Kibler colonial rifle kit.

[atpippin]

Has anyone built one of Jim Kiblers Colonial Rifle kits? I am the about ordering one in 50 caliber.

 

[Dave Marsh]

Yep, I got a 54. Love it. Good luck.

 

[Bob Stager]

I bought a 54 for a winter project but I keep tinker with it and I think it’s going to be done ahead of schedule

 

[Flintandsteel]

The .50 is quite heavy. I’d go with the larger calibers.

 

[Roughneck]

The .50 is quite heavy. I’d go with the larger calibers.

i agree I had one in .50 and it was really heavy. I just put one together in .58 and it is too heavy in my opinion, I also took a lot of wood off. But I prefer lighter rifles so I might be biased

 

[Phil Coffins]

Did one last winter in 54 calibre. It has the chambers lock and I’m told the current lock is better yet. Very easy rifle to assemble.
IMG_0541 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Art Caputo]

I recently built a Kibler Colonial. I have 2 interchangeable barrels for it, a 50 and a 58. I really like the balance and weight(8.5#) of the 58 cal. Both barrels are exceptionally accurate, Jim makes a superb kit!

 

[shane a gress]

Just finished this one a few weeks back. The 50 is the heaviest in the colonial but the balance is awesome. The weight is not a problem for me. The problem I have is the length of pull. It is really long for me to use.

 

[Lampson01]

I just ordered a Kibler Colonial kit in .54. I'm super stoked!

 

[Ferret Master]

I bought one in .54 after trying three of them and I love it. .50,.54, .58 The .50 seemed very heavy for me but the fellow that owns it loves it.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

Just finished this one a few weeks back. The 50 is the heaviest in the colonial but the balance is awesome. The weight is not a problem for me. The problem I have is the length of pull. It is really long for me to use. View attachment 53558

What color and brand of stain did you use? Also, how did you finish your metal parts? Did you leave the lock in the white?

I ask because I've got one on order from Jim, only it's being shipped "in the white." I would love for it to turn out exactly like yours when I finish the barrel and stain the stock. I bought a bottle of stain from Laurel Mountain Forge in Lancaster Maple, but when I tested it on some scrap pieces of molding (probably poplar) it seems much lighter than what I was hoping.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@GAHUNTER60, Did you try only one coat of stain? Often you need several coats of stain to get the desired level of color that you want. This method also allows you to smooth down the whiskers that pop up during stain and to even the color out over the entire gun.

 

[EC121]

I have a .58 and wouldn't it any heavier. Balance is fine, but it feels heavy when handling it.

 

[Ferret Master]

Roofing tar and mineral spirits will give you a dark finish like Art's.

 

[shane a gress]

What color and brand of stain did you use? Also, how did you finish your metal parts? Did you leave the lock in the white?

I ask because I've got one on order from Jim, only it's being shipped "in the white." I would love for it to turn out exactly like yours when I finish the barrel and stain the stock. I bought a bottle of stain from Laurel Mountain Forge in Lancaster Maple, but when I tested it on some scrap pieces of molding (probably poplar) it seems much lighter than what I was hoping.

All the finishing supplies came from Jim's shop. Iron nitrate and his sealer. Sealer was mixed with a bit of bone black in a few areas. All the metal (brass and steel) was wiped with Jim's brass tarnish solution.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Has anyone built one of Jim Kiblers Colonial Rifle kits? I am the about ordering one in 50 caliber.

I'm building a .54 smooth rifle, great kit! I'm trying my hand at carving, first cut is the hardest!
I'm finishing mine with aquafortis and then go over it with a micro torch, done it in the past, gives a beautiful redish brown .

 

[Jim Evans]

Did a .54 with the walnut stock, can't go wrong with a Kibler kit.

 

[Nazgul58]

Got the email today mine has shipped!!
58 Colonial.

Don

 

[oreclan]

I am working on a .58 cal. kit right now. Plan on finishing it in the Christian Springs/ Moravian style.
Just received an Andy Thomas .54 cal. rifle modified from a Kibler kit in to a Virginia style. A handsome rifle, but a bit heavier than the .58.

 

[Art Caputo]

Roofing tar and mineral spirits will give you a dark finish like Art's.

The process was identical to the one outlined in Jim’s video series using both aquafortis and tannic acid to form iron tannate, both chemicals from from Kibler, except, I used TOTW’s Original Oil for the rubbing step, and final finish.