Author Topic: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle  (Read 6355 times)

Offline MuskratMike

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2196
Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« on: September 23, 2018, 10:14:25 PM »
Just thought you all might like to see this fine .40 caliber SMR that Jim Kibler made for me starting with one of his fine kits. To this he added a period correct patchbox with my family name engraved with period correct font a toe plate and a beautiful piece of figured wood. It shoots like no rifle ever that I have had.
 Will be taking it out to the wilds of Eastern Oregon to try and harvest a Mule Deer. Yes I know it is light for deer but I have developed a very accurate load, limiting my shots to 60 yards or under and on standing animals only.
 After receiving this rifle I sold my caplocks and currently have Lowell Haarer creating a rifle in .54 for next years deer and elk season.
If you want a SMR I can not express how happy I am with this rifle. Working with Jim was a true pleasure. No matter whether you buy his fine kit or get it finished in the white you will not be disappointed. I was fortunate enough to sweet talk Jim into completing the rifle for me.
If you buy the best you will seldom be disappointed.
I will post pictures of the Haare rifle when it arrives next summer.







"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline p.d.

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 100
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2018, 10:21:29 PM »
It is indeed a beautiful rifle.  Congratulations.

Offline wattlebuster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2048
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2018, 10:42:32 PM »
Very sharp. I like it ;D
Nothing beats the feel of a handmade southern iron mounted flintlock on a cold frosty morning

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13235
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2018, 10:54:56 PM »
Nice, I like the antique job he did on it, really warms it up.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Tony N

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 539
  • Rabbit Hash,Ky
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2018, 11:09:05 PM »
Beautiful rifle!!

~Tony

Offline smylee grouch

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7668
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2018, 11:14:41 PM »
Very nice, Jim does very good work and as has already been said it is sharply executed but warm looking with the finish he used.

Offline Don Steele

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 668
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2018, 11:38:27 PM »
“Warm”....exactly my thought as well.
Jim really did an awesome finish on your rifle.
Southern Mountain Rifles ought to look and feel “ warm”.
Look at the world with a smilin' eye and laugh at the devil as his train rolls by...(Alison Krauss)

Offline Tim

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 161
  • Just an ordinary Guy from Alabama.
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2018, 01:55:01 AM »
Beautiful Rifle. The stock and metal look perfect. The patch box and toe plate are a great addition to the rifle.
Tim

Offline stubshaft

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 353
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2018, 03:15:35 AM »
Very well put together and accessorized.
I'd rather die standing, than live on my knees...

Offline Craig Wilcox

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2446
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2018, 06:20:13 PM »
Really nice rifle, great finish.  Jim does a wonderful job, and you were pretty smart getting one of his works.
Craig Wilcox
We are all elated when Dame Fortune smiles at us, but remember that she is always closely followed by her daughter, Miss Fortune.

Lead ball 54

  • Guest
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2018, 06:33:11 PM »
Hey Muskratmike very nice looking piece of art you have there I grew up about 40 minutes south of you and spent a lot of time in the high dessert around Sisters, Three creeks, Bend and Redmond area my dad shot the biggest Meuly I have ever seen in the Three creeks area don't know if that's where your going but hope you make some good smoke and draw blood

Offline Roughneck

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 68
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2018, 06:37:42 PM »
That's an exceptional rifle! Good luck on your hunt. I just picked up a Kibler southern mountain rifle and am dying to shoot it.

Offline MuskratMike

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2196
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2018, 07:33:56 PM »
To: Lead Ball 54, No I will be in a muzzleloader only hunt in the Fossil unit just north of Mitchell.
"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Lead ball 54

  • Guest
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2018, 07:52:24 PM »
Muskratmike isn't that near the John Day area if so that area hold some of the biggest Bulls in Oregon I think maybe post some pics when you get back

Offline hanshi

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5314
  • My passion is longrifles!
    • martialartsusa.com
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2018, 10:44:55 PM »
That is indeed a beautiful rifle; any deer would be proud to be shot with that rifle.  I want one in .45.
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Offline alacran

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2119
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #15 on: September 25, 2018, 12:40:25 AM »
Gorgeous wood, I too like the color. Making meat with it will just add icing on the cake. Good Luck
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline JohnnyFM

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 352
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #16 on: September 26, 2018, 11:56:08 PM »
She's a looker! Congrats!

Offline Don Adams

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 257
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #17 on: September 27, 2018, 03:02:30 AM »
Beautiful work!

Offline Pukka Bundook

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3364
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #18 on: September 27, 2018, 05:16:20 AM »
Really Fine work!

I really like these plainer pieces, they speak slowly to you...don't give you it all in one go!

Offline One Eye

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 71
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #19 on: September 30, 2018, 03:03:21 PM »
A subtle and elegant work of art.
Congratulations.
One Eye
"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace..."
 Proverbs 17:28

Offline old george

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 685
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #20 on: September 30, 2018, 10:01:32 PM »
I'm always afraid of scratching or dinging a masterpiece like that rifle.  My hunting rifles look like me old and scruffy.  ;D
I cannot go to Hades: Satan has a restraining order against me. :)

Offline Marcruger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3664
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #21 on: September 30, 2018, 10:31:19 PM »
A few thoughts:

1 - That is a gorgeous gun.  I cannot see how you could improve on it.  The finishes are exceptional. 

2 - A fun thought here - since Jim built it, then it isn't a kit gun is it?  Jim stocked it, and finished it.  :-)  I hope it has a big Kibler signature on the top of the barrel. 

3 - Lowell Haarer makes some absolutely beautiful rifles with an exceptionally warm feel to his finishes. I got to hold a few of his at the New Market show.  You have very good taste ordering one of his pieces of functional art. 

Thank you for sharing this beautiful rifle.  God Bless,   Marc 

Offline MuskratMike

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2196
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #22 on: October 01, 2018, 02:35:22 AM »
To Marcruger: just to be transparent it did start as a "kit" but Jim did complete all of the rifle and yes he did put his name on the top barrel flat.
Can't wait until my Lowell Haarer "Sparky's Nothing Fancy" rifle is done next spring or summer!
"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline Marcruger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3664
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #23 on: October 01, 2018, 03:45:28 AM »
I totally understood your meaning Mike.  I was playing the game, "When is a kit not a kit?"  The answer of course  (nudge nudge wink wink), is when Jim Kibler builds a Kibler kit.  :-D   

Offline bones92

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1176
  • If it was easy, everyone would do it.
Re: Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle
« Reply #24 on: October 01, 2018, 04:33:43 PM »
Wow.   Just... wow.   
If it was easy, everyone would do it.