I've been looking for a rifle....

[Easternhunter]

So it's been suggested that I look again at such suppliers as TVM and see about getting a rifle in the "white" since I haven't built any guns yet, it may be better for the pro's to do all the hard work and pay slightly more initially, rather than do the kits and possibly screw it up. (I'm fairly handy, but a metal smith I ain't). I originally thought man! that's alot of money over there, why not save a couple hundred and do a good kit. But after thinking about it, I'm paying abit more for someone else to do the hard stuff, which makes perfect sense. There's always time to pick up a kit later on.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I have done it both ways, gotten the kit and in the white. Many times with a kit, you can select to have a few more things done so you can be between the blank kit and in the white. It all depends on your comfort level. Look also at Sitting fox kits. For a price they will do extras for you such as soldering on the lugs, inletting the lock, fitting the breech plug, drilling and tapping the touchhole (flinter), etc.
They will give you a lot of advice and answer all questions. After all, they really want you to succeed so you come back for more and bring friends. :thumbsup:

 

[Easternhunter]

I thionk I saw that website...Musat look again. Thanks

 

[renovato]

You don't generally save much with a kit anyway, by the time you buy tools that you might not have, send out for work that you know you aren't up to, etc. The big plus to a kit is the satisfaction of having built it yourself.

 

[paulvallandigham]

May I suggest you contact Tip Curtiss, at his shop in Cross Plains, Tennessee 37042, phone: 615-654-4445. about guns in the white? He carries a huge stock of guns in various stages of completion, and has generally good prices. You can decide then whether you want to finish the gun, or hire someone to some or all the finish work.

I can do the light inletting work, and the stock sanding and finishing work on my guns, and I have learned how to do the metal finishing. I am working on learning to do more of the builder's work as I go along, demanding more and more of myself, and hiring less done. That method seems to have worked for me in the past, and it seems to be working as I get further into this stuff.

If you decide to buy tools, and do some of the work yourself, Buy the tools AS YOU NEED THEM, and DON'T go out a buy a lot of tools YOU THINK YOU MIGHT NEED. The hardware stores love to see buyers come in with that kind of thinking, and its a great way to spend money on tools you will NEVER USE! BTDT! And, when you do buy tools buy the very best ones you can afford to buy. In general, stay away from tools made in China, or other foreign countries. They usually don't hold up, or are made to the same strict tolerances you find in American Made tools.

 

[horsetrader]

I almost agree- don't buy tools made in china....
Buy american made! But if it comes to carving tools ( chisels) I love the swiss and german ones....

 

[Easternhunter]

paulvallandigham, you describe precisely where I am right now. Get my hands on one that someone has built for me first....gotta disassemble anyways to finish proper. See how it's done learn abit as I go. Yes, I agree that built-by-me all the way is nice, but I'm not afraid to admit if I'm not ready to try something, especially if it may cost me the price of a kit.
MAybe white guns first - then progress upward to fully self-built...I like your thinking.
I've heard of Tip Curtis before.....He must be pretty good huh?

 

[tnlonghunter]

I've heard of Tip Curtis before.....He must be pretty good huh?

Tip's Place is great. I haven't been able to buy anything from him yet, but I've visited the shop and been able to handle and browse his guns. They're first rate and he's a great guy. I'd highly recommend going that way. In fact, I think I'm gonna make another stop soon, as it's on the way to my family's place in Nashville.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have been to Tip's booth at Friendship many times, and have talked to him a few times. I am LHed, so he rarely has anything in stock that interests me, but tells me he has a few rifles at this store. I have not been down there, but its certainly on one of my To Do things lists. He is a fine man, both talking to him, and listening to him help other buyers with their purchases. You can tell within a few minutes of listening to a man deal with a customer whether he knows what he is talking about, and whether he is just hustling the guy. Tip doesn't have to hustle anyone. I don't think he has that in him. His guns sell themselves, and if he doesn't have exactly what you want, tell him, and he can probably have it for you in a couple of weeks.

