my Pedersoli Hawken .50 kit. The inletting was done very well. Building the kit was mainly minor wood shaping/finishing and polishing the brass. It's a great shooter and within your price range. Whatever you choose, best of luck.

 

[Sidney Smith]

That's an ok book but it doesn't cover the nuts and bolts of building the way "The Gunsmith of Grenville County" or "Recreating the American Long Rifle" do. There is some misinformation in there too. Shippers' book on "Engraving Historical Firearms" contains fewer basic nuts and bolts building tips, but is very good for carving and engraving, particularly in the design area.

Ive used Dixons book when I need insigjt on a particular area of tje build process and its been very helpful. Where is the misinformation you speak of?

 

[Robby]

If you are confident in your abilities, then you would be selling yourself short with those products mentioned, there are many company's offering good, historically accurate kit's with high quality components. They may require a bit bore work than a but then, that is where the satisfaction comes from when you are finished. Work is its own reward, hard work is a blessing.
Robby

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Been lurking in the forum and I am looking for some advice. Have a strong interest in building a flintlock from a kit. Budget is around $750. While it would be my first ML kit, I do have experience putting together AR-15's, doing trigger jobs on my revolvers, woodworking experience etc. I like to (humbly) think that I know my way around a work bench for the most part.

While the Kibler kits look awesome, its out of my price range. Been looking at Lyman or Pedersoli kits. I have also seen the Investarm packages, but I am wondering how is the quality with those? As far as caliber goes, I am thinking .50 or .54.

Any advice regarding brand and caliber? Also, is there a particular style I should stay away from? The Kentucky or Pennsylvania type interests me, but on the other hand the Hawken or Great Plains look like they would be handy. I am not a hunter, so would be using it for casual muzzle loading matches at my club. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

-Steve

I built a Pedersoli Brown Bess Carbine from a kit many years ago and it was a great experience. Very well made parts and equipment. I don't know how much their kits go for these days, but It was easy to put together.

My personal preference (because I really really want one) would be to get a Kibler Kit. Once you are done, you will have a very fine firearm...very high quality and beautiful to boot.

 

[griffiga]

I built a Pedersoli Brown Bess Carbine from a kit many years ago and it was a great experience. Very well made parts and equipment. I don't know how much their kits go for these days, but It was easy to put together.

My personal preference (because I really really want one) would be to get a Kibler Kit. Once you are done, you will have a very fine firearm...very high quality and beautiful to boot.

How are the TVM kits?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

How are the TVM kits?

All of my TVMs are completed by them...I will say that I have never been disappointed in their products.

I'm on my 4th gun from TVM right now, I just ordered a .40 calibre Natchez Poor Boy with a top end curly maple stock. Once that gun arrives I'll start working on ordering a Kibler Kit and try my hand at finishing a kit gun again. I haven't done that in many years...

 

[griffiga]

All of my TVMs are completed by them...I will say that I have never been disappointed in their products.

I'm on my 4th gun from TVM right now, I just ordered a .40 calibre Natchez Poor Boy with a top end curly maple stock. Once that gun arrives I'll start working on ordering a Kibler Kit and try my hand at finishing a kit gun again. I haven't done that in many years...

I was looking at the poor boy, you can get it standard, already made for $1000. Would you recommend adding a swamped barrel? Is there that much difference?