Who can finish a kit?

[brianstewart]

After talking to several rifle makers it looks like I'm a year to a two year wait to get a rifle. I'm wanting to elk hunt with a flintlock next year. Either I get a kit and finish myself which I'm afraid to mess it up or try to find a one that I like. Or have someone finish one for me that isnt backed up and send them the kit. Do you guys have any recommendations? I'm wanting to do an Isaac Haines with a metal patch box and some light carving and engraving but nothing super elaborate.

 

[Cruzatte]

As I see it Brian, you have two choices;

1. postpone next year's elk hunt and commission the rifle of your dreams or,
2. get a Kibler rifle. It won't be an Isaac Haines, but if you spend your time wisely, and work slowly you'll have a rifle to be proud of.

Best wishes.

 

[64Springer]

If elk hunting is more important than waiting, buy a kit and finish it.

You'll get a twinge shooting a gun that you had a hand in building.

 

[VA Hawken]

Not really a "kit" response, but AZ Muzzleloaders has a couple of used .54 Flintlocks for sale.

 

[Dave Marsh]

Ditto on a Kibler kit.

 

[2 shots]

ditto, ditto on the kibler... get a nice .58

 

[andy52]

I've finished kit guns in the past some are easier than others. I haven't finished a Kibler but most say it's about as easy as a kit gets.

 

[brianstewart]

I've looked at the Kibler kits but they don't offer an Isaac Haines. I don't have a problem finishing one it's the carving that I think would give me problems.
As for skipping a year elk hunting that's not going to happen. Out of 22 years I missed once for a death in the family and one due to a serious injury but other than that I've been very fortunate to make it.

 

[64Springer]

Gunbroker is littered with muzzleloaders.

Grab one. Tear it apart. Rebuild it. Make it your own.

Then have fun playing whack an elk.

Really wish I had the chance to hunt out west.

 

[kansas_volunteer]

Not really a "kit" response, but AZ Muzzleloaders has a couple of used .54 Flintlocks for sale.

I've done business with AZMuzzleloaders. He's honest. You'll get a fair deal from him.

 

[user 34300]

Kibler is the highest quality rifle available on the mass market. There is no room for improvement of any aspect on a quality basis. You may want different sights for hunting. IF you want a brass patchbox on the Colonial, Chambers sells a domed brass patchbox that looks really good. Kibler will cut you a stock with no cut out for the wooden patchbox. Kibler can arrange for a rifle to be finished for you by a third party.

The Colonial is a big rifle. 58 or 62 cal may be helpful for mobility. The Woodsrunner may be nicer to carry if the calibers suit you.

 

[azmntman]

Go to muzzleloaders.com and choose a .54 kit for $600.00 and just put it together quick and do as decent a job as you have time for, whack the elk then sell the gun to one of us and we will redo to our liking!

 

[user 34300]

One thing to consider with a flintlock is reliability. Reliability costs. If you buy a top quality lock your chances are better to actually kill the elk. Any money saved on the lock may be inconsequential when you have a misfire on your elk. I know I would be extremely disappointed to miss my chance because of a junkie mass market flintlock. IF it is really a money thing get a caplock in cheap gun. I would not use any of the mass market price point flint locks on a hunt that matters.

My first flintlock deer took three tries to get ignition. That was the original TC flintlock in 1975. I see little improvement in the mass produced cast lock wonders today.

 

[brianstewart]

Yeah I totally understand on quality parts. I think $1800 or so would get a quality kit.

 

[Loja man]

By the Kibler, do a simple build, have it for your elk hunt and then sell it

 

[brianstewart]

They don't offer an Isaac Haines or I would consider it.

 

[64Springer]

I would by a gun, paint it purple, cover it in my little pony stickers and go elk hunting before I got hung up a builders name.

 

[50calBoone]

Contact PathfinderNC and ask him if he would do one for you . He has done many Kiblers and they look amazing !

 

[Mulebrain]

I would check with Jim Chambers, and they have a Isaac Haines

https://www.flintlocks.com/rifles02.htm

 

[nchawkeye]

Couple of questions, what caliber do you want? Why are you so set on an Issac Haines?? And an observation....You can hunt with a rifle that has not been finished, get the rifle, put it together and do the carving and finishing after you kill your elk...