What brands would you not recommend and why?

[Flintlock Whiskey]

The answer to your questions is dependent on how much money you’re willing to spend. But for a low budget I’d say Investarms, mid budget a Kibler, and high budget would be a custom build. Which, as has been said, is not always without issues. For cap&ball, they can can all have issues out of the box. No golden keys on this.

This.
They are "primitive" weapons by design. They will have their quirks.
Or as my late Uncle would say: their own personality.

 

[jd945043]

People don't like Tradition rifles because they are not really copies of anything. And the flintlocks on all My Tradition rifles were Doo Doo. Switch them for Drop In L&R locks and now I have some good rifles. Had to do the same thing on an Old Pedersoli.

 

[Paul-in-PA]

What I like to say is it depends. For reenactors Pedersoli is the best mix price and functionality, but not a quality accurate piece. I really like the T/C, especially the Pennsylvania Hunter and the Firestorm, for hunting. But alas they are no longer made. Been looking at a Lyman for hunting? But then I have gotten into semi-custom, like the Kibler rifles. Parts availability has always been my concern, I have already had to make repairs and fit some of the available parts for my Pedersoli's; but Chamber's locks have been around for a long time and are supported. Unfortunately I look at archery and muzzleloaders as tools then collector's items. They are more subject to to wear and tear, and how well the individual takes care of their equipment. Unlike modern smokeless firearms, which are much more lenient of a lower standard of maintenance.

Side story, I don't know how many times I have stopped into a gun store seen a blackpowder firearm be it a flintlock or in-line got interested and then checked the bore with a ramrod and it was still loaded. First thing I ALWAYs do when handling a used muzzleloader check to see if it is loaded.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

You get what you pay for. Traditions can’t be compared to a custom that cost five to ten times as much.
However it puts ball an target, looks good and is a hoot to shoot.
There is always snobbery
However I’ve gotten good products from crazy crow. I have a indan made knife from crazy crow that’s every bit as good as the American made knife that looks the same I got from Townsend’s
Generally the more you spend the better your product is. And a flint lock on the cheaper gun may be frustrating to use. But replacements are avalible for that

It is true that replacement locks are available, but they run over $200.00. Add that to the price of a Traditions rifle priced at $400.00 to over $600.00 and you are better off buying a quality used rifle or a decent kit. And you won't end up with a "select hardwood" stock with all the appeal of a 2x4.

 

[mmb617]

Flintlock Whiskey - May I ask where the second quote in your post #40 came from? It has my username on it but it wasn't posted by me.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Flintlock Whiskey - May I ask where the second quote in your post #40 came from? It has my username on it but it wasn't posted by me.

I don't know what happened. I quoted your post and wrote my entry. For some reason it wound up posting with your name.

 

[Rifleman1776]

CVA. No way. My opinion of their products is not fit words for a family forum.

 

[tenngun]

It is true that replacement locks are available, but they run over $200.00. Add that to the price of a Traditions rifle priced at $400.00 to over $600.00 and you are better off buying a quality used rifle or a decent kit. And you won't end up with a "select hardwood" stock with all the appeal of a 2x4.

I think that’s true for a rock in the lock, nipple huggers won’t be a problem.
I’ve seen some God Awful originals.
Any time you make a purchase you have to weigh your needs against cost against aesthetics
I’ve owned some good old CVA. They were great starters.
I’ve been playing this game all my life and have yet to own a fine gun. Don’t think my finances will ever let me.
#1 rule get the best you can afford
#2 don’t let cost stop you from enjoying the game

 

[Magungo1066]

Not the entire brand but one particular product...Hoppes #9. I know its iconic and works well but it is poison in a can. Give me Ballistol or Rem Oil if no Ballistol.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Guess I must be in the lucky camp

I am zero for two in the last 30 years.
Thats what soured me.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

I am zero for two in the last 30 years.
Thats what soured me.

Yikes! That IS a bummer!

