Thoughts / Recommendations

[roundball]

I had a .58cal Early Virginia built to my specs by TVM and it's great, took a couple of good bucks with it this season, etc...and am interested in having them basically build a twin using a .62cal smoothbore barrel and Chambers deluxe Siler lock.

But out of concern over TVM's backlog / scheduling with turkey season coming up in the near spring I'm thinking out loud about possible alternatives...wondered if anyone has a feel for the quality of the work of another TVM in Corinth...Tennessee Valley Manufacturing?

 

[rabjr]

Beware anyone who does not have a list of builds to do. All the good builders are probably backed up at least 6 months to 2 years. The only ones I would trust probably have a year or two wait. I guess you could try bribing your way up the list though. :hmm:

 

[GregC]

Bill,

Why take the chance? That .58 Matt and Toni built for you is gorgeous. I just received a .54 Iron Pa that is gorgeous and just getting ready to receive my .45 cal Southern from TVM that I am sure will also be gorgeous. Heck, 5-6 months fly past in no time right? If you have too, hunt another year with your TC Smoothie. I think you will be dissappointed if you settle for something else.

Just my .02.

 

[roundball]

You may be right...just asking around to see if any other viable options may surface...given I have the .58cal for deer, the .62cal smoothbore's role would only be shot loads was really hoping to have it for the spring Turkey season

 

[Dave K]

Yes, they know you and what you expect in a gun now. You have deminsions that are yours and yours alone. So they would know what you want. The quicker you act, the quicker it has a chance to being here on time.

 

[texcl]

If I were to get a fowler built now, I'd have Mike Brooks build me one or have a chambers english fowler or the colonial fowler built I just love the way they look espeacially the english fowler, it is so simple and elegant as far as Virginia rifles go the mark silver aint too shabby of course none of this will help with the wait since you'll have to get a good builder to put it together, that's one of the things that apeals to me about building, of course my guns never turn out as nice as any of these other fine fellow's guns.

 

[roundball]

Yes, they know you and what you expect in a gun now. You have deminsions that are yours and yours alone. So they would know what you want. The quicker you act, the quicker it has a chance to being here on time.

No arguement that would probably be the most sensible thing to hope for in the long run...

 

[roundball]

fowler

Hooked on the Early Virgina style right now...the stock dimensions of a Mark Silver EVA match the average dimensions on a few T/C Hawkens with longer LOPs that I've accumulated over the years and I know those in particular fit right, so those are the specs I used for the .58cal Virginia TVM built for me...and it fits perfectly so I essentially want another one just like it, except in .62cal smoothbore for shot loads.

 

[Capt. Fred]

Could they do the lock, barrel, trigger, and butt plate and you'd do all the small parts, final shaping and finishing? Would be a lot of fun if you've got the space and time. :hmm:

 

[roundball]

Oh good gracious no...I don't have any of the following:

1) Space
2) Time
3) ToolS
4) Skills
5) Patience

:grin:

 

[Capt. Fred]

Detective Harry Callahan- "A man's got to know his limitations." :grin:

 

[texcl]

Ha! well at least you know your limitations, I like my TVM virginia, I just like to own different models I guess. When the belt loosens up I plan on building another smoothbore, maybe a dunlap fowler if they are in production.

 

[roundball]

I like my TVM virginia, I just like to own different models I guess.

And I understand that...I've just always leaned the other way all my life...after the initial couple years of trying singles, doubles, pumps, and autos, I settled on and built up a battery of shotguns all with the same style & feel, operated the same with parts all in the same place...all Remington Model 1100 .410/.28/.20/.12ga shotguns, plus Remington 1187 Turkey, 1187 Deer, and 1187 Trap guns...sort of a "family" or "system" approach. Did the same thing with Remington model 700 bolt action rifles and S&W wheel guns regardless of calibers.

Got into muzzleloaders and stayed with T/C Hawkens for almost 18 years...all sorts of calibers and smoothbores using T/C and GM barrels.
Now it's the Virginia style...IMO, basically not much more than a full stock T/C Hawken on steroids...the only real difference to me being the beautiful stocks that you can get on a custom.

So I already have the .58cal as a deer rifle...will get the .62cal smoothbore next year for turkey & squirrels, then retire the year after that. I'll be selling off all the rest of my centerfires next year and if the interest level in hunting & shooting is still there as I approach retirement, roll those proceeds over into a 3rd Virginia in a smaller caliber like a .45 and just have the three firearms...use them a few years then hang them over the mantle, sell them, etc. For me, I mainly like a set of guns to all look, feel, and operate pretty much the same way...

 

[Cheyenne]

You might consider contacting Jackie Brown. My smooth rifle has the same furnature as your TVM VA,ie-buttplate and trigger guard....Jackie's basic stock shape is a close match to the TVM gun, and he turned mine around in less than 3 weeks. Click on my name, then look under topics by user, adn then look for New Smoothbore to see photos of Jackie's gun.

can't figure how to post a direct link, or I would. :cursing:

 

[roundball]

Thanks, I'll look into it...

 

[mazo kid]

........But out of concern over TVM's backlog / scheduling with turkey season coming up in the near spring I'm thinking out loud about possible alternatives...

Bill, have you contacted them yet? They might just have something built up in stock. I know when they go to rendezvous, shows, etc. that they have guns on display for sale. Just a thought...Emery

 

[roundball]

No such luck, their standard stock dimensions don't fit me...plus, I already have the lock and barrel which I've also had Jug Choked...just need to get a stock cut to my specs wrapped around them :wink:


:hmm: :hmm: ...I guess I COULD temporarily duct tape the barrel to a 2'X4' and use it as a "handgonne" for the spring turkey season

 

[MikeC]

I'd wait for the builder you want. Been waiting over a year now, should only be another week or two. :grin:

 

[roundball]

I had a .58cal Early Virginia built to my specs by TVM and it's great, took a couple of good bucks with it this season, etc...and am interested in having them basically build a twin using a .62cal smoothbore barrel and Chambers deluxe Siler lock. But out of concern over TVM's backlog / scheduling with turkey season coming up in the near spring I'm thinking out loud about possible alternatives...

Well, after considering the pros & cons of various replies here...and weighing the uncertainties of trying to find / start up with another builder just in hopes of meeting a spring turkey season deadline, I decided to go with TVM again...the .58cal Virginia they built to my specs fits like a glove, is easy on the eyes, and gets the job done without question...and that's really the bottom line objective.

As a strong believer that there's no substitute for hands-on experience, with TVM just having built the .58cal Virginia stock dimensions to my specs...and having all the info on file at their place, coupled with knowing that TVM stands rock solid behind their work, in the final analysis TVM became the best overall choice.

Not being able to use their standard default stock specs and having the stock actually built to custom fit dimensions steps outside their normal manufacturing process, adding some more labor time to the cost and I'm fine with that as there's nothing like having a gun fit properly.

Simply going to have the .62cal smoothbore built as a twin to the .58cal rifle (Rice barrel, Chambers deluxe, and Davis triggers) with the only difference being aged steel furniture instead of brass...packing the lock & barrel today to ship tomorrow, and am including TOW's wider steel front sight to use in the build right from the beginning.

Thanks for the suggestions / recommendations...