Give him a call. :thumbsup:

 

[mazo kid]

Another great source is the good ol' Classified Ads right here on the forum. Many offerings are new/near new and prices are sometimes less than kit or in-the-white guns for a finished rifle. Emery

 

[jmforge]

Some high quality tools are outsourced because the cost of making them in the US would be prohibitive, BUT they are NOT cheapo Chinese junk. I bought #49 and #50 Nicholson pattern/cabinet makers files which IIRC, are still pretty much hand made, but in Brazil. Excellent tools, but even with the nominally lower Brazilian labor costs, they are still close to $50 apiece!!! :shocked2: With that said, after going through 4 cheapo Chinese digital calipers in two years, I am getting to the point where I have spent almost as much money as I would have for the uber-expensive version from Starrett!!!

 

[Easternhunter]

I have been to Tip's booth at Friendship many times, and have talked to him a few times. I am LHed, so he rarely has anything in stock that interests me, but tells me he has a few rifles at this store. I have not been down there, but its certainly on one of my To Do things lists. He is a fine man, both talking to him, and listening to him help other buyers with their purchases. You can tell within a few minutes of listening to a man deal with a customer whether he knows what he is talking about, and whether he is just hustling the guy. Tip doesn't have to hustle anyone. I don't think he has that in him. His guns sell themselves, and if he doesn't have exactly what you want, tell him, and he can probably have it for you in a couple of weeks.

Give him a call. :thumbsup:

Yup, I talked to Mr. Curtis today, and yes he seems to be very knowledgable. I don't think he'll lead me on cuz once he learned that want to hunt with this rifle, when I asked about a patchbox, he told right quick I didn't need a such a thing. Just something to pop open at the wrong time or loose the sliding wood lid, he said...So there ya go. Gave me a reasonable price on a Lancaster too. I'm working on it....

 

[paulvallandigham]

Isn't this process fun??? :thumbsup: :wink: :hatsoff:

 

[Easternhunter]

Well sorta....The bright side is...look at all the stuff I'm learning! May serve no useful purpose (TO OTHERS) but it keeps me sane from anotherwise mundane world. How about that!

 

[paulvallandigham]

And you are meeting a lot of nice people, who tell you the truth-- not bad for a faceless form of communication! :thumbsup:

 

[Easternhunter]

True enough - true enough.

 

[Borego]

You are inspiring me to add a flintlock to my blackpowder collection. Let me know how things are working for you.
Borego

 

[Easternhunter]

You are inspiring me to add a flintlock to my blackpowder collection. Let me know how things are working for you.
Borego

I surely will. I'm not one to rush a decision, once my mind is set on something, my choice will be an informed one. If that's any help to anyone, even better.

 

[Birddog6]

I have known Tip for years & no telling how many barrel & stocks & locks I have bought from him.

I was just there Monday, have been there dozens of times & it still took me 2 hrs to get out of there ! :rotf: Man......... what a smorgasborg of parts that guy has.... If he don't have it, you probably don't need it.......

He had ? probably 75 built rifles on hand, some finished & some In-the-White.

One rifle he had I picked up that was real nice was a big bore Lancaster in .58 caliber, Chambers Siler on it. Man it was a nice rifle & a super piece of wood on it, sliding wooden patchbox on it.

I don't know anyplace that has such a variety of built rifles you can pick up & shoulder, like Tip has there.

If you are ever within a days drive of Nashville TN, it is well worth a drive to Tips. But have some extra time, as you won't be in & out, you will be there 2-3-4 hrs & then you won't want to leave !! :grin:

:thumbsup:

 

[Mike Brooks]

I surely will. I'm not one to rush a decision, once my mind is set on something, my choice will be an informed one. If that's any help to anyone, even better.

Well then. Let me suggest you look at a custom gun by a good known builder and your investment will retain it's value and most likely increase. You can get into a good custom gun for $2000 give or take. Lots of good custom builders out there.