Jaeger Kit for New Builder?

[HarryBalls]

Hey there everyone,

New here—I got into black powder a few years ago and have been shooting a Pedersoli Frontier and a pre-owned smooth bore pistol I picked up in a shop. Recently I have become interested in building my own guns. I have no building experience, but am willing to learn and fairly confident I can figure it out. My ultimate goal is to build a Ferguson rifle from the TRS kit, but I think I’d maybe like to start with something a little simpler…Lately I’ve been thinking I’d like my first build to be a Jaeger, so I’m looking for advice on which kit to start with as a first timer. I think I’d prefer to do something a bit nicer than Traditions/Pedersoli/DGW…I’m curious about TOTW and Sitting Fox, but would love hear others’ recommendations and experiences.

I also plan to pick up a book or two on building. Looking at Shumway’s book on Jaegers and “Recreating the American Longrifle.” If anyone has other recommendations based on my stated goals I’d be happy to hear them. I apologize if this has been covered before, I searched and didn’t see any threads that were quite what I was looking for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rchas]

I finished a jaeger in cherry a few months ago, although not from a kit. The books you mention are excellent, and I also recommend TOTW's full size plan. "Recreating the American Longrifle" has had a place on my bench for 30 years, and I constantly reference it. The plan helped with proportions and overall architecture., and Shumways jaeger book helped with fine details.

As for kits--The parts all come from the same manufacturers. You might do better price-wise by mixing and matching from different websites. The upside of a kit with a pre-carved stock is that the hard part of getting the architecture mostly correct is done for you. The downside is that you are locked into how the stock is carved--no changes to things like length of pull, pitch, or depth of heel/comb.

 

[Norman Brooks]

Can't go wrong with a Kibler for a first build. TOTW does not have the Jaeger listed anymore, and a lot of parts are on back order (still waiting on a patch box I ordered March 2020). Not for sure about Sitting Fox, you could call and ask them

 

[martin9]

Pecatonica River and Muzzleloaders builders supply have Jaeger stocks and parts.

 

[HarryBalls]

Anyone have experience with the kit from RE Davis? RE Davis Company | "Jaeger" Rifle Kit

I haven’t seen any builds of this kit but people seem to speak favorably of the locks by Davis at least.

 

[GoodRabbitPilgrim]

Only on this forum could someone ask about a jager and get suggested a kibler.

I'd love a jaeger so will be curious to see what comes up.

 

[Norman Brooks]

Anyone have experience with the kit from RE Davis? RE Davis Company | "Jaeger" Rifle Kit

I haven’t seen any builds of this kit but people seem to speak favorably of the locks by Davis at least.

I would not recommend this as a first build. If butt plate is not pre inlet the asymmetric style is a pain in the rear to get perfect w/o having big gaps. The TOTW Jaeger that I assembled had a splinter of wood missing and I had to braze up the brass butt plate and reshape it to fit the pre-carved area... Somebody else may have built a Davis and can provide some insight...

 

[EC121]

Davis has been bought out by The Log Cabin Shop. That kit may not be available.

 

[excess650]

If you call the R E Davis phone number, the phone will be answered "Log Cabin Shop". I believe the website is up to date, and I've called and ordered using the R E Davis part numbers and got the website prices.

Another option would be from Wayne Dunlap
http://dunlapwoodcrafts.com/component-sets

 

[FlinterNick]

Jaegers are a tough build, watched my friend build one. It really depends on your attention yo detail, a lesser detailed jaeger tends to look like a military arm.

 

[HarryBalls]

That Dunlap kit looks nice, awful pricey but nice. Has the look I think I'm after.

So gents, I have a woodworker friend who is confident he could help me cut a stock from a blank piece of wood…if you were to do that, where would you get parts from? Lock? Barrel? I was looking at a 31” swamped Rice barrel and either a chamber or Davis German lock if I went this route. I’d still need all the hardware though.

 

[stank]

That Dunlap kit looks nice, awful pricey but nice. Has the look I think I'm after.

So gents, I have a woodworker friend who is confident he could help me cut a stock from a blank piece of wood…if you were to do that, where would you get parts from? Lock? Barrel? I was looking at a 31” swamped Rice barrel and either a chamber or Davis German lock if I went this route. I’d still need all the hardware though.

Just a couple months ago I bought Jager parts from muzzleloader builders supply. No problems and fast shipping

 

[HarryBalls]

Any opinions on the Chambers vs RE Davis lock?

 

[Norman Brooks]

Any opinions on the Chambers vs RE Davis lock?

Chambers over Davis...