I have been researching prices of this n that n tool costs & it just not add up in my favor. All the other per say kits cost as much as the Kibler WoodsRunner. I took a look at a bbl./lock/stock, that added up to almost 700 samolians. Throw in the rest of it plus shipping n taxes bbl./ramrod inletting. Its at least $1100. So if i just stop my impulse buying n save another $500 i can get a much better kit of Kibler's than i can do myself ! Most likely be this coming Spring. Well at least that is my plan.
Price of Kits
- Thread starter smokepolehall
- Start date
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You are a wise man. Your kit guns will stay the same value or depreciate, I see a Kibler kit (well done) only increasing in value. You should just need sand paper and maybe a file. Stain stuff can be inexensive if you know what yer doing (and I do not....yet)
I built 3 kits last winter. The last one was Kibler Colonial. The Kibler kit is outstanding. Probably pick up one of those quick ship kits they offer for a winter project this year.
BINGO.
Don't think Jim Kibler hasn't done the math too. It's a no-brainer in my book unless you just have to have something he doesn't offer....and he started a rumor himself recently that an English fowling piece will be added to the lineup soon.
He chimed in on another thread last week and put a time frame on the next release. Said something to the effect of give em 6 months.
Mike in FL
50 Cal.
The Colonial is my dream gun. Tomorrow, Monday, I will order the kit.
Go for it my friend.
You can’t get better. Track is great kits, but won’t be assembly ready unless you hire Track to do so
Sitting Fox the same
Parts is expensive, and cheaper kits won’t be the quality
He mentioned it in passing in his WR carving release video too, I almost think it was a slip! I wanted a trade gun from Kibler really badly since I finished my SMR, but none in the future at that time so I built my own and started in on another one with a Kibler lock. Looks like I'll have three, never can have too many single-barrel bird guns, can we?
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Its been my personal experience that anything really worth having, is really worth waiting for.
Not much has come easily in my life (apart from a successful Divorce) and no doubt like many others on this forum, I've had to save incrementally over months sometimes years to be able to lay the required money down for that elusive "one of" ML gun.
"All things come to he who waits" (Author unknown).
What caliber are we going with, today?
BillyC
Shooting my .45 better every time
Al kits are 10% off until the 31st, including quick ship.
Paul-in-PA
36 Cl.
Kibler kits are the best kits out their for a new builder, most other take varying degrees of building experience to do them justice. As Jim expands his selection of kits there will soon be something for most muzzleloadening folks. SMR not my cup of tea, Colonial is great, and Woodsrunner even better. As far as style, historical look, and caliber selection. Can't wait to see if he makes a smooth bore, and a Plains rifle / Hawkens at some point. Maybe he will even develop a percussion lock some day?
Unfortunely as Jim can turn out so many cookie cutter guns with his manufacturing process, you loose some of the "personality". That is where YOU as the builder come into play. Learn to carve, I am struggling with that right now. Go to shows and museums to see how you want to finish Jim's kits. That is part of the fun in this hobby.
My three words of advice:
1. Jim's kits are the best game in town for the newbie. Quality, price, and ease!
2. Do your research, take your time and you can have a very special semi-custom piece
3. Don't count on making money, all muzzleloaders - if used they depreciate in my opinion. Black powder and how we clean them put miles on these firearms. I feel if I can have enjoyment in building, shooting them, and I break even on the cost of the kit and finishing materials it is a win- win.
On my second Kibler build, a smooth bore Colonial. Wish I had a Woodsrunner instead (length as a deer hunter). Tempted to cut six to 8 inches off my Colonial, part of that customizing. Weight and length is a little too long and heavy for deer hunting in the woods of Pennsylvania. Or maybe just finish it, sell it and buy a Woodsrunner? But they are all the rage these days, especially with the carving option.
Unfortunely as Jim can turn out so many cookie cutter guns with his manufacturing process, you loose some of the "personality". That is where YOU as the builder come into play. Learn to carve, I am struggling with that right now. Go to shows and museums to see how you want to finish Jim's kits. That is part of the fun in this hobby.
My three words of advice:
1. Jim's kits are the best game in town for the newbie. Quality, price, and ease!
2. Do your research, take your time and you can have a very special semi-custom piece
3. Don't count on making money, all muzzleloaders - if used they depreciate in my opinion. Black powder and how we clean them put miles on these firearms. I feel if I can have enjoyment in building, shooting them, and I break even on the cost of the kit and finishing materials it is a win- win.
On my second Kibler build, a smooth bore Colonial. Wish I had a Woodsrunner instead (length as a deer hunter). Tempted to cut six to 8 inches off my Colonial, part of that customizing. Weight and length is a little too long and heavy for deer hunting in the woods of Pennsylvania. Or maybe just finish it, sell it and buy a Woodsrunner? But they are all the rage these days, especially with the carving option.
Paul-in-PA
36 Cl.
As far as caliber, my two cents are, what are you going to use it for? If you want to hunt deer, check your state hunting regulations. Are there muzzleloader caliber regulations?What caliber are we going with, today?
nchawkeye
58 Cal.
Too long for hunting in PA??? Funny, the originals were made for that.....
Paul-in-PA
36 Cl.
Try using from a tree stand or a ground blind.
All of my rifles (except TCs) had 42" barrels, my first flintlock has a 7/8" straight barrel in .44, it is a heavy rascal but once I got used to it, I didn't notice the extra weight until I made a sorta' Beck with a 42" swamped .54 barrel, then the 7/8" barrel feels like a telephone pole again.
I made a 12ga turkey gun Fowler with a 38" barrel; it is so handy that I decided to make my next rifle in the Haines style with a 38" Rice .54 swamped barrel. The resulting rifle is a joy to carry and hunt with.
A long boring story to say I agree with your wanting a lighter, handier rifle like the Woods Runner.
I made a 12ga turkey gun Fowler with a 38" barrel; it is so handy that I decided to make my next rifle in the Haines style with a 38" Rice .54 swamped barrel. The resulting rifle is a joy to carry and hunt with.
A long boring story to say I agree with your wanting a lighter, handier rifle like the Woods Runner.
nchawkeye
58 Cal.
I have, since the '70s...
Sounds like you have it all figured out, Good luck and keep us posted.
