Kibler SMR length issue

[CyrusP]

Mine is a 46” for certain. Earlier barrels were 46” and later 44” if I am not mistaken.

 

[Eric Krewson]

My early SMR kit had a 46" barrel.

 

[M. De Land]

Dear Abbey. I bought a Kibler SMR kit about 2 years ago. .45 cal walnut stock. The kit is superb. Jim and his team are great people. I started it right away but put it aside without metal and wood finish. I’m about to start it again. I realize why I never finished it. The length has always been an issue for me. I like shorter barrels. This 46” barrel length is legitimately keeping me from seeing this as a rifle I want to grow old(er) with. Something @hanshi said in a different thread about barrel shortening struck home for me. Paraphrasing, he said “do what you must to bond with the rifle.” I agree. Do I shorten it by 6, 8 or even 10” or do I move it along to someone else and get what I really want? If I do shorten it, do I relocate the front ramrod thimble or try it as is and see if it looks ok? Thanks in advance.

Signed,

Conflicted.

I built a TOTW SMR two years ago and went with a straight Oct .45 cal Green Mtn, barrel at 36 inches. and 13/16s diameter. Looks, shoots and feels great in the hand. As we get older we weaken in arm and eye strength and tend to change focal length so the rear sight keeps having to be moved forward so we might as well build a rifle around those realities from the get go.
I'd finish it and let her go down the road to a young person then build what will suit you!
The trouble with cutting down a longer barrel gun is usually they are either swamped or larger across flats than what a shorter gun would look ballanced with. Then too moving the thimbles and sights are troublesome as well and it will always look like a cut down rifle to the trained eye.

 

[nhmoose]

Buy a cap or cover and carry it in a case in the bed

 

[waksupi]

I would not shorten a swamped barrel. Trade it off, and get what you need.

 

[Redlemur60]

Sometimes,size does matter!

 

[Bob McBride]

My Kibler SMR .45 is a 44" green mountain barrel. Is yours really a 46"?

The early ones were.

There's really no way to shorten the barrel as cutting off at the breach is the only way to do it considering the flare. I'd finish it and pass it along.

 

[CyrusP]

Thanks. I’m keeping her as she is. Thanks to all who talked me out of my hare-brained idea. I’ll have her finished any time now.

 

[Redlemur60]

Try it, you may change your mind?kibler smr in 45 with the "new barrels 44" are bad a__z accurite!
The rear site is very forward.
I dont think the 46 is going to be less accurite.And im old and blind too!

 

[Redlemur60]

Keep in mind, 5’ 7” was about average during the old days and guys shot long barrels plenty! I agree totally, and am also that height.

5'6" and shrinking! GET A STOOL
i would not ruin that barrel.

 

[hanshi]

Again, finish it, shoot it for a few weeks/months and then decide.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

My Kibler SMR is light and easy to handle. The long thin barrel shouldn't be a weight issue for anyone. It's probably more a matter of getting used to loading it and keeping it from bumping into things all the time. It's definitely not what I'd call a truck gun though. It's hard to find a place for it. I don't have any plans to sell it though since it's so nice to shoot.

 

[CyrusP]

Thank you all for talking common sense into me! See my new thread “finally finished Kibler.....”

 

[david w]

My Kibler SMR .45 is a 44" green mountain barrel. Is yours really a 46"?

My SMR with a Rice barrel is 46".

 

[Fly Navy]

My SMR in 40 cal weights 7 pounds even. It has perfect balance and to shorten the barrel would ruin that.

 

[Redlemur60]

My SMR in 40 cal weights 7 pounds even. It has perfect balance and to shorten the barrel would ruin that.

Not to mention the twist

 

[olskool]

when i was young, in my 20s, i wanted everything long, pistols, rifles, everything. then when i got older i disliked long barrels. i found you tote one more than you shoot one while hunting. but then after a while longer barreled rifles in muzzleloaders grew on me. 42 in. is about my limit though, 44in. would be a real pain to carry in a small truck if not imposable! and in the thick woods of SC where i am would be aggravating! that is one reason i have had 2 Jaegers. they are short and handy, and a joy to point and hunt with, but i would finish the gun or sell it as is.

 

[CyrusP]

I will say I am enjoying it, but if it was 40” or 42” instead of 46” I’d be ok with that.

 

[user 34300]

I have one that is 46" and two that are 44". I am 5'10" tall. The longer one is awkward to load. When loaded with the barrel vertical it is a bit to high for me. I could load it with the barrel at and angle to the ground of course. Except I can not at my club shoots, they make you use a bench to load. At another range I use the floor is concrete. Loading at an angle is not practical. I use tighter combinations that are not conducive to poorly supporting the rifle anyway. The 44" barrel version is much better for me in that respect. The length is not awkward for loading. Given a choice I would have ordered a 40" or 42" barrel.

 

[CyrusP]

I have one that is 46" and two that are 44". I am 5'10" tall. The longer one is awkward to load. When loaded with the barrel vertical it is a bit to high for me. I could load it with the barrel at and angle to the ground of course. Except I can not at my club shoots, they make you use a bench to load. At another range I use the floor is concrete. Loading at an angle is not practical. I use tighter combinations that are not conducive to poorly supporting the rifle anyway. The 44" barrel version is much better for me in that respect. The length is not awkward for loading. Given a choice I would have ordered a 40" or 42" barrel.

Completely agree with you for the exact reasons stated. We just put a roof on our firing line and it’s doable but tight.