Custom Builders

[rb8941]

Boy, if I don't wear out my welcome here pretty quickly I'll be amazed but I have yet another question to ask about that first flintlock purchase (don't you wish I could just get all my questions together in one posting?...so do I).

Anyhow, do any of you have experience with either the Colonial Gun Works or the Tennesee Valley Muzzleloading Company? Both seem to make some pretty interesting and affordable flintlocks.

Any insight you could provide into either or both companies will be appreciated.

Rick

 

[silverfox]

I don't know Colonial Gun Works. I do know Tenn Valley Mfg. they make quality products and are good people to work with. Price is right a good deal for what you will get. Ask what they have and you may not have to wait for something to be madeup. They do have guns on hand at times.
My TVM is a beautiful gun and couldn't be replaced now for twice what I paid for it.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[bioprof]

There are actually two different unrelated TVM companies and both build muzzleloaders. One is Tennesee Valley Manufacturing and the other is Tennesee Valley Muzzleloading. I believe that both make quality muzzleloaders at a fair price.

 

[flintriflesmith]

The title of your posting caught me by surprize --- I would not call any of these companies "custom builders." But that's just my opinion!

 

[Ted W. Coombs]

For a semi-custom gun try Caywood Guns. I'me happy with a English fowler in .62 And a .54 that I finished in the white. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Best of luck. Teton Ted

 

[tr07416]

I see you are located in PA and it is a large state, but if you want to shoulder a TVM (TN Valley Muzzleloading)rifle before you buy, Dixon's Muzzleloading Shop usually has a few in stock. They have a standing order with TVM and sell a lot of their guns.If you buy direct from TVM there is usually a long wait. I was shooting my TVM Late Lancaster the same day I bought it from Dixons. Of course they get their cut for being the middleman,but to me it was worth it. Heading west from NJ, Dixons is located two exits before you get to Cabelas off Interstate 78, thats the Kempton exit. The place is a real candy shop for muzzleloaders of all kinds.Look up,the nicest rifles are hanging from the ceiling.Good Luck.
TR

 

[tr07416]

Rick,
I just checked your other posts and see you have been considering production guns like Pedersoli and Traditions. You even mentioned the Traditions PA Rifle.

Its just MHO,but my first flinter was the Traditions PA and I won't bore our friends here on the fourm again with the troubles I had with it,so I'll just say that I haven't taken it off the wall since I shot my TVM. To me, if somebody doesn't have the bucks or gets tried of saving and waiting, "any flinter is better than no flinter." On the other hand, I sure wish I had put the $500 the Traditions cost me toward a better gun a lot sooner. I forget who it was, but when I asked my first question about the PA, one of these guys told me to return it and put the money toward a better gun. I wish I had listened.
TR

 

[Trench]

Hey, you're asking all the right questions! I just got my TVM Early Virginia last month and I love it. The rifle was actually delivered to me in just under 4 months. I don't know if that's typical but it surprised me. I got to take it out deer hunting over the weekend.
If you can wait, you should deffinitely consider going this route.

 

[user 13289]

The TVM I'm familiar with (pre-purchase) is in Corinth Mississippi and owned and operated by Matt and Toni Avance. OH-I just discovered that TVManufacturing is in Corinth too--with a different address and phone. Further digging reveals that TVMan is Jack Garner, Big Mac, D Randy. HMMMMM.

Well, I like TVMUZ's offerings and have been quite pleased dealing with Toni and Matt.

So keep your TVM's straight and your powder dry!

