Kibler stocks OK for a lefty?

[SOLANCO]

I am a leftie. In 4th grade we were required to take up use of the fountain pen. After learning to write without smearing wet ink across the newest letters other LH tribulations have proven minor,.

 

[Paul Mazan]

I've been a lefty all my life, and although I can shoot a right-handed gun, I question "WHY?" when there are left-handed guns available.

I got in a ton of trouble and ****** Kibler off trying to get a kit from him without the lock inletted. I ended up getting a left-handed prerevolution flintlock kit from Jebbidia Star. It took four or five weeks to arrive but I am extremely pleased with it. Everything fit as it was supposed to and the .50 cal swamped barrel just doesn't foul. In the past I was lucky to get eight to ten rounds through a barrel before seating the ball became a challenge. I've gone fifteen between cleanings with this barrel and when I got home the first patches came out gray. Currently, I'm waiting on a left-handed stock from Pecatonnica to convert a little half stock .32 cal percussion to a left handed full stock flint. Should make a dandy squirrel rifle.

 

[Kansas Kid]

Get a Jim Chambers LH Issac Haines, best ergonomics of all. Why support Kibler when he doesn’t support left handers.

 

[Paul Mazan]

Get a Jim Chambers LH Issac Haines, best ergonomics of all. Why support Kibler when he doesn’t support left handers.

In Kibler's defense, he has to do what he thinks will get the best return. Much as I wanted to buy from him based on his reputation, a small business like his serving a niche market can't really afford to spend the time developing something that has a limited market. I wasn't willing to buy a right handed rifle and he has to keep his customers happy. I am more than pleased with the Jebbadia Star rifle. I'll look into the Chambers offering next time I'm in the market.

 

[Kansas Kid]

I don’t think you need to defend his choice, all the other companies had the the same choices.

 

[WalnutRed]

My understanding is Kibler uses CNC machinery. As all the unmentionable rifle manufactures found switching from right to left hand actions with CNC is fairly straightforward. However as long as Kibler can match his production capability with the market for right handed products he has no incentive to change the programing. If for whatever reason he finds machines setting idle that may change.

 

[Paul Mazan]

My understanding is Kibler uses CNC machinery. As all the unmentionable rifle manufactures found switching from right to left hand actions with CNC is fairly straightforward. However as long as Kibler can match his production capability with the market for right handed products he has no incentive to change the programing. If for whatever reason he finds machines setting idle that may change.

From my brief conversation with him, he is more likely to produce a Hawken or Brown Bess kit long before he offers anything left-handed. Once again, his planning is driven by what customers ask for and where he sees sales opportunities. Much as I would like to build a Kibler, it appears I will have to patronize his competitors for the foreseeable future.

 

[atvguns]

Here is what Jim has to say about building left handed kits

 

[jdw276]

Gee, chambers and l&r can make lefty locks and have for years. May be correct that we are 13% of the population but maybe we are 40% of the shooters. We are the ones right minded. We just use our left side more.

 

[Paul Mazan]

As I point out to my right handed friends, we stand on the right side of the gun when we shoot

 

[James Kibler]

Gee, chambers and l&r can make lefty locks and have for years. May be correct that we are 13% of the population but maybe we are 40% of the shooters. We are the ones right minded. We just use our left side more.

Yes, we can too, but currently choose not to for good business reasons. How is this so hard to understand? I'll not apologize for running our business as well as it can be. Remember, we don't owe anyone anything.

Let's just say, that we are a significantly different company than Chambers or L&R.

 

[jdw276]

Yes, we can too, but currently choose not to for good business reasons. How is this so hard to understand? I'll not apologize for running our business as well as it can be. Remember, we don't owe anyone anything.

You are correct. As I have stated multiple times before in these types of threads and specifically about your decision, it is your business and I wish you well with it. I hope for all the success in the world for you as you are working very hard to create a shooter friendly product. It is your decision but most times in life as I have personally experienced lefties are underestimated in most everything in life.

