Can’t find a rifle!

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Pedersoli Mortimer Flintlock .54 muzzle loader 54 cal Nice Pre-Owned $1150
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1024508348

Contemporary Kentucky Tennessee squirrel flintlock rifle .54 cal $910
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1036130104

Half round barrel flintlock .54 cal penny auction
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1037997687

There are many other options. There's also GunAuction.com, GunSpot, TexasGunTrader, GunInternational. Track of the Wolf and October Country both carry used rifles sometimes.
@ColonialRifleSmith would be a good start and if he's too busy may be able to recommend another. Looked up that rifle. American long rifles of that style are frequent fliers in the classifieds but waiting for the right wood and caliber to show up could take some patience.

This one is still available and discounted even. Feel free to insert some sarcasm based on how you feel about the now reduced price.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...klin-andrew-verner-long-rifle-reduced.174116/
I have sent a message to Colonial Rifle Smith. We’ll see how that materializes.

That rifle in the listing is GORGEOUS! But a touch higher than what I intended to pay starting out.
Who knows, I may just say screw it, and go with something of that level!
 
If you are patient finished Kibler Woodsrunners in .54 show up here in the for sale forum quite frequently. Guys build them and sell them to buy another kit to put together. I've seen several for sale here and they are a heck of a lot better gun than that Pedersoli.
Definitely going to be on the lookout!
 
Seems like I remember a nice Frontier rifle on Track of the Wolf a few months ago. It said it was new and never fired, had a nice curly maple stock. Can't remember the caliber. Pretty sure it was around $1,000.00. I remember when I saw it I thought" that's not going to last long" and sure enough it was gone the same day. Point is, they're out there and if that's what your heart is set on I'm sure that you will be able to find one, might just take a little time.
 
The Pedersoli isn't terrible for a production gun but I will echo what many have said already that for what the Frontier would cost you are getting into the price range of much better quality muzzleloaders. If you put a Frontier rifle beside one of Jim Kibler's rifles it would almost be laughable the difference in quality and for really around the same price of just a little more.
 
@ColonialRifleSmith would be a good start and if he's too busy may be able to recommend another. Looked up that rifle. American long rifles of that style are frequent fliers in the classifieds but waiting for the right wood and caliber to show up could take some patience.

This one is still available and discounted even. Feel free to insert some sarcasm based on how you feel about the now reduced price.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...klin-andrew-verner-long-rifle-reduced.174116/
Yup, I referred him to @ColonialRifleSmith and connected them in a private chat already. He's building my Trade Gun right now.
 
Mr. K doesn't make the style of long rifle he's looking for though?
No, but if he can't find the exact rifle he wants to do the job, maybe he might consider a rifle he can find that will do the same job. It's just a matter of priorities: the rifle or the job. Sometimes one has to go with what is and will do rather than not go with what ain't. Likely eventually he'll be able to get ahold of exactly what he's looking for, but whether that means in the meantime missed opportunities to bag his elk. Only he can decide which is the more important. Meantime, knowing what the alternatives are, could be helpful. Way I see it, that's all. :cool:
 
No, but if he can't find the exact rifle he wants to do the job, maybe he might consider a rifle he can find that will do the same job. It's just a matter of priorities: the rifle or the job. Sometimes one has to go with what is and will do rather than not go with what ain't. Likely eventually he'll be able to get ahold of exactly what he's looking for, but whether that means in the meantime missed opportunities to bag his elk. Only he can decide which is the more important. Meantime, knowing what the alternatives are, could be helpful. Way I see it, that's all. :cool:
I fully agree. The guy that said the quality difference between a Pedersoli and Kibler for the same money is laughable wasn't kidding, he was being overly polite to Pedersoli. I still feel that we are falling into the trap of pushing stuff on folks that's not what they want. However, as you pointed out. The Kibler can be had now and cheaper if one gets a B-grade stock while still looking for the one.
 
I understand the not everyone want to take a deep dive in to home gunsmithing.

That said the Kibler kits can be assembled on the kitchen table of an apartment. IF you can make a plastic model airplane you can do this. There is little to no inletting required. What may be required can be done with an x-acot knife or single 1/2" chissel. The sanding can be done easily enough. The metal is usable with no work. The wood finish can be stain supplied by Kibler and some varnish wiped on. The metal barrel can be cold blued as received.

