Problems with TVM fowler vent.

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Ya know, I feel your pain, just pointing out the " Captain Obvious " part of this whole mess.

It really is a shame as things such as this hurt the whole community, If I came off as accusatory it wasn't my intent.

I really don't have a dog in this fight as I purchase parts and assemble them, I don't buy the work of others as I cannot afford to, I wouldn't buy from just anybody, only those in the top of their game would get my hard earned money, so I build.

My other point is the fact that for the last several years ALL I have read is how TVM is the holy grail of builders, this forum alone is responsible for probably 60% of the sales in the last 4 or 5 years, for awhile it was as though they were the only builders. Guys that were buying them were blindly singing their praises even though it was not warranted.

They use nice wood, that looks pretty but does not cover up the fat girl under the dress so to speak.

I'll post pics of my barrel later tonight, very slight taper, but its there.

Good Luck

 

[Rifleman1776]

The only problem is you were happy with the gun for 2 1/2 years then suddenly became unhappy with it.
I agree, that kind of problem cannot be solved on a discussion forum.

 

[hanshi]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

True, you have to wonder on both counts......

Maybe we can chalk it up to "the learning curve"?

 

[hanshi]

I think it can be summed up with a few pointers.

1. If you know what you want and don't care about
the alternatives, then go with it.

2. If you don't know what you want, research a
bit and ask for knowledgeable advice.

3. If HC/PC is important do plenty research and
ask those who have knowledge in that area.
Just be sure to ask more than one "expert"
because no two of them will be in total
agreement.

4. If you have a specific complaint, contact the
builder, be detailed and suggest a recourse.


5. If you have a specific complaint, contact
the builder, be detailed and suggest a
recourse.

6. (see #4 and #5)
:thumbsup:

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Well said.

 

[Birdwatcher]

The only problem is you were happy with the gun for 2 1/2 years then suddenly became unhappy with it.
I agree, that kind of problem cannot be solved on a discussion forum.

Was I HAPPY with the gun? Not after Friendship, one month after receipt.

Unhappiness increased mightly this summer when I began to shoot it every week and the practical effects of weight and weight distribution began to sink in.

Why did I wait two years for that? So I could share the experience of learning how with my several nephews up in New York, which woulda happened in 2009 except for that poorly-set lock.

The vent and vent liner issue didn't help any.

You'll note nowhere here have I said "so I should get a refund".

My interest is this... everything I have written here is true. Already at least one poster here has written "I woulda have never thought to ask about the barrel".

Few people would in a quality flinter at this price point. Except those that read this know to now.

Turns out the vent issue is cheap and easy, not much to be done about the ramrod channel placement or the barrel tho...

...except to put this info out so people are aware of it.

Heck, if I was building quality finters I'd disclose everything, up front. Still no mention last time I checked of the lack of tapering on the octagon section on the TVM website.

Saying so doesn't "cheapen" anyone, any more than me commenting on how my Toyota got serviced at a given dealership would.

Birdwatcher

 

[rich pierce]

The barrel and the lock are the heart of a gun. Everybody should always know about the barrel and the lock for the gun they are going to purchase. If a builder does not offer specific information about the barrel they are going to use (maker, profile, etc) then I would beware.

For example:
On my Hudson Valley fowler I'll be using a custom Ed Rayl 12 ga round barrel, 54" long, 1.25" at the breech tapering sharply in the first 8" then gradually to the muzzle where the wall thickness is about 0.080.

On my 1760's English trade gun/fowling piece (sort of a tweener, nicer than the type G but barely) I will be using an Ed Rayl-made, .62 caliber octagon to round barrel, 1.25" at the breech (what I could get; I know it's thick) tapering sharply to a round section; wedding band will be hand filed as on originals and the octagon section of the barrel is only octagon on the top 5 flats- the bottom which is in the wood is round.

My Pennsylvania fowling piece after Fainot will feature a 52", .54 caliber Getz octagon to round barrel 1.1.25" at the breech tapering well to double wedding bands, thence to the muzzle where the wall thickness is closer to 0.100", suitable for buck and ball more than wingshooting.

My militia gun patterned after an original in the Old Stone Fort museum at Schoharie NY will have a 48" sharply tapered round DOM barrel in 20 ga. Wish it was 12 ga but am happy it's a DOM barrel as it's a cheap plain gun and is supposed to be and will be for my personal use.

I could go on as I have a number of smoothies planned but I'm embarrassed about how many barrels I have. :redface:

 

[Stubert]

Don't like the vent, don't like the inletting, don't like the barrel taper, Sell it and get something you like. It's still worth alot of money used.

 

[gizamo]

The only problem is you were happy with the gun for 2 1/2 years then suddenly became unhappy with it.
I agree, that kind of problem cannot be solved on a discussion forum.

Was I HAPPY with the gun? Not after Friendship, one month after receipt.

Unhappiness increased mightly this summer when I began to shoot it every week and the practical effects of weight and weight distribution began to sink in.

