Best Choice of a Chambers Kit

[Robbo]

I have heard many times on this forum people singing the praises of Jim Chambers Kits so I have more or less decided on one as my first build, despite the enormous logistical problems of getting it to this side of the world (thanks to our stupid gun laws which don't differentiate between flintlock and AK-47s)

But I was wondering - are any of the kits he sells inherently more difficult than others (ie - one for a rank beginner like me to avoid? My initial choice is his Early Lancaster kit. For those who might have made this kit - any special problems?

Many Thanks

Robbo

 

[Mike Brooks]

That's a good choice! I've built several. :thumbsup:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

I did one of Jim's Virginia Kits and was pleased with the whole set. The only thing that suprised me was that I had to solder the front sight blade to the base. Not extremely difficult but many sights today come already put together. One other thing the lock was inlet so close that I could've gotten by with using sand paper on the edge of the lock mortice instead of a chisel. You will be most happy with anything you buy from the Chambers family.

 

[Vaino]

Have assembled 3 Chambers' early Lancaster kits and my only deviation is to use a #6-32 front lock screw seeing there's possible interference w/ the RR hole. The only dovetail not cut is for the rear sight and the brass components require a minimum amount of filing and polishing. The precarved stock is excellent but does require some wood removal. All in all, a quality kit that can be made into an outstanding LR....Fred

 

[Herb]

I did an early Virginia rifle and also do not like having to solder the front sight. Some suppliers furnish a rectangular blade soldered in, then you have to saw it out to shape. I don't like those, either. My kit had an undersize nose cap, like a 13/16" cap to fit a 7/8" barrel (or whatever). I phoned them and they said they furnish only one size. Track of the Wolf sells five sizes of this John Bivins (I think it is) cast nose cap. So I had to file it larger and then drive it forward on the swamped barrel to get it to fit. I don't think much of that idea. Also, I got a wimpy 5/16" ramrod (as I remember) to fit the 3/8" rod pipes, or if it was 3/8", it was so undersized that I whittled out a new one. Otherwise, OK.

 

[Robbo]

Thank you all for the responses. Looks like its going to be the early Lancaster!

I have also just watched the James Turpin DVD which was really excellent for someone like me with basically everything to learn. Is the Rob Ehlert DVD worth having as well as the one I already have? Does it have any extra valable advice?

And now the fun starts - how to get all the bits and pieces into my Country. Won't be easy or cheap I suspect.

Thanks again

Robba

 

[Ghost Wind]

I've watched the Ron Ehlert DVD's plenty of times and its a good one IMO. ron covers the whole ball of wax

 

[Otter]

I don't think you could go wrong with the Lancaster from Chambers. Or any that he supplys, for that matter. That said, I've been eye-balling the Edward Marshall/Christians Spring rifle in.58 from Chambers. But I really like the larger bores.

 

[Birddog6]

Since you are where ya are & it cost a lifetime of savings just to ship to you, I suggest you discuss several things with Jim upon ordering the kit, which ever kit it be.

1: Insure the stock has good wrist grain, regardless of the striping.
2: Insure the lock inlet is at the correct height for the barrel to be center of flat on the vent liner position.
3: Make sure the Barrel is absolutely perfect, inside, outside & have him check the breechplug fit to insure it is correct.
4: Check all of the inlets to insure they have not been overcut.
5: Check & fine tune the lock to insure it is perfect.

Now some of you think this should already be done, I have to agree with ya. However, this is going to Australia........ You can't just call ol Jim & have a new lock or buttplate in 3 days for $ 4.95 when it is going to Australia. It will cost a small fortune in shipping fees, customs fees, etc. to get a parts set there & just swapping a stock or barrel is a MAJOR expense, not like here where we can do it for $20.

So I suggest you have Jim double check everything Personally to insure it is all exactly as it is supposed to be.....

Now don't get me wrong, everything they do at Jim Chambers Flintlocks is top notch, IMHO. However, to me this particular order should be done with kid's gloves to insure there is no error, cause a error here is extremely costly. :hmm:

 

[Capt. Fred]

Robbo, I've got a wacky question.(My specialty)

Do you have any friends that work at a museum? They ship stuff from all corners of the globe all the time. I don't know if they get any cost or paperwork breaks but they surely know the system as well as anybody. Just a thought.

 

[Jason Lewis]

be prepared to possibly wait along time to get your order. i am on my first JC kit, i chose the new england fowler with a 10ga bore. i ordered it in may and i'm still waiting. i'm sure it will be great when i get it. i've not found anyone how's had a bad experience with JC.

 

[Birddog6]

I think it depends on what you order, as he has kits in stock, but most likely keeps the ones he sells the most in stock. :hmm:

A good example is I have 5 Tenn. rifles started..... Profiles are cut out, RR holes drilled & barrels inlet into the stocks. Dang if I didnt't get orders for 3 Tennessee's, and not a one of the stocks I have started will fill the orders. Either wrong barrel length, wrong caliber, or walnut instead of maple, or maple instead of walnut, etc....... No way of second guessing it unless ya start about 10 dif ones of each caliber, in each wood,in each barrel length, in each barrel weight (A,B,C), etc.

:shake:

 

[Robbo]

Thanks to all for the good advice.

The problem of getting the kit here is way more complicated than you can imagine. The basic problem is that under our laws, every gun including ML's must be individualy lisenced. Any gun coming into the country - and a full set of parts counts as a gun - must carry an individual and unique serial number plus be tested by the authorities. Now as you can imagine - thaat presents a few problems with a set of parts - nothing to test - so they won't let it in.

The way around it is the break the order up. I still need special approval for the barrel, but the rest is OK. So I will get the kit shipped first to my father in law in SW Penna in the US, and get him to break the order down into 3 or 4 separate packages, except for the stock which he has agreed to "mule" out here when he visits at Xmas time. All the smaller metal pieces shoud just pass through as "metal castings" or "lock parts".

So as you can see, it is going to be a real PITA - which is one reason I have to make sure of my choice 'cos it might be a while before I can do it again!!

Good comments though about making sure everything is A1 squared away before we start and I might call up the company and talk it over.

Just be grateful for your second amendment ..... :thumbsup:

Best Wishes
Robbo

 

[Jason Lewis]

i guess that makes sense it just still seems like a long time.

 

[agill]

The barrel is shipped and ordered thru Buckeye Barrels, Llc. The other parts are ordered thru Jim Chambers Flintlocks, Ltd. There will be at least two boxes. Will this get the kit past the laws?

 

[Robbo]

Yep. It will help. I will still need special permission to bring the barrel - but coming direct rather than via the father-in-law would be quicker.

The rest of the stuff broken down into separate packages might still be safer.

Cheers Robbo

 

[joehenz]

Since you're on the other side of the earth, I'll just warn you that when I bought my kit from Chambers the bag of parts was missing the trigger plate. When I emailed Chambers asking in writing for a steel trigger plate, she mailed me a BRASS trigger GUARD. I then had to mail that part back to get the STEEL trigger PLATE. A minor irritation when you live in the States, maybe not so minor where you live.

 

I can't wait for the pics of the rifle when its built. Great to know there is one in Australia, I am sure there are others but its cool to know about this one! Good luck and great choice.

 

[Robbo]

Thanks Billy - hope its not too long a wait. There are a couple of guys I am aware of that make guns here but so far as I know - only a handful.

 

[dyemaker]

I like that one too Otter. At first I thought huh, how ugly but the more I look at it the prettier it gets. Fairly light and not a real long barrel. Seems like a nice hunting rifle. wish I had the funds.