Need recommendation on getting my first flintlock

[dew9lei]

I am leaning towards getting a Dixie Pennsylvania rifle for now. It's 1100 shipped with no tax and I don't trust my self on putting together a Kiblers (I am super interested in getting one I just can't trust my skill!)

 

[KIt]

Keep this in mind when buying a flintlock. The lock is the most important component of a rifle. The less epensive manufacturers cut corners on their flint lock locks. The heat treating on the frizzens are not heat treated properly, so they don't spark well and the tension on the springs are not in sync, which causes a lot of misfires at the range or in the field. Kibbler makes his own locks and they are reliable! Sooner or later you will want to replace a cheaper flintlock with a quality lock. That will cost you a couple hundred bucks or so. Now you are close or at the original Kibbler price. My suggestion is purchase a Kibbler kit without a lock. Complete th kit and than order th lock down th line when you have the money etc,

 

[dew9lei]

Keep this in mind when buying a flintlock. The lock is the most important component of a rifle. The less epensive manufacturers cut corners on their flint lock locks. The heat treating on the frizzens are not heat treated properly, so they don't spark well and the tension on the springs are not in sync, which causes a lot of misfires at the range or in the field. Kibbler makes his own locks and they are reliable! Sooner or later you will want to replace a cheaper flintlock with a quality lock. That will cost you a couple hundred bucks or so. Now you are close or at the original Kibbler price. My suggestion is purchase a Kibbler kit without a lock. Complete th kit and than order th lock down th line when you have the money etc,

How are the locks on Dixie stuff? Thx!

 

[BruceHH]

I made my recommendation, but if you are not going to get a Kibler - get a Thompson Center flintlock. Most of their locks were OK and if not you can get an L&R replacement and still be way under your budget. They are good guns for the price and to learn with.

 

[dew9lei]

I made my recommendation, but if you are not going to get a Kibler - get a Thompson Center flintlock. Most of their locks were OK and if not you can get an L&R replacement and still be way under your budget. They are good guns for the price and to learn with.

Thank you sir! I'll definitely do more research into it!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I made my recommendation, but if you are not going to get a Kibler - get a Thompson Center flintlock. Most of their locks were OK and if not you can get an L&R replacement and still be way under your budget. They are good guns for the price and to learn with.

I agree with this post…Thompson Center flintlock rifles are generally very good locks. Every once in awhile you get a run of frizzens that just didn’t harden correctly. Hardening a frizzen is not that hard if you have the correct equipment.

I was messing around with my lock in my Kibler Kit…I was shocked at how well it sparked…these locks are the real deal.

 

[Alan O]

may I humbly suggest a pistol? same principles of operation but smaller, cheaper

 

[user 34300]

I am leaning towards getting a Dixie Pennsylvania rifle for now. It's 1100 shipped with no tax and I don't trust my self on putting together a Kiblers (I am super interested in getting one I just can't trust my skill!)

Jim Kibler's kits are the highest quality easiest to assemble option. Anything else is a distant second. The price difference is not significant. The rifle you assemble will be treasured and have resale value much higher than your investment. Better still Jim's locks are the best production lock available, no contest. The styling of his rifles are very historically correct. The quality of all parts are top drawer. Consider the SMR in 45 caliber. With that you get a Green Mountain barrel, also the best commonly available.

As far as trusting yourself to assemble the kit, you will be fine. Read and follow the instructions. Kibler has Youtube videos that you can follow along. IF you pay attention the process is nearly foolproof.

I would not get the Dixie on a dare, suit yourself though.

 

[DixieTexian]

Be aware, Thompson center guns aren't really anything like what would have been used during the revolution. They might be representative of something that would have been available in the mid 1800's, but not the revolution.

 

[dew9lei]

Jim Kibler's kits are the highest quality easiest to assemble option. Anything else is a distant second. The price difference is not significant. The rifle you assemble will be treasured and have resale value much higher than your investment. Better still Jim's locks are the best production lock available, no contest. The styling of his rifles are very historically correct. The quality of all parts are top drawer. Consider the SMR in 45 caliber. With that you get a Green Mountain barrel, also the best commonly available.

As far as trusting yourself to assemble the kit, you will be fine. Read and follow the instructions. Kibler has Youtube videos that you can follow along. IF you pay attention the process is nearly foolproof.

I would not get the Dixie on a dare, suit yourself though.

Is there big differences between different wood with different curling? Im brand new to this wood curling % stuff. Thx!

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Ha! I know this is a Traditional ML forum, but I have to say, r.
e: the Martini Henry's... Sounds like I'm not the only one who was permanently marked from watching the movie "ZULU!" decades ago...

" Men of Harlecht, stand ye dreaming, can't you see their spearpoints gleaming..."

The Martini is my favorite single shot rifle!

 

[French Colonial]

I am looking for a repro of a flintlock rifle during the American revolution war era. Something in full length (40+" barrel length) and 50+ cal. Can you pros give me some recommendations? It'll be my first flintlock rifle.

