cva kentucky rifle

[bubba15301]

found one in a small gunshop . barrel was browned . price was 200 dollars is this a good price for one

 

[Zonie]

IMO it is a bit high but my mind is set a few years back.

For a CVA Kentucky in excellent shape I would think $175 might be fair.

 

[Rogue River]

There's one on an auction site, starting bid is $200.00. It's a caplock. I think 150 to 250 is a good price depending on the condition of the rifle. I've noticed also the price of a gun depends a lot on your location!

 

[russecv58]

if its in good shape then i wouldnt have a problem paying 200 for it, but wouldnt do much more. if you can bargain with them thats even better. good luck :thumbsup:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Check it out carefully. The early ones were dangerous junk. My first ml rifle was a CVA 'Kentucky'. The barrel was a welded together two piece thing with different riflings in each section. And that was only the beginning of all that was bad with it. IMHO, $200.00 is a lot for a lamp stand.

 

[Snakebite]

I think I'd take the $200 and save up a couple more and get a GPR or TC. I think the CVA Kentucky is about the bottom of entry level guns. Just my opion though.

 

[bowkill]

I would wait it out for a better gun, you will be alot happier.

 

[russecv58]

alot of people down talk the CVA. some probably have had bad experiences(it happens with most anything), but for the most part they're a good gun for the money. as for accuracy, i'd put mine up against most any ML rifle on the market. my kentucky flinter is an old one that my dad made from a cva kit in the early 70's and the only thing ive ever done to it is replace the frizzen when it quit sparking. my hawken has had a LOT of rounds through it, and no problems as of yet. maybe im just lucky with the reliability of my CVA guns. the only thing i can complain about is the balance, they're a little bit nose heavy. other than that they've been great. my advice : if its in good shape, shoulder it, and if it feels right... take it home with you. :thumbsup:

 

I've got to go with "junk" group. CVA made some good rifles and then they made the Kentucky, maybe not in that order. I bought a CVA Kentucky along with a bag, mold and some other accessories for $75 at a show. Granted the rifle had been ridden hard and put away wet but I cleaned it up and got it shooting and was happy to get $100 for the rifle. I'd definitly put my $200 away and save up a couple more for "almost anything.
Mark :nono:

 

[bowkill]

 

[Stubert]

If I were going to buy an inexpensive rifle, I would absolutely have to see it in person. Some of the cva's are good, some others????

 

[bubba15301]

looked unfired .he also had a couple of rmc's flintlocks- left handed

 

[lonehunter]

$200 is a little high, IMHO,
Try to talk him down a little.
I payed $75 for mine. :wink:
50 Yard target

 

[oldfart1956]

Bubba, resale value on them usually isn't that high. Yesterday I saw one for sale for $75 and my neighbor sold 2 Traditions Shenandoahs for $150 for the pair. I'm just sayin'. Audie...

 

[wayne1967]

I just never could get past the split stock. Good starter gun. My first was a petersoli kentucky which gets a thumbs down by many but I learned to shoot with it.

 

[brubincam]

-----I had one in the 70'S--didn't like the split stock--wrapped it with leather-- :thumbsup: --lots better that way----- :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Capsmacker, we are all proud of our guns and defend what works for us. My comment was not generalized about all CVA guns. Their later Hawken/Mountain rifle was/is a fine factory made ml rifle. My unflattering comment was restricted to the early 'Kentucky' models. They were unmitigated junk and, IMHO, dangerously so. Uglier than a mud hen but that doesn't affect shooting or safety. My advice on the 'Kentucky' model is to check out very-very carefully and do not over pay.

 

[Mickc01]

Reading this thread make me wonder just how many of us old farts (I include me in that group) started out with “Kentucky rifles” made of 2 piece stocks. I sure did and mine wasn’t even a CVA. I have no idea who the maker was but I’m thinking it was Italian. My stock was joined where the ramrod entered with a piece of brass that doubled as the entry pipe, and it must have been about 2 inches wide. Does that one ring a bell with anyone?

It was a cheap, ugly, totally unauthentic gun, but I sure had a fun time with it while I had it.

A couple of years ago, I was watching the then new HBO mini series on John Adams. During one of the crowd shots I was mouth-dropped-open stunned to see my exact rifle over the shoulder of one of the town’s folks. It was a quick pan by but I immediately recognized that 2 piece stock and big hunk of brass. Gotta say it did give me pause as to other possible HC breaches in that otherwise excellent production.

 

[LeeinVA]

The other thing is that rifles are a great think to practice on with engraving, inletting, etc.. I built the Kentucky kit many moons ago. I was 16 and tried my hand at some fancing carvings on the stock. It looks horrible today through my 45 year old eyes, but as ugly as she is, we have a connection and do shoot her more often than any other front stuffer i own. reason is i know her inside out and up side down. many tree rats taken by her..

 

[Zonie]

Aside from the general appearance of the CVA Kentucky, the only real weakness I'm aware of is the lock.

In the very old CVA guns the tumbler was unbridled and this put a lot of wear on the hole thru the lockplate. Over the years, CVA added a bridle for the tumbler and in general improved the lock a bit.
The frizzen was also just case hardened and the hard steel case was very thin making sparks few and far between.

The barrels were usually well made and quite accurate.
As others have mentioned, a lot of people started their muzzleloading with these guns and obviously they were good enough to inspire these folks to keep on shooting.
I know I owned my share of CVA percussion guns and although they weren't what I would call excellent they were good enough to give me a lot of enjoyment.