After the Kibler Kits

[Togo]

Keep in mind there is significantly more than just ease of assembly and completeness when comparing our kits to many others. Our design, style, aesthetics, historical correctness etc. are a significantly better than any other offerings in my opinion. I know many don't understand this point since they either don't have an appreciation for those things or haven't taken the time to study and learn the attributes of well built longrifles. Let me just say that you are getting all the quality of that would go into a 5 figure custom longrifle. This isn't true with other products available.































Jim

 

[Togo]

I totally agree Jim after receiving my SMR, that's why I'm all in on your rifles. I cant wait to my 54 Woodsrunner order.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I teach a Kibler kit building class a couple times a year at the education building at Friendship. Most guys are quite happy to build their kit and never build another gun. A very few take my "build it from a plank" class after they do a Kibler. Some will be in way over their head in the plank class. I also teach a carving class which some guys are using Kibler kits to do their carving on.
Kibler kits are a great way to get an excellent rifle for a very reasonable investment. Probably sparks some interest in muzzleloading in general.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I went a different direction, I wanted to learn gun building so I started out with two plank builds with barrel inletted and ramrod hole done by Fred Miller I followed these with a pre-carve (less the lock inlet) and then a Kibler SMR I picked up for $800 from a guy who didn't think he could finish it. The Kibler was a joy to work on but there wasn't enough building involved for me. The Kiblers fill an important niche for the average guys who want a fine rifle but are little short on tools, experience and time to jump into a more involved kit or plank build.

I teach bow building as well; it is a rare guy who finishes a bow and then makes another, actually it is a rare guy who actually finishes a bow. I only have had one student that actually became a serious bow maker. John C Public types just aren't crafty guys.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

I built a Kibler SMR a couple years ago. Caught the bug, and with a BIG help and encouragement from your vid’s, Bill, jumped in and built a .36 Southern gun from a plank. Made a few mistakes along the way, but I plowed through and finished it last summer and have been shooting it since. Added 1/4” castoff and a little more length of pull to fit me and I find it much more comfortable to shoot than the Kibler. Not that’s there’s anything wrong with the Kibler, it just doesn’t fit me well. Seriously considering selling the Kibler since Ive only shot it once since finishing this one.
Have started another Southern, based on a Luster rifle in .38, and have all the components for two more after.
The wife says thanks, Bill.View attachment 192380View attachment 192381

Factory made kits and rifles all have the same problem, they are made to fit what someone decided was the average size shooter. Unfortunately most of us are not average size. Back in the 70's when I started shooting my first rifle was one of the better kits being offered then. It was vey accurate off the bench but I could never get good with it because it just didn't fit me. My next rifle was made from parts to fit ME and that is when I started wining matches.

 

[RobertE]

Factory made kits and rifles all have the same problem, they are made to fit what someone decided was the average size shooter. Unfortunately most of us are not average size. Back in the 70's when I started shooting my first rifle was one of the better kits being offered then. It was vey accurate off the bench but I could never get good with it because it just didn't fit me. My next rifle was made from parts to fit ME and that is when I started wining matches.

Yeah if your an average 5’10”-185 lbs. it’s one thing.
Im 6’3”-230 with wide shoulders and long arms. For me also, the Kibler was great off the bench but I have trouble getting comfortable with it offhand.
And please dont take this as a criticism of it, it’s an exceptionally beautiful, well engineered, relatively easy to assemble, rifle.
Im looking forward to Jim offering a Hawken. I have no desire to build one from a plank, but I’ll be one of the first in line when he offers a kit.

 

[TDM]

I’d love to see Jim build a Hawken or a Trade Gun kit. Not sure which one I’d like more. And I too have zero interest in building one from a plank of wood. I think it’s great that some enjoy that and I appreciate the craftsmanship required but it’s not for me.

 

[Spikebuck]

I don’t know how Jim puts out such high quality at his price point. The ability he now has to manufacture a lot of his parts evidently pays off for him.

Jim has been implementing a business model that most of American Mfg has long ago abandoned: Vertically integrated manufacturing. When you own and control the vast majority of the materials streams and manufacturing processes you can far better control costs and quality long term. You cut out all the middle men that add to cost, logistics, sourcing and quality issues etc.

Last I read he's moving to doing even the logging and sawmill operations down to trucking the logs.

 

[Bnewberry]

I’d love to see Jim build a Hawken or a Trade Gun kit. Not sure which one I’d like more. And I too have zero interest in building one from a plank of wood. I think it’s great that some enjoy that and I appreciate the craftsmanship required but it’s not for me.

I am hoping for a fowler/trade gun first. No doubt either will be popular.

