Questions about choosing a first full-stock flintlock.

[JDBraddy]

All of my current BP rifles are half-stock Hawken style rifles, and have been thinking about Maybe getting something different, would like something elegant, but practical for plinking and shooting off hand, was thinking about maybe a full-stock flintlock, .45-.54cal. and 6-7 lbs. but have no experience with such rifles and don't really know or understand all the options, or what my preferences would be.

Custom, Kit, production? Best locks, barrel profiles, stock styles, etc... I know these rifles seem to be quite a bit more expensive than the Hawken style production rifles.

Would be curious to hear any advice or reccomendations about choosing a first rifle of this style.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Kibler Woods Runner, clicks all the boxes and will be the last one you’ll need to buy. That means it’s cheaper than getting the rest!

 

[Dave Marsh]

I second Phil's recommendation. Can't go wrong.

 

[EC121]

What they said!!
Depends on your budget and wants.
A nicely done, used custom gun is better, but the cost goes up. The WR is a really nice gun. I assembled one in .54. It was light and fit me great. A smaller caliber would have a bit more muzzle weight for target shooting. For general plinking and hunting the .54 is lighter. Your call on the caliber.

 

[JDBraddy]

.54cal is tempting, because it's the only caliber I don't have yet, have rifles in .32, .36, .40, .45, .50, and .58cal.

What are the differences between the woods runner, the SMR, and Colonial?

 

[longcruise]

Just one observation; if you want it mainly for plinking and shooting at the range, go with something in a 40 or 45 caliber. To get to your desired weight will call for a swamped barrel and a slim stock. The Kibler SMR meets your parameters but there are others too. Might also be something in the classifieds that would work for you.

 

[sportster73hp]

.54cal is tempting, because it's the only caliber I don't have yet, have rifles in .32, .36, .40, .45, .50, and .58cal.

What are the differences between the woods runner, the SMR, and Colonial?

Check out his website or gallery photos. The smr is up to a 45 and colonial start at 50.
Visually the wr and colonial are similar, the colonial having a larger profile and longer barrel.

 

[wiscoaster]

..... Maybe getting something different, would like something elegant, but practical for plinking and shooting off hand, was thinking about maybe a full-stock flintlock, .45-.54cal. and 6-7 lbs. .....

The Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle would fit those requirements to a "T".

 

[rbeave]

Didn't want to jump on the kibler train too quick because I only have two flintlocks and both are kiblers. A .45 smr and a .50 woodsrunner. Either one of them would do you justice. My .45 smr is a very lightweight rifle but longer lop than the woodsrunner. For me that makes the woodsrunner a better cold weather rifle during hunting season when wearing more layers. WR is less demanding as far as form goes.. but the SMR has a better trigger. The Colonial is heavy from what I've read.

 

[wiscoaster]

..... The Colonial is heavy from what I've read.

I have both, and yes it is.

 

[olskool]

if you want different than you already have, elegant, light and to shoot offhand get a Kibler SMR in 45, I have built 19 Kibler's. most of them SMR they are the best! if you want one done or just don't have time or skills to do it send me a PM I can fix you up!

 

[morehops52]

You have at least 6 ML's already. Perhaps you want to move up and get a custom gun made to your specs. I studied the long rifles of the various German makers from Pennsylvania and found that a Lancaster rifle looked best to my eye and I had one made to my specs. Now I have my perfect rifle in .50 with a highly figured maple stock. One of the most important thing was I got a swamped barrel which makes it a dream to carry. The 38 in barrel has it balanced perfectly and it lighter than it looks. Yes it cost a bit more but I not only have a beautiful wall hanger but a family heirloom. Just something to consider.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

All of my current BP rifles are half-stock Hawken style rifles, and have been thinking about Maybe getting something different, would like something elegant, but practical for plinking and shooting off hand, was thinking about maybe a full-stock flintlock, .45-.54cal. and 6-7 lbs. but have no experience with such rifles and don't really know or understand all the options, or what my preferences would be.

Custom, Kit, production? Best locks, barrel profiles, stock styles, etc... I know these rifles seem to be quite a bit more expensive than the Hawken style production rifles.

Would be curious to hear any advice or reccomendations about choosing a first rifle of this style.

That can be a very tall order.

