Dixie Gun Works Moutain Rifle ?

[Murphinator]

Recently a shop near my work has been getting muzzleloaders in and lots of them. A local collector and enthusiast passed and his whole lot has been auctioned his remaining muzzleloaders were sold to this shop. The rifle is a Dixie Gun Works Tennesee Mountain Rifle, Barrel marked Made in Japan. It has a 41" barrel, .50 caliber and an additional lock thay comes with it only missing its spring ( frizzen spring I think ). Looks decent, bore isnt damaged neither is the stock. It is for sale for $730.00, is this a good deal or is this high for a rifle like this. It seems old maybe 1970s or 1980s manufacture. Has anyone ever seen or used these before ? Im looking for ny first flintlock rifle and Im trying to find out if this is a good rifle or something I should pass on for another rifle later on. I will post pictures later when I get off of work.

 

[Maven]

That price seems a bit high, but the TMR (made by Miroku) is well constructed, but quite muzzle heavy. You may want to check how well it fits you and whether you like its weight prior to purchasing it. Lastly, I had a spare percussion lock for it and a Dixie nipple and drum (5 min. conversion and could just as quickly be reconverted to FL), which was much more reliable than the FL version. Btw, the Miroku version has a cherrywood stock. Hope this helps you make a decision.

 

[rafterob]

I too concur that price is high for that rifle. 4-500 maybe. They are barrel heavy but solid shooters.

 

[sheriff john]

I have one. Rescued "project" rifle same specs you're stating. Dixie doesn't carry lock nor set trigger parts any longer. Screws are metric according to Dixie's gunsmith who also had no clue as to what the original stock finish was. Some say muzzle heavy. Suits me just fine - but I'm no expert. They were offered as kit guns, also.

Value is what buyer and seller agree on. It is a neat gun and mine throws sparks, makes smoke, and everything works.

 

[Red Owl]

On the Southern "mountain" rifle- maybe some other folks can jump in on this that have the knowledge. I think in the 1800's a style originated in the Southern highlands, accurate rifles with local materials BUT then after percussion caps, etc- say beginning around maybe 1900 another "southern" rifle showed up. Folks in the hills couldn't afford new "cartridge" guns and percussion caps were getting hard to find so they went back to flintlocks.

 

[hanshi]

The rifles are good ones; but I'd pass on that one unless the price comes down....a good bit.

 

[SmoothboreMurph]

Recently a shop near my work has been getting muzzleloaders in and lots of them. A local collector and enthusiast passed and his whole lot has been auctioned his remaining muzzleloaders were sold to this shop. The rifle is a Dixie Gun Works Tennesee Mountain Rifle, Barrel marked Made in Japan. It has a 41" barrel, .50 caliber and an additional lock thay comes with it only missing its spring ( frizzen spring I think ). Looks decent, bore isnt damaged neither is the stock. It is for sale for $730.00, is this a good deal or is this high for a rifle like this. It seems old maybe 1970s or 1980s manufacture. Has anyone ever seen or used these before ? Im looking for ny first flintlock rifle and Im trying to find out if this is a good rifle or something I should pass on for another rifle later on. I will post pictures later when I get off of work.

My father has one of these is was a kit my Grandfather was given when he got out of Vietnam in 1968. The barrel was belgian not Japanese but still the Japanese one is good. Let me say that they are good shooters I mean they are real tack drivers out to 80 yards. My father loved it and I hunted with it as my first flintlock I had ever handled. That being said I would say you need to pass on this rifle. This rifle although havin an easy to transport length and decent deer caliber has nothing else going for it. These rifles are muzzle heavy even for their length and in my opinion are just heavy in general for $300 this would be a rifle I would start with until I got somethin better. If I were you I'd find out what my spending limit is. If it is up there a bit I would do this. Go buy a Kibler Colonial kit. I know you've said before you've never done a kit rifle so you could buy an "In the White" kit. This means everything is assembled and fitted all you have to do is stain the wood and brown or blue your parts like barrel and lock. Personally I want to build a Kibler Colonial .58 rifle with a Cherry stock and no brass nosecap. (I'd rather it be just wood there under the barrel. Either that or keep watching this forum until a good looker comes up. If you dead set on .50 caliber @AZMuzzleloaders has one for sale for $1700. It has a 46 inch barrel, its a real beauty to look at. The barrel is a Getz and it has a Siler lock. Would definitely be a good deer rifle. Just a few things to get ya goin.

 

[Murphinator]

My father has one of these is was a kit my Grandfather was given when he got out of Vietnam in 1968. The barrel was belgian not Japanese but still the Japanese one is good. Let me say that they are good shooters I mean they are real tack drivers out to 80 yards. My father loved it and I hunted with it as my first flintlock I had ever handled. That being said I would say you need to pass on this rifle. This rifle although havin an easy to transport length and decent deer caliber has nothing else going for it. These rifles are muzzle heavy even for their length and in my opinion are just heavy in general for $300 this would be a rifle I would start with until I got somethin better. If I were you I'd find out what my spending limit is. If it is up there a bit I would do this. Go buy a Kibler Colonial kit. I know you've said before you've never done a kit rifle so you could buy an "In the White" kit. This means everything is assembled and fitted all you have to do is stain the wood and brown or blue your parts like barrel and lock. Personally I want to build a Kibler Colonial .58 rifle with a Cherry stock and no brass nosecap. (I'd rather it be just wood there under the barrel. Either that or keep watching this forum until a good looker comes up. If you dead set on .50 caliber @AZMuzzleloaders has one for sale for $1700. It has a 46 inch barrel, its a real beauty to look at. The barrel is a Getz and it has a Siler lock. Would definitely be a good deer rifle. Just a few things to get ya goin.

Yea I have seen that one its really nice, I was talking to some guys at work who hunt with Percussion rifles and they were telling me to go for a .54 or .58 rifle as they are better than a .50 for deer. I guess it would be cheaper to buy a Kibler kit than to buy that rifle from AZ and then open the barrel up to .54 (if thats even possible).

 

[SmoothboreMurph]

Yea I have seen that one its really nice, I was talking to some guys at work who hunt with Percussion rifles and they were telling me to go for a .54 or .58 rifle as they are better than a .50 for deer. I guess it would be cheaper to buy a Kibler kit than to buy that rifle from AZ and then open the barrel up to .54 (if thats even possible).

It probably would be cheaper to buy a Kibler, that being said Bobby Hoyt is a guy most people go for to ream out barrels to a larger size. Also on a side note smallest caliber I have seen deer shot with was .38 caliber (.375 ball). The deer was shot at 219 yards by a 77 year old man. That was a shot I couldnt believe even after witnessing it with my own two eyes. I pat myself on the back for making 100 yard shots lol. 54 caliber is a good caliber and .58 is even better. In my opinion .62 is the biggest I would go in a rifle. But I like .58 and it will be my next in due time.

 

[R Ellis]

One on Gunbroker now asking $795 also the extra lock has value so make offer of $600 if you like the gun I shoot mine from the bench so the weight is not a proble and I have other guns to hunt with.

 

[Murphinator]

One on Gunbroker now asking $795 also the extra lock has value so make offer of $600 if you like the gun I shoot mine from the bench so the weight is not a proble and I have other guns to hunt with.

Do you think itd be good for hunting ? I dont have any rifle at this point in time so it will be my first and only flintlock rifle so far as of right now. She is kinda muzzle heavy.

 

[R Ellis]

All said it should be accurate .Every one posting said they were and mine is too if you are able to hold the weight you will be fine yes they are muzzle heavy but that helps to hold steady offhand and you can always rest on a tre or shooting stick I think you will like it also some have cut a few inches off barrel and loved it afterwards

 

[Nobade]

If you go to buy it make sure they let you take the lock off and inspect it. I bought one of those in 32 caliber a number of years ago and the lock was completely worn out. Evidently they were not all that great from new. I got an L&R replacement lock for it, and have been futzing with that for quite a while. The geometry is not right and it won't fire reliably. In fact I ordered a gooseneck type cock for it yesterday as an attempt to have something that is adjustable and hopefully be able to direct the sparks toward the pan. Just something to be aware of, I personally would not pay top dollar for one of those rifles with so many better options available out there. On a positive note, when it does go off it is quite accurate...

 

[Murphinator]

If you go to buy it make sure they let you take the lock off and inspect it. I bought one of those in 32 caliber a number of years ago and the lock was completely worn out. Evidently they were not all that great from new. I got an L&R replacement lock for it, and have been futzing with that for quite a while. The geometry is not right and it won't fire reliably. In fact I ordered a gooseneck type cock for it yesterday as an attempt to have something that is adjustable and hopefully be able to direct the sparks toward the pan. Just something to be aware of, I personally would not pay top dollar for one of those rifles with so many better options available out there. On a positive note, when it does go off it is quite accurate...

Sounds like these rifles were good when they were new but after age become an effective game club

 

[mingo]

I have one I bought many years ago from the hands of Turner Kirkland.
Fired it a lot.
Extremely accurate, dependable, with no issues.
Suggestions that they wear out or become clubs is preposterous.
They are lengthy and a bit muzzle heavy.
I wonder if anyone has ever shortened one.
I have a second one I bought from Sitting Fox I have never fired.
It is very nice and extra as far as I am concerned pm me if you'd
Like.

 

[Dubya62]

I have the same rifle in flintlock that I bought new from DGW back in the mid -eighties for around $400. It's kinda entry-level in value but a fine shooter. I've hunted with it a few times but mostly just range shooting. This year I replaced the lock with an L&R and that has much better ignition time.

 

[Cornbread]

Ditto to most of what is said above…

As to the lock, you may get 5 to 7 shots before it no longer throws sparks. L&R are TOP notch people to help you with this. I know because I sent mine to them recently for a ‘look see’ and got it back in working shape!

James

 

[SamTex1949]

Yea I have seen that one its really nice, I was talking to some guys at work who hunt with Percussion rifles and they were telling me to go for a .54 or .58 rifle as they are better than a .50 for deer. I guess it would be cheaper to buy a Kibler kit than to buy that rifle from AZ and then open the barrel up to .54 (if thats even possible).

Id ignore the suggestions from the "guys" at work. .50 cal is more then enough for any game

 

[Grenadier1758]

I agree with @SamTex1949. The 50 caliber is more than adequate for deer sized game. The fact that the offering for the Dixie Mountain Rifle includes the spare lock and touch hole liner does add value. I do agree that the asking price is a bit high, and an attempt should be made to negotiate the price more toward $600 or $650. A common comment is the fact that the rifle is muzzle heavy, but accurate on target. @Murphinator, how does it feel when you put it to your shoulder?

If you buy a replacement lock or have the barrel bored out, you add cost to the rifle that will not be recovered on resale. For that reason, I would hold back on planning on making any modifications until I have thoroughly evaluated the rifle and its performance.

 

[vintovka]

FWIW there were two issues of the TMR. The first much better than the second. The first had a 13/16 .50 barrel with select stocks, great locks and nice handling. The second had a 14 or 15/16 barrel and lesser quality parts. A first issue TMRs handle nicely due to thinner barrel and fit and finish and ran up to maybe 300 in serial. A first issue with factory fitted interchangeable flint and percussion locks was very nice. We had a very early first issue, dual lock, in the shop for a while that came directly from DGW. Was supposedly a prototype with a bean style patchbox installed. It sold very fast. When discontinued we were told that it was due to the cost of cherry wood and labor. DGW added the grease hole was not a big selling feature.