Made the Kibler Leap

[longcruise]

It’s done…

I ordered a .40 calibre Southern Mountain Rifle with the extra fancy curly maple stock….it was hard to decide between a .36 calibre or the .40 calibre…in the end the .40 was my choice.

Perfect for the Squirrel Shoot!!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Craziest thing…I just got a notification from Kibler. My kit is ready to ship….WOW.

So I’m on cloud 9…

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Just got off the phone with Kibler…yes indeed it’s true; the kit is done and ready to ship…

As to the WoodsRunner, still taking pre-orders; actual production has not started as yet.

I was really torn between getting a .54 calibre WoodsRunner, a .36 calibre Southern Mountain Rifle or a .40 calibre Southern Mountain Rifle

 

[winter1857]

My kit showed up Monday. I had an appendectomy/hernia repair operation last Thursday so I've not been able to do much until yesterday and today. Still moving slow.

Started on the dry fit. Everything is pretty good. I struggled with the butt plate last evening until I got exasperated and went to bed. Over night I realized that I hadn't taken a file to the back side of the butt plate. After I knocked things down a bit with a file and I had the "wings" on each side flattened out it settled down very well.

The trigger guard is going to take a little wood removal on the front and back of the recess. There's a little step at the front of the bow that needs to sit just right and the back needs a 16th or so removed to settle in.
I bought a set of nice gouges just for this.

It's going pretty well so far. Nervous about the drilling but I'll probably wait awhile on that until I'm 100% health wise.

Thanks everyone for your input. There's a great group of folks here.

 

[Cattywompuss]

For a long time I've lusted after a Kibler SMR in .40 or .45. But that's all I can do at present. Actually the biggest obstacle, for me, is the lop. I'm small and 13" is about max for me; in fact 12.5" is my favorite. Then again I don't need another rifle I just want one.

I'm average-ish at 5'9' but I like a shorter stock myself as well. Of course the old across the chest hooked in the arm crescent buttplate thing is probably why it is 13". But I also hate that form of shooting so I'm with you. 20 years ago the "SMR" shape we all know and love was my dream rifle. Nowadays, I like a broad-arsed Dutch-built bugger of a rifle with a mid-18th C. butt and LOP.

 

[azmntman]

Mine is next in line (in the white and they take longer). .40 standard maple but NICE Lori sent me a few pics.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Tracking says mine should arrive Wednesday.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Checked Tracking today…says “Out for Delivery”…Seriously?

Supposed to arrive between 12:30 and 1:30 this afternoon. I’m stunned…2.5 to 3.5 hours from now, it should be here

 

[Rock Home Isle]

A beautiful long wooden crate showed up just a bit ago. The cherry is beautiful and much more figured than I expected. I'm very pleased.

I'll work on it slowly over the coming weeks. I've waited for this for over two years. I'm a happy gent.

I'm going to go with no stain, just Tried and True applied in several very thin coats. Sun and time will bring out the stock's best colors.

How long will it take? Post images

 

[Rock Home Isle]

At 12:10, my wife walks in the house and says, “There’s a big box on the front step, with your name on it”

I have never seen so much dense curl in a stock.

I have never owned a gun with this much curl.

There is literally curl every 1/4” to 3/8” from buttplate to muzzle.

I’m now terrified to work on this gun…I might screw it up

 

[garypl]

Nice piece of maple- take your time and enjoy the process and you will do fine! Keep pics coming

 

[azmntman]

At 12:10, my wife walks in the house and says, “There’s a big box on the front step, with your name on it”
View attachment 150465
I have never seen so much dense curl in a stock.
View attachment 150466
I have never owned a gun with this much curl.
View attachment 150467
There is literally curl every 1/4” to 3/8” from buttplate to muzzle.

I’m now terrified to work on this gun…I might screw it up

That's why I traded the premium wood for in the white!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

That's why I traded the premium wood for in the white!

I get it

 

[Fly Navy]

Those rifles look good in walnut also.

 

[Cattywompuss]

At 12:10, my wife walks in the house and says, “There’s a big box on the front step, with your name on it”
View attachment 150465
I have never seen so much dense curl in a stock.
View attachment 150466
I have never owned a gun with this much curl.
View attachment 150467
There is literally curl every 1/4” to 3/8” from buttplate to muzzle.

I’m now terrified to work on this gun…I might screw it up

Reminds me that two of my favorite hobbies/collections use the same materials. I love a curly stock, and I love a curly top on a guitar. I'd like to imagine Paul Reed Smith and Kibler both trying to wine and dine a wood vendor over getting the most flamiest bit of maple for their products!LOL!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Reminds me that two of my favorite hobbies/collections use the same materials. I love a curly stock, and I love a curly top on a guitar. I'd like to imagine Paul Reed Smith and Kibler both trying to wine and dine a wood vendor over getting the most flamiest bit of maple for their products!LOL!

That’s visual.

 

[jarentz]

That will be a nice looking stock when done.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Congratulations to you both. Take your time and enjoy the experience.

Build along:
Kibler Southern Mountain rifle kit and supplies arrived. It's going to be a fun build./

Finished pics:
My Jim Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle is done/

 

[Jim K]

Mine shipped out today. I’m excited!

 

[Dale Lilly]

For a long time I've lusted after a Kibler SMR in .40 or .45. But that's all I can do at present. Actually the biggest obstacle, for me, is the lop. I'm small and 13" is about max for me; in fact 12.5" is my favorite. Then again I don't need another rifle I just want one.

Hanshi... I've been saying "I don't need another rifle, I just want one" and now I have seventeen. However, I just sold one today. It is an obsession