I have a woodsrunner and a colonial. Locks function perfect.
Honest opinions on Kibler rifles
- Thread starter David LaPell
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Siringo
32 Cal.
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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.
58 Cal.
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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.
The people you have talked with must either be ignorant of available flintlocks on the market and their operation or they have an agenda.
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!
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!
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.
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,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Excellent locks very fast and dependable!!
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.
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.
GANGGREEN
45 Cal.
Yeah, I'm far from an expert (I've been messing with flintlocks for 40+ years, have built 6 or 7 of them and have a few custom guns built by other builders), but you're not going to have any issues with a Kibler lock. I have an early SMR, which I THINK has a Chambers lock, but I also have purchased one of the newer SMR locks for an upcoming build and it's an awesome little lock and I'm guessing it's going to be SO quick. I've also seen a few of the round-faced Kibler locks on others guys' guns and they look just as nice. I don't need any more rifles or fowlers, I just don't, but I think when I've got a few coins in the piggy bank that I'm likely to add a Woodsrunner and either another SMR or a fowler from Kibler.
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Need any more reassurance? If so, I can add on. You can't get a finer rifle for the cash in either built form or a kit form. Not even a close second. Now, if only Jim would start giving them away 
I have built and assembled rifles, shotguns and pistols for 49 years and I would recommend a Kibler product to anyone looking for the best value and quality in muzzleloader. As a bonus to their product quality, the customer service is THE best in any retail ordering business.
The namesake of the company ( Jim Kibler) will pickup his phone and politely answer any questions one may have as well. Where is that happening in a busy manufacturing environment?
Proud to be a Kibler customer!
Do you mind telling us what issues the few people you talked to had with their Kibler locks? I believe someone posted here about a frizzen that broke (and quickly replaced), but is really the only issue I remember hearing about on this forum or anywhere else for that matter.
From what I have seen, with proper maintenance (cleaning and lubrication), a Kibler lock should last for a lifetime of shooting and beyond.
Best locks out there, and in the event that there is a problem Jim and Co. will make it right immediately.
