Kibler vs. TVM.

[TDM]

Mr. Kibler fully backs his products, TVM does not. That fact alone is reason enough to choose Kibler.

Good reason, I agree.

 

[Wireforhire]

I have not owned a Kibler. they appear to be well made and fully functional guns. They are attractive and appear to be precisely made. By all reports, they are easy to assemble and finish. I applaud Jim for an innovative and attaractive product. I would like to own one.

However, they are "cookie cutter" guns. No differentiation in length of pull, cast on/off, drop at comb or heel, no options for barrel length. No left handed options. With a TVM, I can have it made to fit my (unusual) fit issues and preferences. I can select barrel styles, lengths, weights, locks, wood quality, and other details. My experience with TVM is that if I can describe it, they can make it. With a lot of communication and some patience., I have always gotten what I wanted EXACTLY. And they all shoot the lights out. That is what a custom builder should supply.

If and when Kibler offers options of fit, I will try one. I wish them great success. But don't sell TVM short. They offer a different product.

ADK Bigfoot

Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading or Tennessee Valley Manufacturing.....There appears to be two different Companys using TVM as a reference. One decent and one not so decent. It's seeming one is getting an unjust bad rep' since the "TVM" is being used in all the replies. Which is Which? WZ

 

[Snooterpup]

I have not owned a Kibler. they appear to be well made and fully functional guns. They are attractive and appear to be precisely made. By all reports, they are easy to assemble and finish. I applaud Jim for an innovative and attaractive product. I would like to own one.

However, they are "cookie cutter" guns. No differentiation in length of pull, cast on/off, drop at comb or heel, no options for barrel length. No left handed options. With a TVM, I can have it made to fit my (unusual) fit issues and preferences. I can select barrel styles, lengths, weights, locks, wood quality, and other details. My experience with TVM is that if I can describe it, they can make it. With a lot of communication and some patience., I have always gotten what I wanted EXACTLY. And they all shoot the lights out. That is what a custom builder should supply.

If and when Kibler offers options of fit, I will try one. I wish them great success. But don't sell TVM short. They offer a different product.

ADK Bigfoot

I get your point but I believe the King’s musket was also a ‘cookie cutter gun’. Kiblers can be individually carved or shaped. What’s not to like?

 

[The Appalachian]

My "TVM" experience is with Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading, and for me it was one and done. Whoever ran the router on that barrel channel, lock inlet, and trigger inlet just needs be fired. Period. Same for whoever let that garbage out the door. I spent more time fixing it than if I'd cut it myself. Yeah, I should have sent it back but didn't.

 

[EC121]

I am currently finishing up a carved Woodsrunner. Here is my experience.
You will have to polish or file the milling marks out of the buttplate, barrel(they are small but they are there), and nosecap. The triggerguard and ramrod pipes will need to have the casting marks polished off. You could get by without polishing the lock by browning it, but I disassembled the lock and polished everything. The wood just needs a little light sanding. I found the occasional(only a few) milling cutter marks in a few spots on the stock. Like file marks they don't always show up until you put some stain on the wood.

Over all it is a really nice kit, but it is still kit.
You aren't buying a finished "ready for stain" rifle. It could be put together and shot as soon as you get it. but for me it needs a little work. It was an enjoyable assembly.

 

[mikesto44]

It would really be a worthwhile post if the people commenting . Would state which TVM company they are referring too... Instead of lumping them all together...? Not fare to the good company.

 

[Mike in FL]

Do the two companies differ in quality or styles avalable or anything else?

 

[Mike in FL]

My experience with Killer has been different from all others, which tells me the problem is me, not the kit. I wish I had purchased in the white or a completed TVM. I've had the kit a few weeks but am just now completing Step 2 from Jim's videos. Mine is going together nothing like I thought. I had real trouble fitting the tang. Then I stupidly took the lock apart like the man did in the vid. I thought I'd never get it put back. I letting the lock was easy and it fits tight against the barrel, but the rear most bolt will NOT align with the lock hole. Almost though. No obstruction is apparent, but color on the end of the bolt shows it to be making contact just barely too far forward. I sort of "sharpened" the bolt (filing the leading edge lightly) but still can't get it to meet the lock's thread. One would think my inletting job is askew, but no, it fit perfectly with very little wood removal. I will eventually get it but for now I'm stuck. I've thought about asking Jim if I could send it back and get him to examine and finish in the white.

