Kibler's Longrifles new product announcement tomorrow

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No one that thinks this is awesome needs to hear a Debbie downer tell us why he doesn’t like it!!
I am buyer of firearms, not a builder. That is my category. To me a long rifle has always been in history an individually built rifle. Production guns are all the same for reasons. Bess, charlie, lyman, pedersoli etc.

So to me a long rifle built historically should have an individual touch to it regardless of so called quality. Even kits today regardless of quality or who built it have an individualistic appearance to them with or without flaws. Many are more works of art these days but all have the same functionality. To shoot a chunk of something. A CNC machine can create an individual touch for a price. The long rifles I have had built, i do not want to look like a copy of someone elses. Simple. I have lymans, cva's, tc's as well and they are simply a copy of another. Good luck with the new product launch Jim. You know your market I am sure.
 
Count me with those who are very excited about this. My artistic abilities end with drawing a hangman-style stick figure, but I did enjoy assembling a pistol kit, and I so admire those of you who have the talents to carve (and engrave).

Is there any sort of side-by-side comparison of the different Kibler rifles? That would be so handy to see and compare...
 
This is amazing to see and try to understand all that has gone into realizing this new product. Congratulations with this one!

One thought in reading through the thread is that there is ( usually) something for everyone. For folks who want carving and can’t do it this looks like a good option. It might even encourage some to not ruin a beautiful Kibler stock with terribly executed “carving” ( thank heavens).
For others, there is just no replacing the beauty of individuality executed and personalized carvings. No brainer there.

It’s amazing to me to see what these machines can do, actually, and I am not surprised that Jim has pushed this new technology into his product line.

We are at the naisance of AI in its many applications and this seems to me to be the logical application of that technology into this industry.
Is it a replacement of human art and skill? I don’t think so, but it certainly throws a big heap of less expensive/high quality competition out there. This is one of the big discussions/arguments of the day, and, to me, it’s just a repeat of earlier ones juxtaposing modern technology with traditional methods.

But there it is, another option for the customer, and obviously the very finest option if it’s kind available.

“Modern Technology is an amazing thing.” I think to myself, as I scratch away on a cow horn with a pointy nail. 🥹
 
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First I don't own a Kibler gun. But what I like about Jim Kibler is he constantly thinks of ways to improve his product line. The man does not believe in " Well this is good enough " like some others do. When you look at some of the other vendors. When was the last time you seen them improve their products ? Besides increase the price tag...?
 
I don't believe labeling Solonco as a Debbie downer is of any value, His statements have plenty of merit. Hand carving is an art as many on this forum have learned or are trying to learn. What Jim is providing in the future will benefit those like me who can't draw a stick person less learn to carve or those of us that can't afford the price of an artist to do it for them. For those that can crave ..... they will still be in high demand and there will always be a difference in the finale product.
Hopefully Jim will let us pick an option on what will be carved "like a picture" in that Sears catalog we enjoyed. WZ
There is no value in telling someone you don’t like what they have or do. Imagine being very excited to show off your new car and the first comment out of someone’s mouth is, “I don’t like it”. What purpose does that serve other than to rain on their parade? It’s a rhetorical question.
 
There is no value in telling someone you don’t like what they have or do. Imagine being very excited to show off your new car and the first comment out of someone’s mouth is, “I don’t like it”. What purpose does that serve other than to rain on their parade? It’s a rhetorical question.
I agree completely. As my dad used to say, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything". Well done Jim.
 
There is no value in telling someone you don’t like what they have or do. Imagine being very excited to show off your new car and the first comment out of someone’s mouth is, “I don’t like it”. What purpose does that serve other than to rain on their parade? It’s a rhetorical question.
I see your point of view. I hope that Jim was looking for more input than just congratulations. He's a great business type and I am sure he'll use whatever input to good use. WZ
 
This is amazing to see and try to understand all that has gone into realizing this new product. Congratulations with this one!

One thought in reading through the thread is that there is ( usually) something for everyone. For folks who want carving and can’t do it this looks like a good option. It might even encourage some to not ruin a beautiful Kibler stock with terribly executed “carving” ( thank heavens).
For others, there is just no replacing the beauty of individuality executed and personalized carvings. No brainer there.

It’s amazing to me to see what these machines can do, actually, and I am not surprised that Jim has pushed this new technology into his product line.

We are at the naisance of AI in its many applications and this seems to me to be the logical application of that technology into this industry.
Is it a replacement of human art and skill? I don’t think so, but it certainly throws a big heap of less expensive/high quality competition out there. This is one of the big discussions/arguments of the day, and, to me, it’s just a repeat of earlier ones juxtaposing modern technology with traditional methods.

But there it is, another option for the customer, and obviously the very finest option if it’s kind available.

“Modern Technology is an amazing thing.” I think to myself, as I scratch away on a cow horn with a pointy nail. 🥹
Pathfinder,

Thanks for the nice message. I think you have made a lot of good points. I'll also add that this wasn't magically spit out by a computer. It all started with my imagination, hand drawings and went from there. Accomplishing this took months of work! It's really no different than any carving I would produce on high end custom rifles I've produced. The only real difference is how it is made. Using technology allows it to be made extremely well and very efficiently.

Jim
 
I've built 3 of Jim's guns, 2 colonials and a SMR, never thought that someday a kit would be available with carving already done. I think it's a great option for some and maybe not so for others, if you can do carving , even a little it will be your gun! And, for others who can't carve and want some it is an option for them, great show Jim!

Rich
 
I have a SMT in the white sitting here mocking me. Yep Still havent gotten the courage to start finish. Its so nice I fear I will ruin it. I have done CVA etc, They were OK, But this one cannot be OK, I need it be NICE, So I bought another traditions kit to build and finish as practice cuz if I screw in up I can still sell it for what I got in it. I will say I would have certianly paid more for the carving. EXCELLENT idea Mr Kibler!

As for it looks just like the other guys.....I doubt we will ever meet. I shoot alone and hunt alone and clean guns alone. Can I return mine for carving??
 
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