TVM

[FelixD]

I have tried the search feature and cannot find anything so please excuse this question if it is redundent. What are your opinions of TVM rifles? I have shot only percussion guns until recently and now I'm interested in who builds good quality flint rifles that my beer budget can afford. Are there any other makers of similiar priced rifles and assumed quality?

 

[bnail]

Hey Felix, Give Mike Brooks a PM, that way you both can speak candidly; He, as a custom gun builder, can give you some good pointers on how much of that beer budget you'll need to get what you want. He's got about a two year wait list (about a 27 gun back log if I figured correctly) so you don't need to worry about any sales pitches.
That's my two cents any way.

 

[Swampman]

The TVM guns I've seen lately are pretty nice.
[url] http://www.earlyrusticarms.com/pricesanddescriptions.htm[/url]

Also makes some pretty cool stuff.

 

[marcstephen]

Here is a link to the rifle they built me. I like it. It's well built. As for Historical Accuracy...It's not quite there. Few details off. But, a really well built gun.
[url] http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/184170/[/url]

Marc Findlay
Luke 1:79

 

[3 stinky dogs]

TVM guns are great. I got one from them last Summer. If they don't have what you want in stock you will pay $100.00 down and the rest when your piece is completed. I called last week to ask about the shooting bags they sell as well and asked about the guns they had on hand and they sed they had a few. There service is excellent they are polite and they made my first custom (or semi custom) purchase a positive one. Give them a call it is well worth it. You can also ask a few members about the locks they use. Something about them being not exactly PC but you have options in that department as well.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

:hmm: Since there are 2 "TVM's" it's very difficult to tell which one the thread originator is inquiring of and which one each member is talking about in their replies.

Positive replies might give credit to the wrong company and negative replies could shun the wrong customers.

Not our fault though. I believe I would change the name of my business just to protect myself.......unless the other guy did better work than me and had better customer service :rotf:

 

[bnail]

Now I'm confused
Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders, right?
Aren't these the guys who made the "Yorktown" rifle, and also the "Grand rifle" a while back?

 

[Bob Riegl]

Try this for TVM . That's the site for Matt & Tony Avance. The other is TVM Manufacturing---owned & operated by Jack Garner ( the former originator of TVM)---one begat the other or the other way around???? As far as TVM is concerned you get what you pay for and wait interminably for. I have owned three TVM's---two were sold and I still have a beautiful Tennessee Po'Boy in .40 Flint---which I wouldn't part with. Would I wait for a year or more for one of their guns again NO!!!! For another thousand dollars or so I would rather order one from a more classic gun builder and be guaranteed that I will not see bad inletting and tool marks where they shouldn't be, and detailed in the classic manner. :hatsoff:

 

[3 stinky dogs]

I got mine from Mr. Garner. I didnt wait for a year as mine was in stock. My in letting was fine no gaps no tool marks. I had a good experience with them. There was another post from a gentlemen who ordered a high dollar Fowler from a custom maker and he waited a year and got a box of rusted gun. There are few things "custom" in this world that have quick turn around time

 

[oldarmy]

I like dealing with Jack Garner's TVM.
He is an honest gun builder and will build you a nice rifle for your "BEER" budget.
I bought one of his southern in the white it was $700 if I remember correctly. Liked it so much when he had a sale I ordered 2 kits.
They were 30% less then anything I have been able to find. Nice wood and quality parts.
All of TOTW patchbox kits are his and I would bet alot of the other metal parts they sell are made by him.
His Siler locks don't quite have the fit and polish that Chamber build locks have, but they work just fine.
However he does some things that some folks don't like.
He mills out the ramrod channel and uses a wood screw instead of a tangbolt :hmm:
You need to decide for yourself if these differences are that important when you compare prices and what you want to spend.
his ph#
ph# 662-286-5014

 

[bnail]

All differences aside, I'm just greatful that we have these independant shops turning out American made pieces. IMO, we need to turn away from the Foriegn manufacturers. First there was Italy, Spain and Japan, Then India made repros. What's next, Pakistani made Longrifles?
Look at our options so far:
TVM (both varients), ERA, Caywood, North Star West, etc. Regardless of our opinions, these folks are reachable, and turn out relatively decent firelocks.

