AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: smallpatch on December 10, 2017, 10:29:00 PM
-
Just thought I'd try one. Really nice little rifle.
In 5 hours, from box to ready to sand. Took about twice that long to finish.
15 hrs total.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2Fd7z5pb%2FIMG_0393.jpg&hash=297506f0aeaa6eb13b60d3a55bff80b089b3d4f4) (http://ibb.co/cMgJ9b)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FbHVd9b%2FIMG_0397.jpg&hash=5734f77d43f40a65c69a7ddb49e34542cc0edb7f) (http://ibb.co/gZr72w)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FccUiaG%2FIMG_0394.jpg&hash=b24bf188da51be9171ef8b8100f6ec7f44d218f6) (http://ibb.co/kESEhw)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FhVBkpb%2FIMG_0401.jpg&hash=5d58e4a3eb05f583a779a594424386721f8067ca) (http://ibb.co/gMj5pb)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FeX1wvG%2FIMG_0400.jpg&hash=93a147162aa8c3129842d6c4807ac7ddf2207428) (http://ibb.co/dshQpb)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2Fny0BUb%2FIMG_0399.jpg&hash=80ed7ff92ec2d6a182f120888753ec161b7761a1) (http://ibb.co/gvMwvG)
-
Pretty nice Dane! Can you tell us more about how you finished the rifle? I really like the high lights you brought out in the wood.
David
-
That rifle looks sooo nice. I want a kit in the worst way. The stock is a beaut.
-
I like it ;D
-
Dave,
A little tannic acid, ferric nitrate. Knocked back in the wear areas with skotchbrite and Chambers oil.
Three or four coats of Chambers oil, airbrush in the low places with some tinted spar varnish. When dry, knocked back again with skotchbrite, then 2 or 3 coats of spar varnish.
Simple!
-
Hi Dane,
That is the nicest Kibler kit I have seen yet. You mastered that warm, slightly aged look. Just beautiful!
dave
-
I must say that is a nice looking rifle; well finished. It makes me wonder why I bother to make everything from scratch.
-
That rifle looks sooo nice. I want a kit in the worst way. The stock is a beaut.
You might as well order you a kit for a Christmas present from you to you. 32 caliber is awesome.....
I like the finish on that rifle. Looks great.
-
Excellent job!
-
Smallpatch that is a real dandy....15 hrs from box to shooting...dang...how much better can it get..An there tack drivers as well...!
-
Traveler,
They are shooters. Lightweight! Less than 7 lbs.
Here's the first target, no load development. First 7 shots out of the barrel.
50g FFFg, .445 ball, .020" patch.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FmXcskG%2FIMG_0402.jpg&hash=d17ef3ff7af2086618ea04a807da9c89005b0eb7) (http://ibb.co/eKWwCw)
-
really nice Dane.
K
-
Dane, Nice Job! I too like the colors. Never hurts if one shoots good , to help you like it even more !! Nate
-
But Dane,
That is 25 yards. I can throw a lawn dart as good as that at that distance. ;D
dave
-
Dave,
I can barely see that far!
-
Those Kibler kits are great. He really does an incredible job putting them together. I think its great that there is an easy to build kit on the market that is actually very high quality. But its not for me. 5 hours from box to ready to sand. No thanks. I enjoy building as much as shooting. I want one that is going to take months to build.
-
Those Kibler kits are great. He really does an incredible job putting them together. I think its great that there is an easy to build kit on the market that is actually very high quality. But its not for me. 5 hours from box to ready to sand. No thanks. I enjoy building as much as shooting. I want one that is going to take months to build.
Try years. But I'm lazy ;D
-
These kits are NOT designed for the long time builders. We build from blanks for a bunch of reasons.
BUT, for the semi handy guy, who wants a really nice rifle, and can tell others that " I built it", it's a very nice kit.
Much better finished product than the first 10 guns I built.
-
Traveler,
They are shooters. Lightweight! Less than 7 lbs.
Here's the first target, no load development. First 7 shots out of the barrel.
50g FFFg, .445 ball, .020" patch.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FmXcskG%2FIMG_0402.jpg&hash=d17ef3ff7af2086618ea04a807da9c89005b0eb7) (http://ibb.co/eKWwCw)
NICE RIFLE!
Too bad it couldn't hit the center. ;) :o
That is mighty fine shooting right out of the box.
You must walk proud carrying that firestick! I would.
It is great to see a supplier can provide such a nice product that a would be gun builder does not need a fully complimented workshop.
Talk about a super Christmas gift, that will last for decades, and perhaps become a family heirloom.
My most sincere compliments to you ( Traveler ) and Jim Kibler.
