Honest opinions on Kibler rifles

[Dave Marsh]

I have a woodsrunner and a colonial. Locks function perfect.

 

[Siringo]

I've been thinking about getting a Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle. I've talked to a few people that have owned a Kibler rifles and some have said they've had issues with their locks over time. I know that not everything is going to be perfect all but I want to hear honest assessments of their guns by those who have them.

I have built five. Three are SMR’s. Two have Kibler locks and the other was from the orginal vendor before Kibler made his own. All function flawlessly. But flintlocks are not magic. You need to learn the ins and outs of these. In my case primarily care the flints. There are many folks that are first time flint users on this site. So take a lot of comments with a grain of salt. You will never ever go wrong with a Kibler. Keep in mind that the SMR will require some minor wood inletting to assemble versus the later models like Woodsrunner and Fowler kits. Watch Kibler’s videos before you even begin. AND then watch them again.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Although anything produced can throw out a problem child every now and then, Kibler takes care of those if they pop up better than any small company I know.
The people you have talked with must either be ignorant of available flintlocks on the market and their operation or they have an agenda.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

I have built 3 Kibler's, a colonial, an SMR and a Woodsrunner they all performed great! The SMR lock was really fast using the set triggers.
Also in building my latest project, a Pecatonica Abraham Sweitzer rifle I managed to mess up the lock trying to get the set triggers to work well, Jim repaired it without charging me!

 

[BobELee]

Kibler locks and kits are the best out there. I don't have the skill will or time to build from scratch. I can finish a Kibler kit in a week or so, working a few hours a night. In the end I have a gun that is better than many "customs" that cost twice as much. I have a couple other kits from MBS and Sitting Fox and they require a lot more time and they allow the builder to make many more mistakes. Other kits are fine but Kiblers take the guesswork out the equation.

 

[olskool]

I have just completed my 19th Kibler, the locks are as good or better than chambers or any other. the kits overall are the best money can buy. what else do you want to know,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[geb324]

Excellent locks very fast and dependable!!

 

[mike54]

I built a smr 45 2 years ago and have owned and shot customs and over the counter as well. The custom was a caplock that i competed with 30 yrs ago and if there were locks as reliable and as fast as the smr lock i would have shot a flinter. This things like shooting a caplock with its speed and i have shot approx. 1500rds through it without a problem. It is a mechanical part and things do happen and Kibler customer service is top notch in my book. I'm a shooter and hunter and i'll put this rifle beside any and it will hold its own. The stock, lock, barrel and trigger are all as good as your going to get. All i can say is put one together and see for yourself.

 

[Bucolic Buffalo]

If one has a problem, it is always best to call Kibler Longrifles. One should also have done all they can to learn what they need to know. Jim's videos are great. Learning may resolve many possible issues.