Why did I wait two years for that? So I could share the experience of learning how with my several nephews up in New York, which woulda happened in 2009 except for that poorly-set lock.

The vent and vent liner issue didn't help any.

You'll note nowhere here have I said "so I should get a refund".

My interest is this... everything I have written here is true. Already at least one poster here has written "I woulda have never thought to ask about the barrel".

Few people would in a quality flinter at this price point. Except those that read this know to now.

Turns out the vent issue is cheap and easy, not much to be done about the ramrod channel placement or the barrel tho...

...except to put this info out so people are aware of it.

Heck, if I was building quality finters I'd disclose everything, up front. Still no mention last time I checked of the lack of tapering on the octagon section on the TVM website.

Saying so doesn't "cheapen" anyone, any more than me commenting on how my Toyota got serviced at a given dealership would.

Birdwatcher

Frankly,

You been bitchin' about this gun for so long across so many different forums...not once on each...but many times. You seek opportunity to post your comments about this gun in others threads.

You have already informed everyone on the planet about your issues with TVM.

So now it is up to you to fix the Damn gun, and quit being a Damn Drama Queen...!

Get over yourself.....

Geeesh, Already............. :dead: :dead: :dead:

 

[Stubert]

You got the same gun that is in the picture, on their web site. Whats the issue?

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

..........
You have already informed everyone on the planet about your issues with TVM.

So now it is up to you to fix the Damn gun, and quit being a Damn Drama Queen...!

Get over yourself.....

Geeesh, Already............. :dead: :dead: :dead:

There ya go, someone finally said it! The original question was answered three times in the first three posts..... here and elsewhere. Thank you, Gizamo!!!
:rotf:

:rotf:

:rotf:

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

:rotf:BWUAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

You da Man

 

[Birdwatcher]

There ya go, someone finally said it! The original question was answered three times in the first three posts..... here and elsewhere.

Indeed it was .

Next question that came up, not brung on by me was was "has the barrel shifted"...

that took a couple of pages.

Halfway through, long after the first three posts, you yourself was asking.....

About the ramrod problems you have had, how is it that your ramrod "crumbled right below the brass tip before use"? What did you catch it on to cause it to crumble? What kind of wood was used for the rod?

..I answered....

Last point came up was "why didn't you do anything two years back?", answered that too.

As for the rest of the reactions, I'm really sorta indifferent. Ridicule is oft the resort of the weak-minded.

(OK, so is drama I know :haha: )

Tell ya what though, a couple of folks here learned that barrels really were tapered back then...

and...

... that friendly as it may appear over the 'net, "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) still applies in the custom/semi-custom flinter world.

If even one guy now knows to specify the taper of their barrel now, well then hey, I've done a service.

Heck, that one question alone even spawned its own thread here... :wink:

Birdwatcher

 

[Dave K]

So did you ever decide to DO SOMETHING about this gun? Some of the things can be fixed, like the vent. Some of the things like the barrel being tapered can't be fixed.But you can sell it and get it out of your mind and order one with the correct things that you have learned! Now, who would want to build this gun though?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Agree, agree, agree.

:dead: :v: :surrender:

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

As for the rest of the reactions, I'm really sorta indifferent. Ridicule is oft the resort of the weak-minded.

Yup you nailed it, any opinion that differs from yours or what you want to hear is the product of a weak mind.

... that friendly as it may appear over the 'net, "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) still applies in the custom/semi-custom flinter world.

Since when did buyer beware not apply.

You failed in doing your part, probably the most important part, You failed to do the research and ask the right questions.

You have your options, fix it, deal with it, or sell it and buy another.

 

[Birdwatcher]

Yup you nailed it, any opinion that differs from yours or what you want to hear is the product of a weak mind.

Nope, I said ridicule, even where merited.

 

[Birdwatcher]

So did you ever decide to DO SOMETHING about this gun?

Aint shot it fer two weeks due to other chores, posted here and one other board pretty much when the ignition problem became finally apparent during the last shooting session (sooner'n that and you tend to think its you, flinters are indeed a journey).

Had I said something right away and 250 rounds ago I might have had a case, so I don't expect TVM to take it back or anything.

Ideally I'd replace the vent liner with a blank and drill it low. Add a rear sight and like Hanshi, call it a smooth rifle. I can easily replace the non-inlet side plate with something early-Texas appropriate.

Been working up a hog/deer load for it anyhow.

Birdwatcher

 

[tg]

"You failed in doing your part, probably the most important part, You failed to do the research and ask the right questions.'

I would have to dissagree with that no one should have to ask a builder if their oct to round barrel is tapered or not, what next? is the barrel bored all the way from the breech to the muzzle, this is a class case of deciet by omission in order to hang onto a market share no matter how you spin it,and that is a really crappy way or running a buisness and cannot be justified by any amount of smoke and mirrors ifs, buts and maybes.