FWIW on further perusal I find that the TVMan site is outdated with "NEW FOR 2006!" nomenclature. Maybe it would help if all these "TVM" references were further clarified. I'd like to know too.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Welcome to the forum!
A word of caution, if I may.
Money bad spent, is money lost.
Depending on the style of rifle, that you are looking for, leaves you many options.
I don't believe that you must spend $5000 on a rifle, to get a good one.
Because, my $117 Numrich underhammer will kick ass over most rifles worth much more.
However for the price of a new Traditions or Pedersoli, you can buy two used Lyman GPR rifles, one in flint, and one in percussion.
Or you can purchase a fine used ( American made) custom rifle, for about the same price.
Just slow down, decide on the style, that you wish to follow, and go get it.
There are may fine rifles that surface here, in the classified ads.
All the best, from a penny pinching "Old Codger"
Old Ford

 

I own two by the TVM owned by Matt and Toni Avance. Both rifles are first rate and and excellent shooters. I have also handled rifles by the TVM owned by Jack Garner, but have not shot them so I can't speak to that, but they handled well to.

 

[Vaino]

You'd think one of these TVM companies would change their name to avoid confusion seeing neither is in Tennesee?.....Fred

 

[laufer]

i am familiar with tvm owned and operated by toni and matt avance- great gun for the money, great people to deal with. call them or email them and they may have what you are looking for in stock.

 

[ssettle]

Rick,
I just checked your other posts and see you have been considering production guns like Pedersoli and Traditions. You even mentioned the Traditions PA Rifle.

Its just MHO,but my first flinter was the Traditions PA and I won't bore our friends here on the fourm again with the troubles I had with it,so I'll just say that I haven't taken it off the wall since I shot my TVM. To me, if somebody doesn't have the bucks or gets tried of saving and waiting, "any flinter is better than no flinter." On the other hand, I sure wish I had put the $500 the Traditions cost me toward a better gun a lot sooner. I forget who it was, but when I asked my first question about the PA, one of these guys told me to return it and put the money toward a better gun. I wish I had listened.
TR

TRR couldn't be more correct... Save your money and look for a good used gun. Sometimes I wonder how Traditions stays in business with some of the manure they put out. Dixions is a very good place to look at guns, been there a few times myself. Once you start looking you won't want to leave. Plus plenty of reading material to help out with your hobby. Good Luck..SS :thumbsup:

 

[F.G. Ford]

You may have noticed that "I" did not mention companies like "Traditions" or the like.
I too wonder how some companies survive longer than three months, from some of the "CR_P" they sell.
Companies like Thompson Center, Lyman, first rate companies.
I do wish this forum had an critique collum, so that we may evaluate a product or supplier.
So that we may all give an individual company, product, or supplier a thumbs-up, or thumbs-down view.
Best regards
Old Ford

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

What are your planned uses for this gun? The best advice is to always buy the highest quality flintlock you can afford even if this means buying a used gun and having to wait a little longer. A cheap flintlock is a wretched thing to have to live with and a good one is a joy. Track always has a good selection to check out. This is no time to rush things. :thumbsup:

 

actually there is a third "TVM" LOL,,,,,,,,,,, JUST TO ADD TO THE CONFUSION! any way here is their link, and the have afoardable finished rifles! http://members.cox.net/tvmstore/store.htm[/quote]

This is not another "TVM company". It is a private person, with a "COX" personal web site.

 

[BadHorse]

actually there is a third "TVM" LOL,,,,,,,,,,, JUST TO ADD TO THE CONFUSION! any way here is their link, and the have afoardable finished rifles! http://members.cox.net/tvmstore/store.htm[/quote]

This is not another "TVM company". It is a private person, with a "COX" personal web site.

tell them that. they might like being told there new company isnt named that.

 

actually there is a third "TVM" LOL,,,,,,,,,,, JUST TO ADD TO THE CONFUSION! any way here is their link, and the have afoardable finished rifles! http://members.cox.net/tvmstore/store.htm[/quote]

This is not another "TVM company". It is a private person, with a "COX" personal web site.

tell them that. they might like being told there new company isnt named that.

They can copy the initials (TVM) and even the logo...

But I hardly think "Teche Valley Muzzleloading" is what people have in mind here when they say "TVM".

Visit them here: http://www.myspace.com/tvmstore

 

[Mike Brooks]

Good golly, everybody is a freakin' professional gun builder these days! :haha:
If you want to get into a business with incredible competition, gun building would be it! :surrender: