Kibler Kit help

[Rangefogger]

Would anyone who has built a Kibler rifle kit please chime in here? Is there anything that I need beyond this list of tools to complete my southern mountain rifle kit?

 

[Winchester97]

Nope, that about does it. Snap's together like Lego's.

 

[Rangefogger]

Nope, that about does it. Snap's together like Lego's.

That’s what I like to hear. How about the single cut mill file for draw filing the barrel? Will a bastard single cut work or is it too coarse?

 

[Winchester97]

Might be too coarse, mine was a fine mill file, it came out smooth enough that I spent minimal time with sand paper, and burgundy scotch-brite for a nice finish. This was the #1 task I was nervous about, but ended up being very simple. I would just watch Jim's youtube video, then follow what he did.

 

[Rangefogger]

Might be too coarse, mine was a fine mill file, it came out smooth enough that I spent minimal time with sand paper, and burgundy scotch-brite for a nice finish. This was the #1 task I was nervous about, but ended up being very simple. I would just watch Jim's youtube video, then follow what he did.

Will do
what grit sand paper did you use to finish the barrel?

 

[Winchester97]

I used the mill file, then 120, 220, and finished with the burgundy scotch-brite. Unless you were wanting to blue it, I don't think you would want to go any finer. This was perfect for a browned, or in-the-white finish. I used Historic house parts brass black on my metal, looks pretty nice

 

[Dwight Rutherford]

I’d add a small triangular file with a (safe) smooth side to use on the sight dovetails.

 

[Rangefogger]

I used the mill file, then 120, 220, and finished with the burgundy scotch-brite. Unless you were wanting to blue it, I don't think you would want to go any finer. This was perfect for a browned, or in-the-white finish. I used Historic house parts brass black on my metal, looks pretty nice

I might try the brass black too, thanks for the info!

 

[Siringo]

That’s what I like to hear. How about the single cut mill file for draw filing the barrel? Will a bastard single cut work or is it too coarse?

Mill file. Actually the new barrels require very little if any draw filing. My first one two years ago required much more. I believe it was a Rice barrel.

 

[oldhunter1954]

I built the Kibler Colonial in 54 cal a few months ago. First time builder. I bought a small triangle file for the dove tails on the sites. Other than that only sand paper, his nitric acid and his barrel brown solution. His inletting of the stock was flawless!

 

[Nameless Hunter]

The in-letting on my Colonial was very good - but not flawless.
The lock mounting bolts lined up perfectly with the holes drilled through the stock, but there was over a 1/32" gap behind the barrel and behind the tang. Filled in with some wood putty. Maybe somebody didn't get the stock correctly mounted in the machining fixture for that procedure. Still have a ways to go in my finishing effort - hope the putty stains OK. On the plus side, some of the processes detailed in the Kibler assembly videos are now completed before the kit ships. Overall, still very pleased with the kit.

 

[BadDaditood]

The in-letting on my Colonial was very good - but not flawless.
The lock mounting bolts lined up perfectly with the holes drilled through the stock, but there was over a 1/32" gap behind the barrel and behind the tang. Filled in with some wood putty. Maybe somebody didn't get the stock correctly mounted in the machining fixture for that procedure. Still have a ways to go in my finishing effort - hope the putty stains OK. On the plus side, some of the processes detailed in the Kibler assembly videos are now completed before the kit ships. Overall, still very pleased with the kit.

If I’m not mistaken, somewhere along the line he mentions squaring off the breechplug/ tang inlet. It comes kinda rounded.

 

[Nameless Hunter]

If I’m not mistaken, somewhere along the line he mentions squaring off the breechplug/ tang inlet. It comes kinda rounded.

Mine did not come "rounded". The procedure mentioned in the videos refers to fitting the barrel by removing material (wood) with a chisel, etc. until everything lines up correctly. I had to add material to fill in gaps behind the tang and behind the breech plug. As I said, the mounting bolts for the lock lined up perfectly (including though the bolt hole in the barrel), indicating the positioning of the barrel cutout to the lock cutout was correct.

 

[BadDaditood]

Mine did not come "rounded". The procedure mentioned in the videos refers to fitting the barrel by removing material (wood) with a chisel, etc. until everything lines up correctly. I had to add material to fill in gaps behind the tang and behind the breech plug. As I said, the mounting bolts for the lock lined up perfectly (including though the bolt hole in the barrel), indicating the positioning of the barrel cutout to the lock cutout was correct.

Ahh. I see. Both mine fit great, I have a third I haven’t started on, maybe it will be like yours...

 

[Nameless Hunter]

Ahh. I see. Both mine fit great, I have a third I haven’t started on, maybe it will be like yours...

Was it perfect? No.
Am I happy with the kit? Absolutely. CNC machining doesn't guarantee perfection every time. If it's close enough then move on...

 

[stewart.leach]

Would anyone who has built a Kibler rifle kit please chime in here? Is there anything that I need beyond this list of tools to complete my southern mountain rifle kit?

Recommend you get a small set of gunsmith screwdrivers in order to avoid buggering screw slots. Also, run all bolts into their holes a few time with finger pressure before attaching parts to stock, and lubricate wood screw threads with beeswax or soap before installing.

 

[Siringo]

Recommend you get a small set of gunsmith screwdrivers in order to avoid buggering screw slots. Also, run all bolts into their holes a few time with finger pressure before attaching parts to stock, and lubricate wood screw threads with beeswax or soap before installing.

When viewing Kibler's videos, I notice that the screw drivers he uses are hardware store variety. With the exception of the lock bolts, the butt plate screws are standard unplated wood screws, which have a wedge fit slot. When I assemble mine, I use another set from the hardware store that i don't care if i bugger up.

 

[Henry Miles]

Always use hollow ground screwdrivers that fit the screw head on gun screws. A full set of inserts from Brownell's is priceless.

 

[oncewas]

Chapman Mfg makes very nice sets of gunsmithing screwdrivers also.

 

[ord sgt]

Always use a good set of hollow ground turn screws when working on firearms. Butchered screw slots are the telltale sign of a rookie.