pedersoli kentucky rifle

[oldboot]

I was just wondering what your thoughts are on the Perdersoli Kentucky rifle offer by dixie gunworks in kit form. I'm sure that its not historically accurate.

 

[tg]

Many folks have got into the sport with production guns like these, they have enough of the flavor of the old style guns to get by in most events particularly the 'Vous, some are pretty fair shooters,often the flintlock versions of import guns can be persnickity, but the price is usually where most anyone can get a hold of one, there are less and less "entry level" traditional type guns as time goes on, I don't know what these are selling for now, but when compared to $700 give or take for a parts set for a PC ML they have their place.Others may chime in on whether there are others that are a better value and quality. I have not delt with the production guns for several years, I have had a lot of them and if I really needed to have a gun to shoot or hunt with and that is all there was I would not kick one out of my bed.

 

[renovato]

Pedersoli generally makes a pretty good gun. Some of the highest quality factory guns on the market.

Fair warning on the kit though. If you're thinking of getting it to save money, you really don't save anything by building most factory kits. By the time you add up the cost of abrasives, finishes, and any tools you might need but not have, you'll end up at or above the price of a factory finished gun, and that's not even counting your labor.

The only reason to buy factory kits, in my opinion, is for the fun of building it. You get to make it look, fit and feel how you want it too. I prefer kits to finished guns for that very reason.

 

[faw3]

My kids got me the "Ped" Penn Rifle not the Dixie Penn rifle (it didn't come in 50 cal for one thing, but for 400 bucks and shipping (if your reading the sale paper) I don't know how you can beat it (the Ped not Dixie Ped) I got it done enough to use as a shooter and the kids at 25 to 40 yards put one thru the center and they keep putting them thru all day long, right now we got a flint that has 81 shots on it and no none Ka-Booms when you fire,withthanks to Paul and others while I lay here and polished inside/ outside parts. Plink may be right I like the dark lines running thru the wood and I havent seen any oth rs like it so I kept those in (not maple) put dark on and took it right off so it would go deep before sanding and finnsh came out great all the way around..its about like what your asking about and I give it a :thumbsup: Fred :hatsoff:

 

[oldboot]

I do enjoy building kit guns. I got into ML a few years ago, but work has kept me away for a couple of years. I have started on entry level muzzleloaders and would like to move up to the next level. What would a good kit gun in the same price range as Ped be?

 

[Bartek]

I bought the kit of Pedersoli's Pennsylvania Rifle in Dixie Gun, 50. cal. ( flinf off course :wink: ) HA! Dixie Gun finally ships items to Poland too !
I love this gun ! I have no idea how much period correct it is :wink: , but that gun is great for having fun by muzzleloading
For finishing the stock i used only Tru-Oil. No any stain. European walnut is enough beauty it self after oiling. For the barrel i used our (Polish) traditional browning solution. And the gun looks great :grin:
Only one thing makes me angry - Pedersoli's Penn. has no sideplate... But what a problem to make some one And engrave it

On the other hand - that Kentucky can be just one of few your guns :wink: so if You like it - just buy it and have fun

 

[Cutfingers]

I, also, have a Pedrosoli Penn. rifle and it's a great shooter. What I would like to do is keep it and somehow make it more authentic. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[J.D.]

I do enjoy building kit guns. I got into ML a few years ago, but work has kept me away for a couple of years. I have started on entry level muzzleloaders and would like to move up to the next level. What would a good kit gun in the same price range as Ped be?

Depends on what you call a kit. If your idea of a kit is a 90% pre inlet stock and in the white barrel, then IMHO, Pedersolis offering is over priced for what it is and not all that great quality.

I would suggest Early Rustic as an option. http://www.earlyrusticarms.com/pricesanddescriptions.htm

Their In-the-white kits might be what you are looking for.

IMHO, the components used by Early Rustic are much higher quality than used by Pedersoli...especially the locks.

 

[oldboot]

I am familiar with wood and metal working, but not too good at engraving. I am willing to start tackling something alittle more difficult. The rustic arms kits have aroused my interest.

 

[tg]

I don't know of much you can do to PC one of these guns, if you can find an original with very close profile(look real carefully here as the imports tend to have different lines than originals) one can re-shape if enough wood is present,the gun will have to be post 1800 with the straight barrel and the sights would need changing I believe, these are very generic, loosley based on general appearances of originals and usually scaled down considerably, I think the best approach is to enjoy the gun as it is and keep a PC gun in mind for a future product, I have owned and shot and hunted with several guns of this general type on one I tacked it up with brass tacks and NDN'd it, they can be good shooters
and are a good way to get a taste of the ML world on a budget, and can be sold for a fair price when building a war chest for that Chambers Early Lancaster...

 

[srspicer]

Hi All,

I have the Ped. PA rifle.50 cal. Extremely happy with it.!! :thumbsup:

As far as making it more authentic, my limited understanding is as follows; these rifles were made to be fuctional, not fancy. Engraving added cost, inlays and brass plates reflected sunlight, not good for hiding from Indians or French or English! There may be some shape and form issues with your particlar Ped, but I would keep it plain to be more in keeping with the period.
(Just my two cents)
I use the gun for reenacting and it has never let me down.

Regards,

Scott

 

[tg]

Brass patch boxes and furnitur was the norm on guns form the last quarter of the 18th century, there as no concen in general as to making these guns simple and plain most were quite the opposite, the modern non-PC ones are made plain to cut costs, compare a Pedorsoli Penn rifle with a Chambers lancaster and it all comes together real quick, one is a HC replica the other is a very generic gun which from a distance loosely looks like some of the guns carried in the past.

 

[J.D.]

tg is right on. There simply isn't enough wood to remove on production guns to do anything worthwile. Removing any wood from a vast majority of these guns would make 'em look kinda funky for no purpose.

All of the original 18th century guns I have seen are much more meaty in the buttstock and wrist. It is common for a 1770's vintage longrifle to have a buttplate that is 1 3/4- 2 inches wide X 4 3/4 - 5 inches high, for example. You don't find that on production guns.

 

[tg]

The truth about many production guns can be upsetting to those who were not aware of how little they follow the originals, but don't let it bug you, they are used by many in many events except for the strictly juried ones, enjoy these guns and your journey in this hoby and let the guns be just one of many learning experiences that we all share as we grow in our understanding of the past, I shot some of my best scores and often placed in the top three with CVA Kentuckies, or an old Navy Arms Kentucky a dozen or more years ago.

 

[LRB]

These guns have a chambered breech plug. It seems to help greatly especially in flintlock, if the chamber is drilled out larger. REMOVE THE VENT FIRST, before removing the plug, if you decide to do this.

 

[davy]

I agree with Wick .. My Ped Frontier was drilled out & performed much better.. more reliable! :thumbsup:

Davy