Building a muzzleloader from a kit

[Roger J Brym]

I'm thinking of building a flintlock muzzleloader, in the style of A. Verner or some of the other gun makers from Eastern Penn., from a kit and am looking for any advice or comments as to the quality of kits from Track of the Wolf, Jedediah Starr, Jim Chambers, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Norskie]

First, what's your skill level? Don't know about the other firms, but Track has always done right by me. They can provide gunsmithing service for the trickier parts of the build. If you can do minor metal smithing and wood work, you'll do fine. Look over the 'how to' books they sell.

 

[Swampman]

The Chamber's kits really can't be beat.

These seem nice too.
[url] http://www.cdlyles.com/Home Page.htm[/url]

 

[kmeyer]

I just finish my second gun and it was a Verner from Pecatonica. My first kit was a French Tulle also from Pecatonica. I could not be happier with them and their service even after the sale as they were willing to answer a few question by phone during the process. Here's a link to the pics.
[url] http://photobucket.com/albums/v719/kmeyer9/Guns/32cal Verner[/url]/

 

First off welcome to the best dang forum on the net. Track has good stuff, so does Muzzleloader Buildiers Supply, and Pecatonia(SP). J Starr doesn't have much of a track record on this site. I Have bought from both TOTW, and MBS, and the service is outstanding, So is Log Cabin, they have been around for years. The reasons others asked about yer building skill is that these kits, are more a collection of parts, than a kit with instructions. So most everyone that asks this question is asked about skill level. If yer just starting out we recommend you first buy a couple books on building, and maybe get a couple of the better catalogs, as they have a lot of advice, and list some of the best building books. Also browse around the site, lotsa help here, so don't be afraid to ask lots o questions. Bill

 

[CrackStock]

Read Starr's warranty policy very carefully! It is almost hidden on the websight.

TotW frequently uses Pecatonica parts and sells at about the same price. Be very careful to make sure that they have all of the parts in stock before giving them an order.

I have not personally dealt with MBS, but they enjoy a good reputation. I think that they (like Track) are mostly parts resellers.

Chambers is the most expensive, but they enjoy a great reputation for a high quality kit that requires less work than most.

TVM Avance and TVM Garner are predictably both quite similar in their products and should be considered.

I would also look at Tip Curtis as I have been hearing good things about him. Might need to get one of his just to try it out.

CS

 

[big bore 75]

I have delt with all the above excepy Jim chambers real good stuff, heres a another but be prepared for a wait era is also good , as far as tow they are great , mbs is also good and repitable, tennessess valley manufactureing is awsome and real fast delivery, he can cut lock and trigger mortises too fairally resonable check him out his web siteneeds updateing but phone number works.

 

[bub524]

I have dealt with Track and Pecatonica and they are both very good. Pec. is willing to do almost any of the inletting work for you, for a price of course. I restocked a TC and had them inlet the buttplate and it cost $20. Well worth it to me.

 

[Roger J Brym]

Bill, Thanks to you and the others for your comments and advice. This will be my first rifle from a kit. The only experience I have in working with guns is refinishing the stock on my Lyman GPR and that turned out rather well. I have some experience with wood working and carving and less with metal. I plan to have the supplier do as much of the metal work as they can. Thanks again, Roger