I like your choice of calibres, both will give you the lightest barrel for straitwall barrel profiles. With straitwall barrel, 6lbs-7lbs rifle is going to be a barrel length of 36”. Swamped barrel will give you a well balanced firearm, with a bit longer barrel.

I had this same dilemma when I ordered my very 1st semi-custom rifle. I ultimately fell to a .45 calibre, due to less resource consumption, as compared to my (then current) .50’s & .54’s. It also still allowed me to hunt deer sized big game in my state…and it was my 1st ever .45 calibre…

That .45 calibre rifle has a beautiful profile, curly maple stock, and has taken many deer over the years.

It was a fun journey…

Oh…given that same choice today…I’d go with a Kibler Kit. I’d skip the .45 calibre and go with a .40 calibre SMR.

If I were to go with a .54 calibre…it would be the Kibler WoodsRunner. Just sayin….

 

[bajabuc]

Not to knock Kibler...but several of the italian makers make full stocks...and they're assembled and cheaper..

 

[Ditt44]

Budget... and desire to do a kit or buy complete? I bought into 'long' guns by cheating and getting a Pedersoli Scout in .50 kit for about $800 delivered in late 2019. Prices are much higher now, nearly $1,000 for a finished one, at least via Dixie Gun Works. So in that regard, you are anywhere from 25 to 40% less than a Kibler or several custom shops in between but in many estimations, probably that fair percentage short of a 'proper' long gun.

If I were to get a full-length gun today, it would be a Kibler WR in .54. I held one and it felt fantastic to point and hold. I really like my Scout and no issues at all with it. I do prefer shorter guns and am currently head-over-heels in love with my PA Hunter Carbine. Now, as for a Kibler, funds are another story, as is approval from my far better half.

 

[Dave91]

Subscribe to new threads in the Firearms For Sale/Trade/Wanted forum on this site. You can get an email every time someone posts an ad until you find a rifle that fits your criteria. Many times they will sit and go down in price. I've gratefully acquired two awesome custom rifles from the classifieds here for quite a bit less money and zero of the effort required of a Kibler kit.

Alternatively, you could post a WTB ad in that forum describing exactly what you are looking for.

All of this is assuming you're not in a rush to get a rifle, becuase what I described above could take a while. If you want a rifle quickly and you don't mind paying the price and doing the work, Kibler is a great option.

 

[J.D.]

IMHO, the Woods runner can be the best of both worlds, as far as relatively light weight, the range of calibers you listed, and and it has a shorter barrel than the Colonial and the SMR, which reduces felt weight and the shorter barrel is a benefit when hunting. And, to top it off, Kibler offers the best lock in the business. Petersoli locks are generally pretty good, as far as production guns go, but the locks on other manufacturers, not so much. The main issue I have with Pedersoli rifles, and a lot of other mass produced rifles, is their patent breech system, which IMHO, really sucks.

Kibler kits do provide the makings of a very nice rifle that can become a family heirloom, if you have the skills and a few tools to assemble and finish the kit. Jim has produced a long list of fairly comprehensive, instructional videos on assembling and finishing his kits, which is a huge plus for beginner kit builders, if that is your inclination.

 

[SOLANCO]

I have two full stock flinters built by excellent custom builders and they are both of them joys to behold and to shoot.
That said, I plan on getting a Kibler SMR because I want to try my hand at building it.

 

[JDBraddy]

I'm not really ready yet, still need to do some homework and decide what to keep and what I can part with to raise funds.

Kibler WR/SMR definitely sound like strong candidates, both check the boxes, I don't regularly hunt, but feel/utility are what I crave, I love .45's but have four already and a selection of the smaller calibers, so for now am learning towards the shorter, larger caliber WR, but that may change back and forth more than a few times as I decide what to part with, and learn more.

Olskool, will definitely keep you in mind, Dave91 thanks for the tip on subscribing to new threads in the classifieds, I did that, and will keep an eye open as opportunities present themselves like the .54 cherry WR that sold in like 15min recently.

 

[Preacher]

I'm in the process of building a Kibler SRM, .36 cal. It's my first gun build, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the education, work, and even breaking through some frustrations on my own. It's a great sense of achievement doing something I once only thought about. I'm hoping to do another one. Based on your description and requirements, the SMR seems to be a great fit. Best wishes, and let me know if you go down this path and want to bounce ideas. Blessings ~