 

[CrackStock]

This is a bit confusing, but there are two TVMs.

There is Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading which is owned by Matt and Toni Avance.[url] http://www.avsia.com/tvm/[/url]

Then there is Tennessee Valley Manufacturing which is owned by Jack Garner.[url] http://www.tennesseevalleymanufacturing.com/[/url]

Both are located in Corinth, MS and build similar guns and are operated by very good people.

Yes, Jack owned a company named TVM and sold the rifle making part to Matt which was called Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading so he could concentrate on producing components. A few years went by and he has been selling more kits and also has someone building rifles for him as well.

In spite of how the names are listed on the forun Links, both currently sell components and guns.

I have guns from both and like them quite well.

CS

 

[3 stinky dogs]

Man I didnt even know that wood screw's were undesirable on thees guns. I like it. It shoots great , alot better then I deserve. I agree with Skagun. I am verry pleased that my gun is made in the USA and not china Spain or ware ever else they make them

 

[CrackStock]

"uses a wood screw instead of a tangbolt"

Now that part, I do not like. But then, it is not all that hard to correct.

CS

 

[akapennypincher]

What are your opinions of TVM rifles?

Last time TVM showed up in PHX for the NMLRA Big Winter Shoot was 98, or 99. They had about 50-60 Rifles & Smoothbore For Sale.

I would use one word to describe what I saw. INCONSISTENCY. :bull:

Save you dollars for a Caywood Smoothbore, or Rifle. IMO...

 

[Old Charlie]

I have noticed that only the gun builders don't like TVM. I wonder why? I Have a TVM lancaster abd love it.
Old Charlie

 

[PvtC]

TVM builds a lot of them. The quality of guns for sale at events may not be typical. They are in inventory maybe not for the best reason. :hmm: This TVM thread is often repeated on this and other boards. The consensus seems to be that if you order one to your spec's and wait 6-18 mos the workmanship will probably be satisfactory for the price. I now believe that if you want good components properly shaped and finished your budget has to be at least 2K$ for a plain long gun and you better be prepared to wait a year cause the good builders have plenty of backlog.

 

[bnail]

I have noticed that only the gun builders don't like TVM. I wonder why? I Have a TVM lancaster abd love it.
Old Charlie

I reckon OC that you've answered your own question here. IMO The best builder will have the most critical eye. If a gunsmith said he doesn't like a particular builder's work, then I'll not discount his opinions out of hand.
since you have a TVM, and you like it, that's fantastic, but don't take offense when the minutia is laid on the table for a bare bones critique. No one's judging you, your judgement or your rifle. :winking:

 

[oldarmy]

Its fair to disscuss the quality of makers firearms. As long as it's not a personal attack on builder.
I don't want to be Banned
I think there are a number of different markets for flintlocks
Some people-God bless them- can afford to spend $2000 and up for a custome made one of a kind truly made rifle and wait 2 years
Other people can't,but still want an American made rifle
That's where builders like Jack come in.
A nicely made-with shortcuts- rifle priced at $750 to $1000.. hardly inexpensive,
In addition, I am sure he will put a tang bolt in, instead of the "wood screw"

 

[Maestro]

I have a TVM (M. Avance) 20 ga. fowler. I bought it from Chuck Dixon a couple of years ago (no wait - it was in stock.) My intent with this gun was not to have the most PC gun of its' kind but for a hunting gun. (I also feel better about taking a $900 gun in the field as opposed to a $2500 gun!) Its' large Siler lock sparks well and with T. Fuller flints, is very reliable. Maybe someday I'll replace it with a more correct fowler for my impression, but for now, it serves its' intended use very well. :hatsoff: