Kibler SMR Arrived Today

[Crew Chief]

My Kibler SMR in .36 caliber arrived in today's mail. Sheila, my rural mail carrier said that I owe her big time because the crate was so long she had to stick it out the back window of her Toyota Tacoma. This lets dust come in the cab going down the gravel roads. Unfortunately I can't start on it until next week when all the family is gone and I get my work table set up with a vise. I don't want to work on the steel table that I weld on.

By the way, the kit came in way ahead of schedule. I placed the order on Saturday, March 26th and it arrived today April 14. That is about 2 1/2 weeks. I asked Ms Kris at Kiblers if they made a mistake. She said no but it may be that someone ordered one without paying up front and then backed out. Mine is standard maple with no frills so that may be the reason. A friend of mine has been waiting since January and was told that since he ordered extra fancy wood with an extra barrel, it would take longer. He was told that extra fancy wood is hard to find right now. I am perfectly happy with plain wood because I shoot my guns and not worry about hurting a $200-$300 stock.

Before anyone gets their feelings hurt, that last statement does not mean I don't like pretty wood or hold anything against someone that likes to pay more for pretty wood. Like we used to say in Nam, "What ever makes your tailrotor spin."

 

[woodsnwater]

Just got my standard maple gun too, in just under a month.

 

[Fly Navy]

My SMR arrived today also. I ordered mine in 40 cal with extra fancy maple, and it took right around 10 weeks. And yes it was worth the wait. The wood is beautiful and more than worth the cost.

 

[OkieDougie]

My SMR arrived today also. I ordered mine in 40 cal with extra fancy maple, and it took right around 10 weeks. And yes it was worth the wait. The wood is beautiful and more than worth the cost.

Nice, have the same exact one on order myself. Almost 5 weeks ago... so maybe only 5 more weeks.

 

[longcruise]

Before anyone gets their feelings hurt, that last statement does not mean I don't like pretty wood or hold anything against someone that likes to pay more for pretty wood. Like we used to say in Nam, "What ever makes your tailrotor spin."

I'm the same when it comes to the wood. If I ever get to feeling the urge to order and can afford it at the same time, I'm going with cherry.

 

[Crew Chief]

Just got my standard maple gun too, in just under a month.

I put a little water on my stock yesterday and was surprised at the nice figuring pattern in the wood. I am happy with the wood. Now it is up to me to make it shine.

By the way, I like you hotrod pickup. I am working on a 30 Ford Coupe along with many other projects around here.

 

[Tradbow]

Received my 32 caliber SMR just about an hour ago.

 

[Jetmech]

As your kits progress please post pics. I have a .45 SMR on order, pics of completed rifles will help me with the waiting.

 

[JonBishop]

I have a .50 colonial with plain maple and after I finished it, I think it was better than plain. Jim might grade his stocks too low.

Jon

 

[Flint n Steel]

I have a .50 colonial with plain maple and after I finished it, I think it was better than plain. Jim might grade his stocks too low.

JonView attachment 134497View attachment 134498View attachment 134499

What finish technique did you use? It sure is a looker!

 

[JonBishop]

Hi, Flint n Steel. Thanks for the compliment. I did an iron nitrate application twice. Heated to orange-red with a heat gun. Then I finished with 100% pure tung oil. Two coats. About two weeks dry time from first to second coat. Then I waited until I thought it was ready and buffed it down with an old tee shirt. Then I put a coat of stock sheen on and buffed with an old tee shirt. That’s all I did to this stock. The stock was sanded to 360 grit to start. I think. I might have taken it to 400 grit. But no higher than that. Time will tell if it holds up. There are 1,000 ways to finish a stock though.

Jon

 

[Flint n Steel]

Thank you so much for the detailed response. I think that I might go your method.

Thx!

 

[ShootistJack]

JonBishop's pictures look GREAT !

 

[Tenring]

Does the Southern Mountain Rifle come with a Toe Plate. And if I send Kibler a piece of wood of my own choosing will he use it??

 

[Flint n Steel]

Yes and yes, provided the wood is adequate dimensions.

 

[Tenring]

Right On, Thanks for the reply, will give them a call in the morning to pow wow a little I have a piece of Black Walnut 3.5” x 7 3/4 x 72” or I should say my cousin does and I hope his measurements are right he willing to trade for an old snow blower.

 

[Flint n Steel]

Lorie is a sweetheart. She loves her job and you can hear it through the phone.

 

[garypl]

Does the Southern Mountain Rifle come with a Toe Plate. And if I send Kibler a piece of wood of my own choosing will he use it??

My SMR kit did not include a toe plate and it is not listed as part of the kit. I made one out of a sheet of 16 ga steel.

 

[Crew Chief]

My Kibler SMR in .36 caliber arrived in today's mail. Sheila, my rural mail carrier said that I owe her big time because the crate was so long she had to stick it out the back window of her Toyota Tacoma. This lets dust come in the cab going down the gravel roads. Unfortunately I can't start on it until next week when all the family is gone and I get my work table set up with a vise. I don't want to work on the steel table that I weld on.
View attachment 134015

By the way, the kit came in way ahead of schedule. I placed the order on Saturday, March 26th and it arrived today April 14. That is about 2 1/2 weeks. I asked Ms Kris at Kiblers if they made a mistake. She said no but it may be that someone ordered one without paying up front and then backed out. Mine is standard maple with no frills so that may be the reason. A friend of mine has been waiting since January and was told that since he ordered extra fancy wood with an extra barrel, it would take longer. He was told that extra fancy wood is hard to find right now. I am perfectly happy with plain wood because I shoot my guns and not worry about hurting a $200-$300 stock.

Before anyone gets their feelings hurt, that last statement does not mean I don't like pretty wood or hold anything against someone that likes to pay more for pretty wood. Like we used to say in Nam, "What ever makes your tailrotor spin."

Just finished with fire bluing the hardware. Turned out pretty nice. The trigger plate did not want to take a deep color but it is close enough.

The barrel, I took a different route. I didn't have any JAX brass, copper blackener like Jim Kibler uses. I had 2 oz. of JAX iron, steel blackener so I used that. I used the Kibler technique of using Scotch brite pad. Unfortunately it kept the solution from staying solid black because of the abrasive texture. I washed the barrel and coated it with Corrosion X. It turned darker but it was still too light and streaky. I tried 2 more times to darken it each time washing the barrel with a degreaser and acetone to make sure all the oil was removed. I still had some light areas but it shows nice patina. The edges of the flats on the barrel show light wear like it had been put in a and pulled out of a scabbard through the years. The barrel has a lighter color than the hardware. I may take some 0000 steel wool and some light oil and lighten up the hardware. It seems like there are different alloys in the hardware and the breech plug because the colors are slightly different even though the process was consistent. My advice if you plan to use the JAX solution is to buy the pint and not the 2 oz. bottle. I barely finished the barrel with 2 oz. The Scotch brite and steel wool absorbs a lot and I found myself squeezing it out to have enough to finish the barrel. The JAX iron & steel solution worked pretty good but if you are not sure about using it, I would recommend using the JAX brass & copper solution. Maybe it works better. The chemical make up is slightly different and you may get a darker color on your barrel. Good luck. Now on to sanding on the stock.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Yes and yes, provided the wood is adequate dimensions.

The SMR does not come with a ToePlate…easy enough to add, but not part of the kit.