 

[Mike in FL]

I see now I ought to have made that a separate post. Sorry.

 

[Mike in FL]

Wait! Cancel that. After two days of vanquish I got 'er done, the lock bolt I mean. went right in, All I had to do was tilt the lock outward a little at the rear which lined up the hole, then leveled it out and both bolts went in smoothly. Lock/trigger. now operating great. I might not be as dumb as I thought. One thing about building g from a kit: it's a learning experience that serves well during g the next one.
ON TO STEP THREE!!

 

[Snooterpup]

Wait! Cancel that. After two days of vanquish I got 'er done, the lock bolt I mean. went right in, All I had to do was tilt the lock outward a little at the rear which lined up the hole, then leveled it out and both bolts went in smoothly. Lock/trigger. now operating great. I might not be as dumb as I thought. One thing about building g from a kit: it's a learning experience that serves well during g the next one.
ON TO STEP THREE!!

Which Kibler kit did you purchase? If you bought the Colonial or Southern Mountain kits they are more involved than the Woodsrunner. Stay with it and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you get stuck. Most folks here are very helpful. Persevere! I wish I was near to help if you have trouble.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
Best wishes!

 

[James Kibler]

Wait! Cancel that. After two days of vanquish I got 'er done, the lock bolt I mean. went right in, All I had to do was tilt the lock outward a little at the rear which lined up the hole, then leveled it out and both bolts went in smoothly. Lock/trigger. now operating great. I might not be as dumb as I thought. One thing about building g from a kit: it's a learning experience that serves well during g the next one.
ON TO STEP THREE!!

If you end up needing some help, you can always send it back and we could get it together for you. If you have any questions, just let us know as well.

Jim

 

[Snooterpup]

If you end up needing some help, you can always send it back and we could get it together for you. If you have any questions, just let us know as well.

Jim

Right there is the reason to buy from Jim Kibler.

 

[longcruise]

Do the two companies differ in quality or styles avalable or anything else?

There is TennesseValley Manufacturing and Tennessee Valley muzzle loading Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading

Right there is the reason to buy from Jim Kibler.

Exactly!

 

[Mike in FL]

Right there is the reason to buy from Jim Kibler.

Thank you sir.

 

[Mike in FL]

Which Kibler kit did you purchase? If you bought the Colonial or Southern Mountain kits they are more involved than the Woodsrunner. Stay with it and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you get stuck. Most folks here are very helpful. Persevere! I wish I was near to help if you have trouble.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
Best wishes!

Got the Colonial because it fits my favorite era.

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

Both lock screw holes in my Colonial were off, the front quite a bit. Just worked on it with a round file till they lined up with the lock plate without having to do any tricks to get it together.

That's the holes in the stock were not quite straight. was a matter of removing just enough wood to get the metal parts to align properly.

 

[Mike in FL]

Both lock screw holes in my Colonial were off, the front quite a bit. Just worked on it with a round file till they lined up with the lock plate without having to do any tricks to get it together.

That's the holes in the stock were not quite straight. was a matter of removing just enough wood to get the metal parts to align properly.

 

[Mike in FL]

That's good to know. I was afraid I had screwed up. I mean I'm sorry you had trouble, but the possibility of imperfection is everywhere. Jim Kibler is my hero but kits always vary, no one's fault. I get discouraged but enjoy working things out. Help from him and folks here is invaluable. I look forward to completing it and losing myself in the mountains with the quality rifle.

 

[Troopertree]

I have a TVM 40 cal. Mountain rifle thats no problem in fit, finish, and function. My problem with my TVM is my fault not theirs. Very accurate rifle on the bench but I did not get a swamped barrel and physically I can't hold steady with the weight of the barrel.
I have 2 Kiblers one a 45 SMR and a 54 Woodsrunner that have swamped barrel. I shoot them very often a lot. The Kiblers are fantastic for match and hunting. I don't use the TVM anymore but the quality is there but a 8 month wait back then. I am a Kibler fanatic for sure. You have to find the fit for you and make yourself happy. Its been a journey for me but I have learned a lot with abunches more to go.