Pecatonica river kits

[ronaldrothb49]

I have built several rifles from Pecatonica stocks. In my opinion I have always gotten better wood than I have paid for. I have always used just the regular precarves without any of the optional inletting. I want to be able to position the lock, trigger and butt plate in the correct places. Yes they generally have a thicker web between the barrel and the ramrod, you can thin that down with a little work. There is a lot of work involved in using one of their stocks they are not a snap together and finish. I recently did some pricing on parts for a guy who was wanting me to make him a rifle. If you want just a plain rifle, A Schimmel, barn rifle, Po Boy or whatever you call it your looking at around $750. Parts for a fancier rifle probably around $1000 so you aren't going to save that much money and you will be doing a lot more work. The thing with Pecatonica is you can get styles that you can't get from Kibler or Chambers. You can also build a rifle that fits you instead of having to accept what someone else decided what was an average size shooter and you can also get a percussion gun. Sorry guys not everyone wants a flintlock.

[Snakeman]

I feel ya. I like a bunch of the styles they offer. Right now kibler has me in line but I may order a stock for a tc and get some practice inletting etc. also gonna get some scrap poplar from Lowes to practice on

[Bob Gerard]

The guys from Pecatonica should be members of this forum.

[rich pierce]

The guys from Pecatonica should be members of this forum.

It’s not for everyone. Nothing is, I guess. Like anything, some don’t find it fun or valuable or worthwhile to participate in. Many are too busy, or don’t like chat only about long rifles and shooting and associated accoutrements, or find it all repetitive after a while. We have hundreds, probably thousands of members who never post. I screen and approve new members every day, so there are very many. I also never see many of the folks I know on the “other” forum either, so it’s not just specific to this one.

[Bob Gerard]

I agree, Rich. I was just thinking how fortunate to have Jim Kibler here to discuss his products and offer advice and solutions, and how good it would be if other companies were available to do that also.

[oldtravler61]

  I for one would not buy a pre carved stock. Been there done that and of the few ( before I got smart ) are a pain. Especially if you are starting out.
 Kiblers are by far the easiest kit to do.  With his CNC machines they are very precise. Finishing the metal parts is the most time consuming in my opinion. Next is Jim Chambers kits. You will need a little more expertise to finish one. But they are a very good kit with excellent locks also.
 Now the sad truth is once you make one you know doubt will make others..  There are other kit makers out there but these are the two I'm familiar with.

[WadePatton]

If you want to finish a rifle in a month get a Kibler kit. With their kits you also get great video step by step instructions. For a first time builder the instructions are a god sent.

Fred

I'm with Fred on this one, if you want to have a shooter in a month--get a Kibler kit or get a finished gun "in the white" if those are sold these days. "In the white" means it's all assembled but has no finish work done on the metal or wood. 

I would certainly take a month to tweak and finish a Kibler to my liking even as complete and well-fitted as they are.

I do understand the "fire" to get one done and shooting. Average kits aren't that quick. There are lots of threads on here about fixing the errors of the typical pre-carved kits. Jim's (Kibler) stuff cannot be compared to the average kit, but you have a smaller set of options with them.

Great luck with what you choose. If you cannot find a local with experience to check your progress, DO post here if you'd like some expert guidance. You'll have to ask for the advice as some don't want come off as "offensive". Once it's clear you're seeking such you'll get it.

Taking the wood down to where it needs to be can be difficult at first. A regularly heard gunbuilding refrain is: "Take the wood down until you're scared, then take a little more." 

Enjoy the process.

[WadePatton]

I feel ya. I like a bunch of the styles they offer. Right now kibler has me in line but I may order a stock for a tc and get some practice inletting etc. also gonna get some scrap poplar from Lowes to practice on

I glued two 2x4's together and roughly shaped them to get a feel for the drop and pull that worked for me. I had nothing to compare my first build to but printed plans and my guru was 45 minutes away. It's a good way to test your rasp and saw skills.  I pecked a nail in the bottom to represent trigger position. It all worked out.

[Snakeman]

So far I'm not too shabby with a rasp. I've shaped a couple of electric guitars and made a few bows. Just not experienced with carving etc. I too started with scrap wood to practice shaping things. Broke many a bow before I got that one right. Rasp, check tiller, rasp, check tiller, rasp, check tiller, snap! Dang it! Start all over

[Eric Krewson]

I made this simple "try" stock to get my personal measurements as far a drop and length of pull were concerned before I made my first rifle, as crude as it is it worked perfectly. Having a rifle that fits you is so different from the off the shelf one size fits all guns we grew up using. I can shoulder my rifles with my eyes closed, open my eyes and the sights will be in perfect alignment.

[Snakeman]

Makes sense to me. I always tailor my stocks on the centerfires I build

[thecapgunkid]

Buy from these guys...and talk to them first.  Very responsive and hospitable.