Lyman GPR- kit or used?

[Noggindrill]

Hi all,

Not sure whether this post should be here or in the builder's forum:

I'm looking to upgrade from my T/C New Englander to a Great Plains Rifle but don't want to spend $ on a brand new one. It would be used primarily for paper and steel targets. The GPRs seem to have many favorable reviews here and elsewhere.

I have the opportunity to select from two used ones. One is at an LGS missing a wedge pin and is sort of drab looking. The other is available online and can't really tell too much from the photos.

The other option is a kit which cost a bit more, but can be "customized" i.e. stock and barrel finish.

I'm looking for recommendations on which way to go. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rodwha]

Get the kit and do it yourself. You'll no doubt enjoy and appreciate it more.

 

[VEARL]

That is a tough one.
If buying online, your taking the word of someone else's examination of the condition of the bore, lock, trigger etc.
Stocks can be refinished. Barrels can be reblued or browned. Rusty bores are a impossible fix.
Building from a kit allows you to choose all of your finshes. Plus you will be the first to shoot it. You will know how it has been maintained.
I have been lucky on some guns bought on line and some were not so good.
Are you going to sell your New Englander ? I hear that they are a great gun for hunting. Hope to get me one before next season.

 

[BrownBear]

If you can drive a sheet of sandpaper, a file and maybe a wood rasp, I'd sure be thinking about the kit.

Go into the gun building section here at the site and cruise back over the last few years to look at the many that members have built and posted. If the pics in there don't get you all het up, then by all means just buy a plain jane used model to save a few nickles. :wink:

 

[cowpoke1955]

First off, welcome :hatsoff: I have two .54 GPRs, one percussion and one flint I built from a kit. The kits are easy to assemble. It seems the hardest part was removing all that wood. I used a ton of sand paper. My stock had beautiful grain and color, I just applier eight coats of boiled lindseed oil and browned the metal with LMF Browning Solution from Track of the Wolf. The first rifle you mentioned, if the bore is good and the price is right would be worth looking at. You could remove all metal parts from the stock. Sand and restain the stock. This will remove most dings and dents the stock may have. Strip the finish from the metal parts and reapply the finish you like. Wedge pins are fairly cheap from Lyman. Either way, you'll have a special GPR and a great rifle :thumbsup:

 

[SgtSchutzen]

If it were me I`d go with the kit, unless the one in the shop your looking at is ALOT less money and the bore is good. Because most of the used production built traditional style guns I look at have rusty bores I`d be really leary about buying one online from someone I don`t know.

 

[nmdd]

I vote for the kit also....just something about being able to say I built that....here is one I recently finished..... :hatsoff:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/273956/

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

Well, all I can tell you is I owned a factory build in 54 and it shot very well but I sold it. There was nothing wrong with it, just didn’t feel or look right to me. I am now building one from a kit, that was given to me, in 50 and I will be keeping this one. I now realize that the reason the first rifle didn’t work for me was the amount of extra wood left on and the wood to metal fit was just ordinary. With the kit I get to finish it just the way I like it. All I am using is to complete this kit is:

Set of good screw drivers
1/2 and 1/4 straight chisels, one 5mm gouge
Set of standard drill bits
4 in 1 cabinet makers rasp
10 inch single cut fine mill file
3/8 drill
80, 120, 180, and 220 grit sand paper
LMF Browning solution
B C stain and sealer
B C Tru-oil


And it is a lot of fun building it.

 

[Sperit de bois]

Winter is here and if your not pressed for time,,I'D go with the kit..

 

[F.G. Ford]

Get "BOTH", ya never know when you will need two shots!
Ya don't wanna to be caught short!
Seriously you can trim down the Lyman GPR into a very fine handling rifle, and a little effort it can come out very custom in appearance.
Fred

 

[WMR]

I have a Lyman GPR 50 cal I made from a kit. Excellent shape, only small scatch on cheek piece. Barrel and all hardware browned. Only shot a few times. Would consider swap for your New Englander if it is in excellent shape and 50 or 54 cal.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Get the kit and do it yourself. You'll no doubt enjoy and appreciate it more.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Concure! GREAT shooting weapon and personalized makes it special!!

 

[Noggindrill]

Old Cap Locker,

Thanks for the offer, but you'd be getting the short end of that swap. You should check Kittery Trading Post. As of today they had at least five used New Englanders for sale on their website.

I bought a Uberti Walker from them last year and was very pleased with the transaction.

 

[ebiggs1]

There is no decision here. Get the new kit. :thumbsup:

But a GPR is NOT an upgrade over a New Englander. :shocked2: No way!