Fred
-
smallpatch,,
Great job on a really nice rifle and it shoots to boot! I am still trying to develop my finishing skills and have one of Jim's fine kits to start after Christmas. Could you possibly share with all the new guys watching, some of your techniques you used for polishing and finishing. We are all ears to learn from you masters! Super job and thanks for sharing.
elkhorne
-
Elkhorn,
If you'll be more specific, I'll try to help.
I posted my wood finishing steps above.
I still do everything the hard way for metal and wood.
-
Looks very nice Dane. As much as I too really enjoy the building process, to turn one out so quickly and nicely, isn't hard to take either.
BTW there's a thread in contemporary makers forum with several pages of Jim's kits, if you have missed it....http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=44104.0
-
I just completed my latest build and am planning my next two. One for my youngest grandson and one for me. I got a Peter Berry and a SMR in mind not sure who will get what. I SURE would like one of those Kibler SMR and I can build it while doing the Peter Berry from scratch - now I just need to come up with the EXTRA money ;D ;) ::).
-
Paul,
This one is in .45, and weighs less than 7lbs. Skinny, trim handles pretty nice.
-
Thanks for the info -- I have a few .45 calibers and do like that caliber one more can't hurt. The Peter Berry build has a .45 caliber swamped Green Mountain barrel. Right now my youngest grandson is 4. By the time his mother (anti-gun of any kind) will let him have it he will be 18 so I think he will be strong enough to handle a 7 pound rifle by that time. I will be going to Kibler's web site and doing some shopping later today ;). Thanks again for the info and Merry Christmas :).
-
There's several thing's to admire Jim's kits for (no I don't have one)
One is there easy to build..even for a newbie...two...It gives a person the right architecture an parts for a smr..three...as has been proven they are tack drivers.. Maybe I should just get one..But I sure like building from a blank an making my own thimbles an stuff.. But then again there is that colonial style gun coming up...hmmmm Santa..
-
Nicely done, Dane. Finishing technique is excellent!
Ed
-
That is one fine, warm finishing job. Both the metal and the wood. A lot to appreciate there. God Bless, Marc
-
Smallpatch,
That's a really nice job of finishing your rifle. Real warm and inviting. Great job!
Wow! Concerns about the kit being too easy! Go figure....
Seriously, there definetely is a place for these. The overwhelming response we've received since launching these products is a testiment to this. Here are a few things to consider.
For somone who has expereince, they are pretty quick and easy to assemble. For those with less skill and experience, it takes a little more work and effort to make a really fine rifle out of one. The vast majority of aspiring builders fall into this category.
Those with more expereince can still learn a great deal from these. These kits have all the care one of my high end custom rifles would have. In short, for many it's a great example of a fine rifle that can be a good learning tool. How many rifles are made today with poor shape and design? Even by those with ability.
Finally, if you want to make money, a kit like this is a great starting point. Especially our latest offering.
Building guns from a blank will always be the mainstay for many, but this certainly is an option and a step forward. Once you experience something easy, it's hard to step back, though. Human nature...
A final point... We've worked super hard to make a product that is properly designed and executed. For years, many muzzleloading products have been sub-par at best. It's a bad situation when a someone has to fix a bunch of mistakes. Especially if they don't have a lot of experience. We don't want to do business this way. Things can move forward and it's a good thing.
So, enough of my pontificating. Thank you all!
Jim
-
Jim,
I believe you have accomplished what you sit out to do. I think your kits will help the long rifle culture by attracting both young and older folk that have always had an interest but didn't necessarily have the confidence to try their hand at building a rifle. Of course some of the factory kits were fairly easy to put together but the finished product was not very attractive nor very dependable to use after putting it together.
With your kit and a few hours work they can have a great looking rifle AND not have to worry about it miss-firing half the time.
Dennis
Smallpatch,
That's a really nice job of finishing your rifle. Real warm and inviting. Great job
Wow! Concerns about the kit being too easy! Go figure....
Seriously, there definetely is a place for these. The overwhelming response we've received since launching these products is a testiment to this. Here are a few things to consider.
For somone who has expereince, they are pretty quick and easy to assemble. For those with less skill and experience, it takes a little more work and effort to make a really fine rifle out of one. The vast majority of aspiring builders fall into this category.
Those with more expereince can still learn a great deal from these. These kits have all the care one of my high end custom rifles would have. In short, for many it's a great example of a fine rifle that can be a good learning tool. How many rifles are made today with poor shape and design? Even by those with ability.
Finally, if you want to make money, a kit like this is a great starting point. Especially our latest offering.
Building guns from a blank will always be the mainstay for many, but this certainly is an option and a step forward. Once you experience something easy, it's hard to step back, though. Human nature...
A final point... We've worked super hard to make a product that is properly designed and executed. For years, many muzzleloading products have been sub-par at best. It's a bad situation when a someone has to fix a bunch of mistakes. Especially if they don't have a lot of experience. We don't want to do business this way. Things can move forward and it's a good thing.
So, enough of my pontificating. Thank you all!
Jim