By following the instructions I feel and average non hobbiest could get it shooting in a week of evenings.

The resulting gun will be better in every way than any current Pedersoli. If at a later date there is more time and resources the details can be tidied up to make it more attractive.

IF the idea of doing the work one's self is not an option, KIbler has people that will do it for you.
 
For the money and wait time you can have a custom built similar rifle that will out perform a production gun in quality and resale value. I can provide you info on custom builders I know and you can discuss it with them if interested.
Really? “Buy a custom”… new people need a gun to learn with. There are plenty of used guns out there. If he has his heart set on a certain gun, then he’s not going to be happy otherwise.
 
Hey guys, I am brand new to traditional muzzle loading, and brand new to the forum.

I have been SCOURING the interweb, trying to find a Pedersoli (even a Taylor’s branded) Frontier Maple Deluxe .54 Flintlock.
Apparently this rifle is unobtainium! After deep digging, I got in touch with the Italian Firearms Group (IFG) who does the majority of Pedersoli’s importing. They told me I could order the rifle, but looking at 15+ months!

I know I could go custom, and have spoken to several fine gun makers, but as you all know, similar or longer lead times, and significantly more money.

I have found the Pedersoli rifle in .50 cal….but was REALLY wanting the .54, as I plan to hunt elk sized animals, including some exotics, and had hoped to play around with the challenge of long range flintlock target shooting.

Anyone have any leads on where I could POSSIBLY find the rifle?? A note* I have searched preowned classifieds nearly everywhere.
Was hoping one of you would know a dealer/gun shop that may have one on a shelf, somewhere in the free world.
Welcome to the group. My experience with purchasing Pedersoli items from dealers has been an education to say the least. I tried to make a purchase from IFG, they could have cared less and wanted a non-refundable 40% down at the time of order with no idea of a delivery date. I contacted Taylor's, they required no deposit but did say I should contact Pedersoli directly for shipment information. The people at Pedersoli were very nice to deal with and responded quickly to my inquiries. I have a Mortimer and a Jager in .54, very nice muzzle loaders and fun to shoot.
If this route works for you, I just purchased a kit from Kibler's in .54, something you could have in just a few days. The kit was advertised in .45, but they were happy to accommodate my request for .54.
Good luck moving forward.
Jim
 
Really? “Buy a custom”… new people need a gun to learn with. There are plenty of used guns out there. If he has his heart set on a certain gun, then he’s not going to be happy otherwise.
The quality of offshore made flintlocks is a crap shoot. The breaching systems are crap. For the money a Kibler Kit is absolutely a bargain. And the quality of the components is impressive. I’d never steer a beginner toward a offshore made gun. BJH
 
Really? “Buy a custom”… new people need a gun to learn with. There are plenty of used guns out there. If he has his heart set on a certain gun, then he’s not going to be happy otherwise.
Well its good to know there are other options available. I have talked with the OP he is interested in a custom build. He just was unaware they could be within his price range and timeline. I was in the same boat before and wish someone had given me the same advice. I appreciate your opinion and it is valid.
 
I have found the Pedersoli rifle in .50 cal….but was REALLY wanting the .54, as I plan to hunt elk sized animals, including some exotics, and had hoped to play around with the challenge of long range flintlock target shooting.

So you have had some really good input on your rifle choice. Just FYI that rifle is pretty, and a good shooter, but in .54 it was a rather slow twist rate which is excellent for round ball, but not good for conicals, or paper patched bullets. A lot of folks doing "long range shooting" are talking about 220 yards, and they use paper patched bullets.

buy the .50 and have it rebored.

This is a better option, because you may choose the twist rate to comply with your shooting needs while at the same time have the caliber and weight for the elk.

I've had several Frontier rifles, and once you have the breech figured out, they're fine. BTW I have a TC New Englander, and it has a patent breech as well. Shoots fine.

The Frontier is not quite as nice as a Kibler, for sure, but the Frontier is not bad.

LD
 
Last edited:
You really don't want the patient breech, they are the pits. Yes i own
Flintlocks are considered "unreliable" by folks who don't know how to shoot them. The Pedersoli adds another wrinkle to the learning curve. I'm a Kibler fan based on architecture, quality and performance. Call Kibler and check on the cost/wait time for a completed rifle. Plan B, look for a used rifle.
 
Back
Top