Kit decision

[mossy25]

Hi all,
I am looking to get started on a kit rifle. I am considering a Traditions Crockett rifle or a Kibler woodsrunner. I am primarily thinking about the traditions, just so I can get some experience without making too many mistakes on a $1000+ dollar kit. Is the traditions any good? Do y’all have any other good beginner kit recommendations?
Thanks,
-Mossy

 

[FlaminCrow]

My .10c. If money is not a factor in your decision, I would bite the bullet and get a Kibler Woodsrunner.
I purchased a Traditions kit for my son about 5 yrs ago, figured it would be a good start for him, economically and a beater. He purchased the woodsrunner when it came out a couple yrs ago, he said it was less of a pia than the traditions and by far a much better finished product.

 

[rusticbob]

Kibler will be much easier to put together.

 

[Buff1958]

It would be hard to mess up a woodsrunner to the point you could not fix it and it is a very nice rifle

 

[Polecat_Tom]

In my opinion it is almost impossible to mess up a Kibler kit. Especially the Woodsrunner. If you have a drill, file screwdriver, and a sharp chisel you should be able to do it no problem and you will end up with a great gun.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

The best beginner kit on the market is a Kibler. If you start with a cheap commercial kit you will likely end up getting a Kibler Kit later on. You might as well spend a little bit more now and end up getting a quality kit and a fine looking and shooting gun.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

Woodsrunner, hands down. I didn't need a drill. I used a screwdriver, a small hammer (for pins), vice grips (for pins) and a single cut file to draw file the barrel. The usual sandpaper, bluing and stain/sealer. Incredibly simple and, in my mind, impossible to mess up beyond use. When your done your $1200 kit can look like a 4k custom and perform as good as any rifle is capable. Top shelf barrels and locks.

 

[Dave Marsh]

Another Kibler fan.

 

[yellowhammer]

I wish Traditions would sell the kit they use in the Sonoran Desert Institute muzzleloader gunsmith class to the general public. I stumbled onto one; lots better than their other kits. It would really get beginners off to a better start than their other kits, but probably lots more $$$....

 

[stubshaft]

You'd have to work hard to screw up a Kibler

 

[mossy25]

I guess that settles it then! Save a bit longer for the Kibler. Thanks for your input everyone

 

[PeteStevens]

Hi all,
I am looking to get started on a kit rifle. I am considering a Traditions Crockett rifle or a Kibler woodsrunner. I am primarily thinking about the traditions, just so I can get some experience without making too many mistakes on a $1000+ dollar kit. Is the traditions any good? Do y’all have any other good beginner kit recommendations?
Thanks,
-Mossy

Kibler by far is one if not the best way to start. A lot of the hard work is done for you so you’re success rate will be high and you’ll have fun as well. Once you finish it you’ll have a gun you can be proud of and it will shoot great. They are historically accurate as well. Best of luck

 

[AZshot]

I just made a Kibler Southern Mountain with upgraded wood I provided for my first build. I had no trouble with it, and the Woodsrunners are supposed to be even easier. The Kibler support is very fast and fair, if needed. They even tuned their lock for me because I was having frizzon bounceback. Free.

 

[wiscoaster]

OP, get yourself a Kibler, and to avoid mistakes, pay attention to Jim's videos and also to the good advice you'll get from members here if you get stuck at any point.

 

[awreis]

You all have to stop talking so good about kibler kits. You keep making my heart want one but my wallet is streaming I can't right now. In all serious though, one day I have full intentions of getting one. With three little kids at home though, funds are a little tied up for the next few years.

 

[FlaminCrow]

You all have to stop talking so good about kibler kits. You keep making my heart want one but my wallet is streaming I can't right now. In all serious though, one day I have full intentions of getting one. With three little kids at home though, funds are a little tied up for the next few years.

You only live once. Took me damn near 30 yrs before I was able to get the quality rifle I wanted. My kids, oldest to youngest were 11 yrs apart. Looking back, should have gotten that rifle sooner instead of spending it on dance, baseball, horse feed….

 

[awreis]

You only live once. Took me damn near 30 yrs before I was able to get the quality rifle I wanted. My kids, oldest to youngest were 11 yrs apart. Looking back, should have gotten that rifle sooner instead of spending it on dance, baseball, horse feed….

My wife has said she's fine with it so maybe I'll end up with one sooner rather than later. Time to do a quality job is also a limiting factor right now. My oldest is 5 years and my youngest of 3 is 3 months.