CVA Mountain Rifle

[Cajun72]

So I have 2 USA made CVA Mountain Rifle's. What rifle were they made to represent? Hawken/Plains Rifle?
Thanks

 

[Urban Coyote]

I'd say they're kind of a generic plains rifle. I've owned a couple, wish I'd have held on to one.

 

[1:66 twisted]

I am building one. Only have to figure out the Breech plug and barrel configuration.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The CVA Mountain Rifle is as @Urban Coyote describes. It is a generic Plains / Mountain rifle in the larger calibers and in the 45 and 50 calibers, more on the order of a generic rifle sold to people moving to California.

 

[dave951]

It's a generically styled "Plains rifle" sorta "Hawken". Best way to view it is a cumulative representation of the styling of those rifles of the period.

 

[user 48679]

Mine represents one of the better factory-made frontstuffer long guns I've ever had over the past 50+ years, second only to my .45 T/C Seneca.

 

[Gtrubicon]

I have 2 USA made also, a 45 and a 50. I think they are great rifles. they are very accurate.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

So I have 2 USA made CVA Mountain Rifle's. What rifle were they made to represent? Hawken/Plains Rifle?
Thanks

I’d have to say that the gun is not styled after any historical period firearm. It looks traditional without actually being a copy of a traditional gun. In my opinion, the gun is reminiscent of a mid-period plains rifle, early percussion half stock type.

My very 1st muzzleloader was a CVA .50 calibre Mountain Rifle. I saved my allowance for 6 or 7 months and bought it from a pawnshop, when I was 13 years old. I’ve used that gun to hunt everything from squirrels and rabbits, up through antelope, deer, and elk. I’ve fired thousands of rounds, and burned 100’s of pounds of powder out the muzzle of that gun. In the 12 years that the gun was my primary/only muzzleloader, it never failed me, either on the range…or when Makin Meat.

CVA did not produce the best made kit guns, I would say that honor went to Thompson Center; and today, it would go to Kibler; but once the kit is completed properly, you will have a very reliably shooting firearm. I have yet to handle and shoot one of those old CVA Mountain Rifles, Big Bore Mountain Rifles included, that was not spot on accurate.

The breech design on some guns can give you fits, CVA failed miserably with this design. I sold a beautiful Big Bore due to the countless misfires while hunting, it was one of the most accurate rifles I ever owned, it just refused to shoot on multiple occasions when I needed it to go boom. That being said, a competent gunsmith, familiar with CVAs and their quirks can easily fix most issues, this one included…

I’ve gotten a lot of my gun projects completed this summer. I’ve two left to complete. I’m now to the point where I’m ready to go back to my old 1st muzzleloader and give it another facelift, I’m thinking of making it into a 15/16ths, .54 calibre rifle, from its original .50 calibre. 20 years ago I bought a CVA Mountain Rifle kit…it’s one of the early low serial number kits, with a mildly curly maple stock. I’ll be finishing that project this fall and winter.

I guess what I’m implying, is that these old CVA kit guns get into your blood, and it’s hard to let them go. They have their issues, but they are still an amazing quality product. If you find one that was loved and cared for, it will serve you well.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

CVA Mountain Rifle kit was my first rifle back in the 70's. Good accurate rifle but I never could get good with it, Just didn't fit me. I don't think it copies any specific rifle. It is more of a copy of a generic style rifle that was being made in many areas during the 40s and 50s. It's more of a cheaper alternative to the Hawken, which was an expensive rifle.

 

[user 53846]

Generic, but with a little work, can be made to look more Hawkenesque. Working on an unfired(circa 1978), .54 right now. Trying to make it more Plains, and less commercial.

 

[Dale Lilly]

Generic, but with a little work, can be made to look more Hawkenesque. Working on an unfired(circa 1978), .54 right now. Trying to make it more Plains, and less commercial.

I want to see pictures. I have two made in USA types. I would love to get your ideas for changes. Might even copy your work. I like 'em just as they are also. Dale

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Me as well…put me on the list to see images of your efforts.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Generic, but with a little work, can be made to look more Hawkenesque. Working on an unfired(circa 1978), .54 right now. Trying to make it more Plains, and less commercial.

The style of the stock is close to a Hawken. The drum and nipple instead of the patent breech of the Hawken is the deal breaker.

 

[Hawk54]

I browned my .54 to see how I would like it and it turned really nice and going to leave it that way.

 

[user 53846]

The Victim. Picked it up for $75 local. It was never fired. Currently has a set of Marbles sights on it. Very strong hammer spring, and has a musket nipple in it.

 

[user 53846]

Front and Rear sights it will be mounting. Beaver front is a different twist.

 

[user 53846]

This patch box. I have two trigger guards, need to decide which one. Still need an entry pipe, and deciding weither or not to re contour the original nose cap. On a limited income, so Johnny Cashing it, one piece at a time. Keep you posted on my progress. Should probably make a new thread. Apologies to the OP.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Front and Rear sights it will be mounting. Beaver front is a different twist.

That’s the same rear sight I put on my Early Plains Rifle…very happy that I did.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

The Victim. Picked it up for $75 local. It was never fired. Currently has a set of Marbles sights on it. Very strong hammer spring, and has a musket nipple in it.

After I built my first rifle from parts my Mountain rifle was just hanging on the wall. After a couple years not being a collector I decided it was time for it to find a new home. I took it apart, striped the finish off and corrected the mistakes I had made when I put it together. I then stained it with Aqua Fortis and used Potassium Permanganate to paint an artificial tiger strip on the stock and refinished it. Hung it on the wall of the clubhouse during a shoot with a sign clearly stating it was a fake tiger stripe. In less than an hour it had found a new home.

 

[Mulemauler]

Lock and triggers were a bit of a week spot but their barrel would SHOOT! Never saw one that wouldn't. As a dedicated round ball shooter I always liked them for that reason alone.