Budget is $1000 (or less) I'm open to DIY kits (less expensive) Thank you!!

Added: I'll be only punching paper with it.

There is no way a Thompson Center matches up with what the OP says he is looking for. C'mon man.

 

[SamTex1949]

Lots of great info but I go back to the one where it was suggested to find some guys who are shooting BP !
Observe, ask questions and odds are you will get to shoot someone's flinter ! then you will be better informed on your direction.

 

[Kabulrocks]

Jim Kibler's kits are the highest quality easiest to assemble option. Anything else is a distant second. The price difference is not significant. The rifle you assemble will be treasured and have resale value much higher than your investment. Better still Jim's locks are the best production lock available, no contest. The styling of his rifles are very historically correct. The quality of all parts are top drawer. Consider the SMR in 45 caliber. With that you get a Green Mountain barrel, also the best commonly available.

As far as trusting yourself to assemble the kit, you will be fine. Read and follow the instructions. Kibler has Youtube videos that you can follow along. IF you pay attention the process is nearly foolproof.

I would not get the Dixie on a dare, suit yourself though.

I too suggest that you add $300 or so for the Kibler kit. The Kiblers have a strong resale from what I’ve seen on the forum too.
I’m leaning towards the Woodsrunner since it is probably of the type of rifle that a Virginia militiaman would have brought to the fight, at least in the early part of the revolution.

 

[dew9lei]

Damn lol I'm convinced!!!! Now I have to decide between rifled and smoothbore. It'll be just for target shooting and I already have two percussion rifles. Should I get a smoothbore just for the sake of having one?

 

[Grenadier1758]

How are the locks on Dixie stuff? Thx!

Dixie is an importer now and not so much a manufacturer. The rifle you are looking at is made by Pedersoli. The locks are reasonable. Generally, they are reliable. Dixie does try to provide customer satisfaction is there a problem with a product that they sell.

Is there big differences between different wood with different curling? Im brand new to this wood curling % stuff. Thx!

Pedersoli does not grade their stocks for curl (striping in the wood). More curl means more expensive wood with figure, not a twisty stock.

You will have a finished rifle quicker if you order the Pedersoli from Dixie, but you will not have an equivalent rifle.

 

[Scoper05]

I am looking for a repro of a flintlock rifle during the American revolution war era. Something in full length (40+" barrel length) and 50+ cal. Can you pros give me some recommendations? It'll be my first flintlock rifle.

Budget is $1000 (or less) I'm open to DIY kits (less expensive) Thank you!!

Added: I'll be only punching paper with it.

Kibler rifles for sure but it's a bit over your budget.

 

[Bushfire]

It's a bit disingenuous the way people talk of Pedersoli, you'd wonder how they're still in business if they're so terrible. I love mine, and I'd challenge any custom gun to fire faster than my indian trade gun.

Yes I have my custom/semi custom guns now, but I don't regret starting out with pedersoli.

To the OP, I was going to buy a frontier myself but an almost brand new Pedersoli Indian trade gun came up for a price too good to pass up. It had gone to a gun shop that placed no value on BP firearms. Anyway, I would have had no qualms going with it. I believe they have the same sized lock as the trade gun which throws a great shower of sparks.

I love 54s but any of the calibres they offer would suit your needs I think.

 

[Blue_Duck_97]

I started out with a flintlock Lyman deer stalker in .50 caliber. That rifle taught me that I know very little about flintlock rifle operations.

I’ve since bought a Pedersoli Brown Bess. That musket sparks like no other. As long as I’ve done my part and maintained the musket, it will go off. Now will I hit what I’m pointing at? Less than likely . I tend to use my Bess as a shotgun and hunt squirrels with it (it is a heavy beast).

I will build a Kibler flintlock (just can’t decide if I want another squirrel gun or a deer rifle).

Oh yea, I also picked up a Pedersoli frontier rifle in .36 caliber (percussion). Of all my muzzleloaders, it is my favorite!

Enjoy!

 

[Coinneach]

The Kibler Colonial is well researched and designed to be typical of a Pennsylvania rifle of the 1760-1780 time perioed (per his website). As such, it would be a very typical generic rifle of the revolutionary war era. Otherwise, probably the most common long arm would be a Brown Bess design.
Kiblers kits are designed for minimal skill...just needs patience. Very basic hand tools are required, which you can find on his website. Final fitting (which can be fussy and time consuming) only is required, with all predrilling etc. done (except for drilling the barrel pin holes...easy as the wood holes are predrilled).
You will read where some folks are able to assemble a Kibler in five hours.....hmmmm....
Most of us plan it as a winters project.
For the money...which is above your target, you are getting probably the best overall rifle /flintlock possible.
There is a lot of love for Kiblers here, for a good reason.

I only wish he'd export to Australia for we folk.