AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Jim Kibler on May 03, 2025, 08:36:41 PM
-
We've been spending a good bit of time on the Hawken project. Pretty much everything is designed and components are being programmed for production. The first stock should be run in a couple of weeks. There is still LOTS of work to be done, though. I think a fall release is reasonable. Here are a few shots of the completely designed stock:
(https://i.ibb.co/ZR6P6TFm/Screenshot-2025-05-03-131528.png) (https://ibb.co/TDBSBh7L)
(https://i.ibb.co/GfsBYY4y/Screenshot-2025-05-03-131852.png) (https://ibb.co/rKbT88RY)
(https://i.ibb.co/PpkrrB0/test-hawken-render-v5.png) (https://ibb.co/22JFFXH)
(https://i.ibb.co/MxSyJSRX/test-hawken-render-v1.png) (https://ibb.co/Hf4L94rJ)
As an aside, the stock and all components were completely designed inside of our CAD software. No physical models were made, no digitizing or scanning etc. This is a first for us and has been pretty revolutionary for us as a business. This has really allowed us to iterate much faster, resulting in a better product and the whole process has gone much faster as well. I have some additional upcoming kits designed as well.
-
Show’s promise. It will sell well I’m sure.
-
Quite nifty!
-
Looking good.
-
Show’s promise. It will sell well I’m sure.
Promise? Ha!
-
Great looking gun, Mr K.
I believe I posted here back about 2017 if you came out with a Hawken, I would have to sell my motorcycles and get one or two.
Welllll
Sold bikes in 2018 ,dealt with throat cancer and other stuff
Still hacking on these ol smokies
Halleluhah!
Got money now!
Looking forward to getting at least one.
Thanks for your efforts to keep our lifestyle alive.
Best regards
Dave F 8) 8)
-
Is the patchbox authentic to an original rifle?
I have seen several, in person, and in pictures, but I am not sure I have ever seen one quite like that.
Would you offer it without the patchbox?
-
Yes, patchboxes are common on original Hawken rifles. They vary quite a bit, but designs like this certainly fit in the scope of original examples. There are several side opening boxes, some oval in shape as well.
I will probably offer the box as an option since it will take a fair bit of work to make. In order to keep the price down I think it will be best as an option.
-
Thanks Jim.
I might like it better when I see it on the real rifle.
-
Well at a first glance it looks like a very "normal" Hawken. Kibler Kits have the headstart in quality and fit. I guess this one will also be more handy and well balanced as you said. The forestock looks not so bolt... I guess the Advantages are not so easy to see, just handling will convince us?
110% trust from my side, just let me know when pre order starts...
-
It will no doubt be a quality kit but it deviates too much from a real Hawken for me, Modern shooters don't want to carry around a 12 lb. rifle so the light weight will appeal to them.
-
Simply amazing how the last two images make the rifle look like a real live one!
Bob
-
I love the concept. Although I respect the original Hawken as the tool of its time, I appreciate more its efficient design for hunting/ care, for the frequent shooter. Less so because...they are heavy and ...ugly. I love my Lyman GPR for that reason, I am eager to see the design progress...particularly in bringing it to a higher quality finish...like done on the fowler. Tough part is making room for it in my limited gun stable, with a few others needing to go for financing...granted, I dont need two Lyman GPR, and the Pedersoli gpr flinter is eclipsed by my Colonial....
-
Fantastic work Jim!!!
-
I have made a few Hawkens. None from kits. I have salvaged a couple of kits for friends that were on the way to wrecking them.
The only one that weighed 12 pounds, had a 39-inch .45 caliber straight sided one-inch atf. barrel. The only reason it weighed so much is that I placed a 1/2-pound piece of lead in the butt to help balance it. The one that I have kept is a .54 with a total length barrel of 37 inches including the breech plug.
it is also one inch across the flats. It has a solid under rib. I use a digital scale to weigh my rifles. This one, weighs 10 1/2 pounds.
-
Well at a first glance it looks like a very "normal" Hawken. Kibler Kits have the headstart in quality and fit. I guess this one will also be more handy and well balanced as you said. The forestock looks not so bolt... I guess the Advantages are not so easy to see, just handling will convince us?
110% trust from my side, just let me know when pre order starts...
It's hard to explain to those who don't haven't studied these things much. To be frank I could make pretty marginal gun in terms of design and they would still sell. A significant portion of our customers have never really studied original work, nor emersed themselves in high level contemporary work. They really don't understand what separates different levels of work. It's often not about amount of decoration, but shapes forms, designs etc. Things words don't explain well. Let me just say that I approach every kit we make as if I were making a high end custom rifle. There are things that separate an $8000-10,000 rifle from a $2000 gun.
As to this particuar project, I'm very pleased at how it's come together. I think the stock architecture and individual component designs are quite nice and come together very well as a whole. I believe it fits within the context of original Hawken or plains rifles, but is a step up from the average piece.
As to pure function, I think it will be a joy to use. It will handle great and with our careful production, it should function more like a fine English gun.
I hope this explains things a little.
-
I can't tell from the pictures, but were you able to get the lock panels to taper properly from front to back?
-
I am able to make the lock panels anyway I want. In this case I chose parallel to the bore centerline rather than tapered either direction. I think the rear taper seen commonly on original Hawken rifles is to help accommodate the difference between a large barrel breech and an often ridiculously narrow buttplate. I’ve chose to scale up the buttplate width a touch so it scales well with the barrel size. Further this eliminates the need for the weird stock width tapering hard as the buttplate is approached.
-
Jim, do have any idea of a pre order date?
-
We’re taking pre-orders, but aren’t taking any money. We’re working hard on this project and fall is still the target. Give Bree a call if you would like to get on the list. Thanks!
-
Thanks Jim I'll do that.
Appreciate all you do.
-
I'm no expert and think Mr Kibler is on the right track and it'll sell big time. after Hershel House making one I plan on ordering one from Jim