 

[Trapper Scott]

As you can tell by now, many prefer one over another for various reasons based on their experiences. I've never been a brand snob on any type of firearm. I buy what I want and can afford at the time. I've got three Traditions rifles, one Perdersoli, and two Thompson Centers among various other no-name brands with my latest being a Kibler SMR I just finished up. All of them have their quirks, except the Kibler but that's a premium rifle kit, so you wouldn't expect issues with it. My advice for a beginner is to buy the best you can afford that suits your taste.

 

[NorthFork]

I'm gonna ruffle me some feathers here......

I've seen crap Traditions, Investarm/Lymans, Pedersoli's, CVA, Pedersoli/Lymans, just plain Investarms, ArmiSport, Palmetto, Uberti/Colt, and just plain Uberti's. I've also seen PLENTY of crap so called 'customs'. I own a Chambers lock that barely sparks for example.

My sample size of two (soon to be three) Pietta's have been flawless. Yet I'm quite sure that there are plenty of crap Pietta's out there too.

My point is that the customs are relatively low in production numbers, yet there's plenty of poorly made examples out there. The production guns numbers are much higher, so you would expect to find more lemons from them. I will say I own more Traditions, CVA, Investarm/Lymans and Pedersoli's than customs. The two brands that cause me the least headaches are Traditions and Investarms.

Moral of the story is, unless you can inspect first, buyer beware!

 

[Frontier's]

I'll take a traditions all day long over a TC or lyman. Pedersoli while more attractive, just have had too many issues, especially with frizzens breaking off. Plus they dont shoot any better.

 

[NorthFork]

I would also like to add that the T/C's I own are no better or worse than the Investarms/Lymans. And yes, I've seen some flat out junk with T/C as well.

 

[Stantheman86]

Recent Pedersoli military muskets and rifles are light years ahead of what they used to make because of the involvement of both Reenactor groups in America and Europe, and also European Match shooters. The rifles aren't rehashed Euroarms anymore and they make very good barrels . The rifles and muskets come with a varnish on the wood and they use a fake baked on Brown for some rifles but they're still "production" guns.

ArmiSport has always been pretty much the same, they feel like blank shoting rifles that can also fire a projectile but I'm happy with my ArmiSport CS Richmond.

If you want the best "production" repro military rifle and like Enfields, get a decent used Parker-Hale.

Pietta makes a good cap and baller , the arbor fit is correct but the fitting of internals can be iffy. Uberti's have the Short Arbor but have better fitted and quality internals. It's a toss up. I own lots of both.

I was interested in a Romano Rifle but his website got hacked or something, and I can't look at his stuff. They are apparently some of the best, I wanted a Tyler Texas rifle.

I have 2 Indian Muskets. For what they are, they are ok but you should probably avoid them unless you are comfortable with what you will receive. Plus the prices went up and they aren't worth it anymore vs an Italian repro.

 

[Frontier's]

I put all my cva and traditions guns up against every gun you could possibly see at a rendezvous. I haven't lost too many aggregate shoots or long range ( 200 yard ) shoots with my traditions.

If any of you cva traditions haters have any laying around, please send them to me, I'll pay for shipping.

 

[Frontier's]

And for those that think spending big bucks means you bought a quality piece....

 

[david58]

My knowledge and tastes far exceed my abilities. Or, as my grandpa would say, I have a champagne taste but a beer drinker's budget.

I have not cared for Traditions, and really do not like the two-piece stocks. It is easy for me to say today (it sure was different some years ago), but save up a few more bucks for an authentic, reliable piece. The Kibler kit is fantastic - almost anyone should be able to assemble one. Chambers kits are great, too, but a bit more skill is required. You spend a bit more, but where a Traditions rifle will hold steady its value, a Kibler or Chambers will grow in value unless you really manage to screw it up (and I think you would have to try).

A Kibler, if you want to dive in to flinters, is a fantastic value. It will fit up correctly, will finish out beautifully, will shoot center reliably, and could be the rifle handed down to your eldest child.

Again, I would not go with Traditions if there is any way for you to save up your nickels and dimes for a Kibler.

David
NM

 

[user 49399]

And for those that think spending big bucks means you bought a quality piece....

Wow! I had a $700 India made Fusil de Chasse for several years that was way better than that. I used it for squirrel hunting and plinking and never had a problem with it.