first gun a kit?

[Steven.Driediger]

I have never owned or used a blackpowder gun before, but would like to get into it. Is it a stupid idea to buy a kit in the interest of saving a few bucks for a first ML?

 

[rabjr]

Hell no! It's a pretty good feeling shootin something you put together my friend. :thumbsup:

 

[davy]

I have never owned or used a blackpowder gun before, but would like to get into it. Is it a stupid idea to buy a kit in the interest of saving a few bucks for a first ML?

I think its a great idear as long as you have some skill with the tools needed & know a little of whats involved. A little study can go a long way BEFORE you dig to get the job done! Pick up one of the fine HOWTO books or three, and study it .. that will help immensely IMHO! :hatsoff:

Mite I also suggest that you check around your area and find someone to mentor you a little, at the very least let you shoot a muzzle rifle gun before you jump into the pond whole frog? I would think most of the folks here would agree a hands on experience with the real thing is a real eye opener to say the least! :grin:

Most muzzleloading folks I have met are more than happy to spread the wealth of knowledge they have, and its a wonderfull way to make new friends! :hatsoff:

Davy

 

[crockett]

A kit is okay but don't get a $500 plus one that needs a lot of work. Try one of the less expensive kits for around $200.00. They have the breech plug installed, dovetails cut in the barrel, etc- you pretty much just assemble them except for some minor fitting.

 

[Steven.Driediger]

does anyone have any experience with the kits from Cabelas?

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

You could also check Dixie Gun Works for kits. They have a difficulty rating for their kits and quite a variety of kits to choose from.

 

[renovato]

Putting together a kit is always a satisfying experience and you learn a lot along the way. It can also be frustrating at times, but usually nothing that you can't work through.

On the other hand, if you are talking about a factory kit, you generally won't save any money doing it yourself. They aren't priced that much under the cost of the completed gun. When you factor in the cost of stain, wood and metal finish, sandpaper, and any tools that you might need to pick up, you are generally better off cost wise to just buy it completed.

Building a kit is mostly for the satisfaction of being able to build it exactly how you want it and shooting something that you made yourself. Now the custom and semi-custom kits from gun makers are quite a value, but they require a much larger investment in equipment and time, plus a far higher level of skill.

As for the Cabelas kits. The only one I have experience with is their Hawken. It's made by Investarms who build the fine Lyman guns. Dixie also sells the kit without the Cabelas stamp on the barrel. It's a very good gun! The kit is one of the easiest to assemble of any I have done and the finished gun is easily up to the quality and accuracy of Lyman and Thompson guns.

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Building a kit is mostly for the satisfaction of being able to build it exactly how you want it and shooting something that you made yourself.

I have to agree with Plink. When I bought my Lyman GPR kit, the finished gun was about $100 more (not sure what they are doing now). The finished guns though look like they were assembled straight from the box. Putting together the kit, I was able to get a custom gun exactly as I wanted it, with the added benefit of learning a heck of a lot.
Scott

 

[Birddog6]

I say buy the rifle built & buy a good used GPR or T/C. You don't know if you want to shoot BP yet & this will get ya off & shooting & then you can see if ya like it, and little investment & no building time involved on something you don't know if you even like or not.
:thumbsup:

 

I agree with Birddog6, get a GPR, or TC first, and give the shooting part a try first. Both of these guns have pretty good resale value, so if you don't care for it, you will pretty much be able to get your money out. The Cabela's kits are pretty easy to assembly with only a little fitting required. The GPR is probably the easiest and best starter kit to go with, if you want to try your hand at assembly.
Bill