Middlesex vs. Discriminating General The Same!

[Many Klatch]

I just bought a Pedersoli frizzen for my Pedersoli Bess from Dixie gunworks. I think I paid $20 including shipping.

I don't shoot blanks, I shoot roundball and shot out of my Bess. I want a gun that is dependable and safe to shoot. I bought my Pedersoli Bess used for $800.

IMHO $450 for an Indian made pipe bomb is way too expensive.

There are always bargains out there if you have the time to look for them.

Your mileage may vary.

Many Klatch

 

[bpd303]

This would certainly go through my mind every time I pulled the trigger on any India made replica. Scroll down for the picture. http://civilwartalk.com/threads/india-made-lorenz-explodes-at-bga-gettysburg.86134/

 

[Wes/Tex]

Yikes! That was one lucky dude if he kept all his fingers!! :shocked2:

 

[pargent]

Classic operater malfunction , barrel obstruction :nono:

 

[MSW]

This would certainly go through my mind every time I pulled the trigger on any India made replica. Scroll down for the picture. http://civilwartalk.com/threads/india-made-lorenz-explodes-at-bga-gettysburg.86134/

gotta admit, that about covers it in one ... I still have an India made SxS percussion ... a wall hanger, and that only because the wood is pretty and unusual.

 

[Billnpatti]

Take a look at the pictures in bpd303's posting and tell me what you think about whether or not you would want to spend your money on that gun in the TOW listing that was made in India. Let me give you a hand and simply re-post his (bpd303) earlier posting. When you get to this site, scroll down the photos. Read the comments. http://civilwartalk.com/threads/india-made-lorenz-explodes-at-bga-gettysburg.86134/

 

Cant condone Americans reaping profits off lowely Indian workers, nomatter how skilled they are. Id rather make it myself or perhaps get a Pedersoli. At best, pay a good patriotic American for some fine craftsmanship.

 

[strato50]

Bought it, love it.

 

[strato50]

Les is the fellow at Lion's Den who proofed my DG / Military Heritage but bought from Spencer's Mercantile India pattern Bess.

I've had nothing but excellent fun with this musket, the lock is solid & the barrel is beautiful. I used a boroscrope and gave it a good inspection after my first few months of owning & firing it. No seam, no visible issues.

Maybe I got lucky and got one of the 'good' india made guns? I dunno. Entire regiments are being equipped here (Ontario) with Bess' and Charvilles, and even a few 1795 Springfields & Bakers.

I'll have more range reports in a week or so

 

[palladius]

DG does not sell working firearms, you have to drill the vent hole and all liability is on you. MV guarantees their locks for life (though after a year there is a $10 shipping fee) and their turn around on work is fast.

Perhaps DG does sell some seconds from MV, I don't know. I had considered getting a pistol from DG but the shape of the wood was all wrong for the model weapon, I would have had to drill a vent hole, etc, so I'll keep looking.

There is some overlap of the various Indian importers (Veteran Arms and Flintlock repair sell some identical pieces--their FDCs are identical) and wildly different assessments of their quality but the general consensus seems to put DG at the bottom of the Indian makers.

 

[nwtradegun]

this is another point of view. save ur money and buy a used pedrolsoli or Dixie. I got a pedro indian trade musket. 75 cal a reworked brown bess for less than an india made pc. of junk

 

[palladius]

Same here. India has about 15 million people working in slavery. Many or most of the children. I simply do not care to patronize anything having to do with that country.

Considering how much stuff we Americans buy that comes from China these days...

 

[pargent]

Not realy it has several features that are off but could be fixed up.
The handrail butt profile is not right.
The forestock transition at the entry pipe is way off and it requires a later entry pipe .
The front pipe is in the wrong spot it should be closer to the end of stock .

 

[BillinOregon]

I have owned one and examined a couple of the India-made guns. It is often the very robustness of the parts and especially the wood that makes them less than accurate reproductions. The fact the parts are all hand-made in itself makes them far more akin to 18th century arms than CNC-machined Italian arms that have no soul.
I can't say what caused the Lorenz barrel failure above, but H.P. White Labs examined the one known Bess barrel failure and concluded the dimwit re-enactor had fired so many blank charges without any cleaning that the thick fouling-buildup got ALL the blame for the failure.
These guns, at least from Veterans and MVT that I have seen, are ready to go out of the box, and will respond well to further tweaking. The Indian guns represent value, and have their place, if you go in with both eyes open. And yes, I feel good supporting jobs for Indian lock filers and craftsmen who hold stuff between their feet to feed their families.

 

[Billnpatti]

This is not directed at BillinOregon, it is a general message. After reading all of the comments on the Indian guns, the Italian guns and the custom guns, I would say that those who know the difference need no explanation. Those who prefer the custom guns and can afford them know that they are getting an excellent quality gun. Those who prefer the Italian guns know that they are getting a good quality gun at a significantly lower price than a custom gun. Fed a proper diet, they will usually shoot just as well as the custom guns. Those who prefer the Indian guns........for whatever reason......know what they are willing to accept in quality and know what they are willing to spend for a gun. To each his own. The true test of our opinion in this matter is not so much what we say on this forum, it is how we vote with our dollars.

 

[jakeinthelake]

I've had nothing but excellent fun with this musket, the lock is solid & the barrel is beautiful. I used a boroscrope and gave it a good inspection after my first few months of owning & firing it. No seam, no visible issues.

Maybe I got lucky and got one of the 'good' india made guns? I dunno. Entire regiments are being equipped here (Ontario) with Bess' and Charvilles, and even a few 1795 Springfields & Bakers.

I'll have more range reports in a week or so

You aren't kiddin. There are entire regiments using them and volleys look pretty damn good to me :grin:

I've had a great time with my Discriminating General musket and had no issues. The guys I talked to said the same thing, so not gettin the doom and gloom. Then again some people hate for the sake of hating.

Have fun at the range!

Jake

 

[jakeinthelake]

Discriminating General said ALL their muskets and pistols were manufactured by the same factory as Middlesex Village Trading Company. They said something like MVT doesnt sell a 2nd MODEL Bess because they've got rights to it. Don't believe me, call them.

Jake

 

[jakeinthelake]

Wait a frickin minute. Buddy you just spent most of your time on this thread trashing DG with the conviction of muslim extremist but you never owned one of their guns????? :youcrazy:

I am new to the list. Can I block certain posters?

 

[BillinOregon]

Jake, welcome and cool your jets. There isn't a single forum on the net interested in muzzleloaders that has not had endless and spirited back-and-forth on the topic of the Indian guns. I know of one thread that goes for close to 40 pages, and no conclusions drawn. This topic just excites a lot of opinion. The Indian guns are what they are -- junk to some and the admission ticket to muzzleloading and reenacting to others. BillinPatti has been here for years and contributed many fine posts. Please don't start out your experience here taking fierce exception and blocking out opinions that might do you some service.
Just some advice from a long-timer here, and it is worth exactly two centavos!

:hatsoff:

 

[jakeinthelake]

Wise words Bill. :bow:

I am a "just the facts please" guy so admittedly I get annoyed with unhelpful made-up stuff, that trashes a good exchange of info.

My sincere apologizes to you, fusiler3ene and forum readers for my harsh tone. Jets officially cooled. Much appreciated Bill.