Kibler colonial kit

[jd945043]

Are all Kibler kits able to be assembled by a Neophyte or does the Colonial kit at a higher skills level. I have many flintlock rifles but I only built one as a teenager.CVA Kentucky rifle was what I built. Is a colonial kit from Kibler monumentally harder to put together

 

[BillyC]

I just assembled a SMR as my first ever muzzle loader. After watching all of Jim’s videos I will say if you can cleanup an inlet, fit a butt plate and file and polish I can’t see how any of his kits would be harder than any other. It might take more time to polish all that brass but I can’t see it being “monumentally” more difficult.

 

[Bnewberry]

Define neophte a bit more. If you have patience and some basic tools anyKibler kit is going to be doable by someone who has assembled any other kit.

Based on what I have seen in Colonial assembly videos, and having assembled my own Woodsrunner I would say that the Woodsrunner is a bit easier than the Colonial. Jim has improved his compani’s CNC programming so the stock needs even less work than prior kits. Also, the buttplate is CNCed eliminating the variability between each so there is less fitting needed there.

I honestly don’t think a kit can get much easier than the Woodsrunner.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
No, Jim's Colonial rifle is a piece of cake to assemble. I assembled one that would have been ready for sanding and finish without any additional carving and decoration in less than 5 hours. All that was really required was to clean up any rounded corners in the mortises with a small flat chisel. Here is a thread documenting my assembly and decoration of a Kibler colonial rifle.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/kibler-kit-assembly-and-carving.133549/
dave

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

Just finished a colonial a couple weeks ago. Hand down the easiest most refined kit I've ever done. If you watch the vids he mentions making some changes to the kits to make them easier to complete. They have since made those changes and the amount of inletting clean up is less than what he has to do in the video. Highly recommend.

 

[Daveboone]

I built one last winter, my first rifle kit, but I am quite familiar with the more common ones (traditions, CVA, T/C). Watch Jims very good videos, and there are many other indepdendent videos on builiding his kits. All difficult stuff is done, but have patience, as final fitting is needed to do a quality job. Decent files and chisels are a great advantage, and I was very glad to invest in an appropriate vice (but a Black and Decker Workmate will suffice). Just dont work on it when you are tired or frustrated.

 

[lt508th]

The Kibler kits are a pretty easy build if you have a few basic hand tools, some patience and also watch Jim's YouTube video series on how to build your new kit. Jim makes it very easy to succeed!

 

[Uncle Miltie]

Just finished a colonial a couple weeks ago. Hand down the easiest most refined kit I've ever done. If you watch the vids he mentions making some changes to the kits to make them easier to complete. They have since made those changes and the amount of inletting clean up is less than what he has to do in the video. Highly recommend.

Your rifle is rare: no patchbox.

 

[Art Caputo]

Are all Kibler kits able to be assembled by a Neophyte or does the Colonial kit at a higher skills level. I have many flintlock rifles but I only built one as a teenager.CVA Kentucky rifle was what I built. Is a colonial kit from Kibler monumentally harder to put together

I have built both(also the CVA Kentucky(+40 years ago). The Colonial was MUCH easier! Far less wood to remove! and better fitment! IMO.

 

[Phil Coffins]

If you can assemble a CVA then a Kibler will make you feel like a master gunsmith!

 

[longcruise]

What does a colonial in 58 weigh in at. I'm torn between the WR in 54 and the Colonial in 58.

 

[Freedom]

There's a flint, flattened ball, ball puller, and a chunk of bees wax in the patch box.

 

[longcruise]

@freedom475 Thanks, that's about as exact as it gets.

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

@freedom475 Thanks, that's about as exact as it gets.

If I may. One thing I would add about the weight is the balance. The swaged barrel puts the center of balance just forward of the trigger. Despite the length they are not barrel heavy at all and point as natural as can be.

 

[Zutt-man]

What does a colonial in 58 weigh in at. I'm torn between the WR in 54 and the Colonial in 58.

I have two .58’s: One smooth and one rifled. Both come in at 8.8 lbs in extra fancy maple. Cleaning supplies in patch boxes

 

[Art Caputo]

What does a colonial in 58 weigh in at. I'm torn between the WR in 54 and the Colonial in 58.

My Colonial in 58 cal. with a fancy grade maple stock weighs 8.1 pounds.

 

[Bushfire]

Someone here made a comment once that you shake the box and it'll put itself together. I got a good chuckle from that.

 

[Winchester97]

I did an SMR, and a colonial. I enjoyed both from start to finish. A few years ago, I did a traditions crocket kit. I felt like pulling my hair out several times. There is a huge difference between Kibler's CNC quality and Traditions "close enough" quality. If you could make a CVA kit look presentable, that Kibler will look great. If anything, the colonial took a bit longer just because I spent time getting the casting voids out of the brass.

 

[akroguy]

Kibler's kits are practically "in the white" just waiting for finish. You can take them to a very high degree of ornamentation and finish or just clean up the metals, clean up the inlet corners, sand, stain and go shooting. The components are highest quality, the CNC locks are masterpieces of fit and function.

 

[jd945043]

If you can assemble a CVA then a Kibler will make you feel like a master gunsmith!

Thanks Mr Coffins