 

[user 34300]

I would love to see Jim KIbler produce a SMR plank stock with only the barrel inletted and ramrod grove-hole done. The possibilities would be near infinite to make whatever style of late golden age rifle you might want. Being square the layout is much easier. He can not keep up with orders now so I'll continue to dream.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I would love to see Jim KIbler produce a SMR plank stock with only the barrel inletted and ramrod grove-hole done. The possibilities would be near infinite to make whatever style of late golden age rifle you might want. Being square the layout is much easier. He can not keep up with orders now so I'll continue to dream.

You can get a plank with the barrel inlet and hole drilled all over the place. Weader, Pecatonica, Rase, Leply, etc.

 

[stikshooter]

Keep in mind there is significantly more than just ease of assembly and completeness when comparing our kits to many others. Our design, style, aesthetics, historical correctness etc. are a significantly better than any other offerings in my opinion. I know many don't understand this point since they either don't have an appreciation for those things or haven't taken the time to study and learn the attributes of well built longrifles. Let me just say that you are getting all the quality of that would go into a 5 figure custom longrifle. This isn't true with other products available.

Jim

I understand Jim ,all I have to do is pick up my walnut stocked 45 SMR and admire your (kit) built by me . No way would it get done without your idea of (KIT MAKING) . And even with my screw ups , your advice and (spare parts)to make it great makes it worth everything to me/Ed

 

[sportster73hp]

Jim has been implementing a business model that most of American Mfg has long ago abandoned: Vertically integrated manufacturing. When you own and control the vast majority of the materials streams and manufacturing processes you can far better control costs and quality long term. You cut out all the middle men that add to cost, logistics, sourcing and quality issues etc.

Last I read he's moving to doing even the logging and sawmill operations down to trucking the logs.

At his open house the sawmill was set up, logs on the ground waiting. There were a few Amish he was talking to, don’t know if they were the log supplier or just interested in the saw.

 

[TobJohn]

At his open house the sawmill was set up, logs on the ground waiting. There were a few Amish he was talking to, don’t know if they were the log supplier or just interested in the saw.

I believe he is located in Amish country, or at least near it.

 

[Hawkeyes143]

I have a colonial flintlock from Jim. Great shooter. Worth the money. Jim and his staff were nice to deal with.

 

[sleepingbulldog]

I built a Kibler Colonial earlier this year and was very happy with the results. Having a correctly built gun really helped me visualize how all the parts work together and how a rifle should look when it’s done right.

I’m thinking about building my next one from a plank for two reasons - 1. I enjoy building stuff and would like to take on that challenge, and 2. I want a 20ga Fowler and Jim doesn’t make one of those.

 

[Crew Chief]

Yeah if your an average 5’10”-185 lbs. it’s one thing.
Im 6’3”-230 with wide shoulders and long arms. For me also, the Kibler was great off the bench but I have trouble getting comfortable with it offhand.
And please dont take this as a criticism of it, it’s an exceptionally beautiful, well engineered, relatively easy to assemble, rifle.
Im looking forward to Jim offering a Hawken. I have no desire to build one from a plank, but I’ll be one of the first in line when he offers a kit.

I'm in for a Kibler Hawken kit. Ready to send my deposit.

 

[mikesto44]

Jim even though I don't own one of your kits. I have helped two people put your kits (SMR) together.
Your kits are a world of difference compared to other offerings on the market. Over fifty years of being involved in black powder and having done several of the other kits.
Your attention to detail and ease of assembly leaves know comparison.
Now where's that Fowler......

 

[Toneloc]

I built a Kibler SMR a couple years ago. Caught the bug, and with a BIG help and encouragement from your vid’s, Bill, jumped in and built a .36 Southern gun from a plank. Made a few mistakes along the way, but I plowed through and finished it last summer and have been shooting it since. Added 1/4” castoff and a little more length of pull to fit me and I find it much more comfortable to shoot than the Kibler. Not that’s there’s anything wrong with the Kibler, it just doesn’t fit me well. Seriously considering selling the Kibler since Ive only shot it once since finishing this one.
Have started another Southern, based on a Luster rifle in .38, and have all the components for two more after.
The wife says thanks, Bill.View attachment 192380View attachment 192381

Curious on your stock finishing procedure? That looks great.

 

[RobertE]

Curious on your stock finishing procedure? That looks great.

Thanks,
Aqua fortis, blushed, then a few coats of Tried and True varnish oil, four or five, don’t exactly remember.
Brushed on first coat, let set for an hour or so, then rubbed it off with an old t-shirt to remove excess. Subsequent coats were applied by hand, rubbing in, let dry again for a hour, then rubbed back. Each coat about a day apart.
It was a pretty plain piece of red maple, but it did have a little figure come out.