Good luck with your business and may it bring you all you goals and success in life. If you search in this thread and the other recent ones I have stated numerous times, your business, your decision and you must make to the best ones for your future. Good luck as always.

 

[Paul Mazan]

Yes, we can too, but currently choose not to for good business reasons. How is this so hard to understand? I'll not apologize for running our business as well as it can be. Remember, we don't owe anyone anything.

Let's just say, that we are a significantly different company than Chambers or L&R.

Is lefties tend to simply be tired of being forced to adapt and compromise Try and find a left handed chainsaw sewing machine, lathe, dial calipers etc. That can make us cranky and demanding and a pain in the posterior region. I won’t apologize for wanting products that are as safe and convenient for us as the right handed majority enjoy, but I will apologize for the Aggravation it causes you. You have to make business decisions based on demand for product and a handful of cranky complaints is not a reason to put the time effort snd money into a marginal product. I understand that, I wish It wasn’t so but it is. Good luck with the business and I hope you find great success and I can be a future customer.

 

[jdw276]

Is lefties tend to simply be tired of being forced to adapt and compromise Try and find a left handed chainsaw sewing machine, lathe, dial calipers etc. That can make us cranky and demanding and a pain in the posterior region. I won’t apologize for wanting products that are as safe and convenient for us as the right handed majority enjoy, but I will apologize for the Aggravation it causes you. You have to make business decisions based on demand for product and a handful of cranky complaints is not a reason to put the time effort snd money into a marginal product. I understand that, I wish It wasn’t so but it is. Good luck with the business and I hope you find great success and I can be a future customer.

As I noted on the threads months ago about the time jim was coming out with the fowler folks were what is next? My bucket list item is to make my own rifle. I have tried twice but failed badly due to my two right thumbs. So a kibler being "easy" to assemble for a novice two right thumb person might be a good fit. But I am a lefty and my bucket list is to make a rifle for me. So just as jim will not alter his standards and for good reason, puts food on his table, I will not settle either. Take a class folks say well all the classes I have found use the kibler kit as a foundation for the rifle. So find a mentor, none in the area willing to work on a lefty due to their personal shop set up. Just like jim's cnc machines are not set up for leftys. I have handled completed kibler kits, they work for a lefty. They just do not help me achieve my bucket list goal. I wish Jim all the success in the world with his business. As it is I most likely will never achieve the item on my bucket list and have accepted that fate. Good luck to jim and his business. I do not believe he should compromise or change his business model for a bunch of folks who most think were created by the devil and should be excised from society. That is why leftys are in the ER more frequently than rightys.

 

[Paul Mazan]

As I noted on the threads months ago about the time jim was coming out with the fowler folks were what is next? My bucket list item is to make my own rifle. I have tried twice but failed badly due to my two right thumbs. So a kibler being "easy" to assemble for a novice two right thumb person might be a good fit. But I am a lefty and my bucket list is to make a rifle for me. So just as jim will not alter his standards and for good reason, puts food on his table, I will not settle either. Take a class folks say well all the classes I have found use the kibler kit as a foundation for the rifle. So find a mentor, none in the area willing to work on a lefty due to their personal shop set up. Just like jim's cnc machines are not set up for leftys. I have handled completed kibler kits, they work for a lefty. They just do not help me achieve my bucket list goal. I wish Jim all the success in the world with his business. As it is I most likely will never achieve the item on my bucket list and have accepted that fate. Good luck to jim and his business. I do not believe he should compromise or change his business model for a bunch of folks who most think were created by the devil and should be excised from society. That is why leftys are in the ER more frequently than rightys.

Never having assembled a Kebler kit I have no basis for comparison but I found the Jebadia Star kit easy to assemble but then ive built several
Gun nd had years of experience. If I was in your shoes, I’d call Pecatonica long rifle supply and talk to them. They offer left handed versions of several styles and will do the work you can’t handle. For a Price of course. Things like cutting dovetails for underlugs, and sights, fitting the breechplug, Inletting for the lock. It sounds like they will do as much or as little as you want. This information comes from their website, I have no personal experience with them but it would be worth a call.