TVM rifles

[faste350]

anyone dealt with them? sitting fox isn't looking too good. thinking of ordering one in the white from tvm.

 

[AWsaddles]

I have a finished rifle from them built by Jack Garner and I have also built a couple from their parts sets. Nice folks to deal with and also handled a problem I had with one parts set in a quick and timely manner. I would order again if they had something I was looking for.

 

[Alden]

I'd be more likely to buy a basic-wood model kit from them than to order a higher-level finished gun as, IMO, the more you spend there the less you get from the good ol' boy.

 

[fahopity]

I have two TVM rifles, one is their early Lancaster built by Matt Avance, the other their Southern rifle that I bought in kit form and put together myself. Both are great IMHO. My thoughts are that TVM makes a good product for a reasonable price and they are good folks to business with. If you want to see them search my name and their are pics of both on this forum.
Good luck to ya.

 

[Zonie]

Alden:
I'm curious.

Have you ever built a longrifle?

The ones I have built taught me that finishing the stock and metal parts is one of the major areas that take a lot of time to do right.

Things that take time rapidly add to the final cost.

While TVM does a few things I don't think are the best ways of doing things, almost all of the people I've seen who commented on the guns made by TVM were very positive.

For the person who wants to save a bit of money and then use their own time to do the final finishing they sell "In the White" guns that are fully assembled but left unfinished.

 

[Alden]

"Built" means differnt things to different people just as different kits can have different level requirements. But yes.

I recommended a TVM kit too. And might even order one of their no-frills, base-model, guns sight unseen. Just wouldn't trust them for anything beyond that from experience. I don't put so much value in down home country goodness that I actually want to be overcharged for anything else. I also think a maker should pay attention to requests, get things right, and be appologetic when they don't.

Maybe that's just me...

 

[kaintuck]

Got my 1st 50calfrom them......in the white kit.....still love it, GM barrel, one hole at 50yds...... :grin:

 

[faste350]

Alden:
I'm curious.

Have you ever built a longrifle?

The ones I have built taught me that finishing the stock and metal parts is one of the major areas that take a lot of time to do right.

Things that take time rapidly add to the final cost.

While TVM does a few things I don't think are the best ways of doing things, almost all of the people I've seen who commented on the guns made by TVM were very positive.

For the person who wants to save a bit of money and then use their own time to do the final finishing they sell "In the White" guns that are fully assembled but left unfinished.

i have not built a long rifle, however i have built a trade gun and put together many kits. buying one"in the white" is what i'am looking for.
i want to do the final finishing on the gun.

 

[hanshi]

Matt has built several flinters for me over the years and they really are great. I've also got a caplock rifle from another builder that I hold in high regard. For some time I've had a hankering for a NSW canoe gun kit. I'll scratch that itch one day. I think TVM and NSW are tops for kits.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

I would contact Tip Curtis about a rifle in the white. I own 3 rifles and one smoothbore from TVM and I would NEVER recommend them to anyone. The rifle I bought from Tip is head and shoulders above any one of the TVMs I own in quality and historical accuracy.

 

[Black Jack]

I own 3 rifles and one smoothbore from TVM and I would NEVER recommend them to anyone.

I have always heard mostly good comments about both Tip Curtis and TVM. I have to ask why you bought four guns from TVM if they were so unsatisfactory that you would NEVER recommend them?

 

[ChrisLJ]

I can get one hole at 50 yards every time.

I just stop after the first shot. :haha:

 

[54ball]

TVM builds a great gun for it's market. They are really the only game in town for a new US made muzzleloading rifle or gun in that price range.

But...

When you start to add on options the price can climb significantly compared to the base model.

So if a customer wants a decorated and historically accurate rifle, they may be better served by going to a good custom builder. The price may be a little more but often a little less compared to a full house TVM.

For you, a in the white TVM would be head and shoulders above Sitting Fox; that's their "bread and butter", a high quality base model gun made from the best components.

You also cant go wrong with Tip Curtis.

 

[flyfisher76544]

Great product and customer service IMHO. Give them a call, Toni will talk your ear off!! :haha:

 

[Alden]

TVM builds a great gun for it's market. They are really the only game in town for a new US made muzzleloading rifle or gun in that price range.

But...

I thought the same thing, and maybe that was true when I bought my first "custom" longrifle. Concluded TVM were the best value for what you got as you wanted it. May still be for a base model if you don't ask for too many things -- seems to confuse 'em. I won't reiterate the issues. They will try to subtley steer you into what they have been building for stock or make the most of on their garage assembly line. Definitely not the place today for advanced pieces.

If I were willing to settle for the model and specs I know now I'd have gone high-grade commercial. I have quite a few unique, custom, BP longuns none of which came from Matt.

I think the opportunity to walk around and look at various pieces is the way to go even if that's what you base a custom order on. You may find you go somewhere else...

 

[kopfjaeger]

I would contact Tip Curtis about a rifle in the white. I own 3 rifles and one smoothbore from TVM and I would NEVER recommend them to anyone. The rifle I bought from Tip is head and shoulders above any one of the TVMs I own in quality and historical accuracy.

Why would you buy three rifles from TVM if you weren't happy with them ?

 

[dcriner]

I have a .50 TVM early Lancaster which I think is fine. Looks great, but I went with a plain-Jane stock. I need to get out with it more!

 

[john p. madaus]

i to have plain stock early virginia .50 happy with it.

 

[kopfjaeger]

I have eight flintlocks all together, counting the one being built now. Three of them are TVM rifles, plus I have Matt building me another one now. Though their not 100% historically correct ( and TVM don't claim they are ) neither are some of the high priced flintlocks made by custom builders that like to bash TVM on other sites, they have to much ego, or jealousy. Or hate.

Matt will and can build you a HC flintlock if you want to really take the time to explain to him exactly what you want like I did with my Late Lancaster, and it will and should cost you more.

TVM makes a well built reliable accurate rifle. I have never had a problem with my TVM flintlocks being reliable and accurate. They use a lot if not all the same parts as the high price flintlock makers.

My interest is more with hunting with flintlock longrifles than reenactments. TVM are wonderful to do business with they are good, decent, nice, and helpful people.

I also own two Danny Caywood flintlocks, a Jackie Brown flintlock, and a Phil Cravener flintlock. All of which I like.

 

[kopfjaeger]

In my earlier post I was just curious why someone would buy four TVM rifles if he wasn't happy with the first or even the second one. :idunno: :idunno: :idunno: