Curious re:Chambers *Smoothrifle* Kit

[Leatherbelly]

  Hey Gents/Builders,
   Have any of you gents built this kit? Gosh, in the pix that Jim has posted on his site, it sure looks like a slim long barreled beauty.If anyone has built this kit, can you show me with a picture what your results are? or your thoughts? I would make it a rifled .54. Curious as to your experience with this "kit." Thanks in advance. Best regards,Roy
ps, *smoothrifle* seems an oxymoron, so I'm thinking,-RIFLE IT!

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Hey Canvas,

I have not built one of these, but the last time I checked Mike Brooks had one on his website that he did.  I will say this, I had a smooth rifle for years and loved it.  You have the versatility of a smoothbore but the configurations of a rifle.  Which helps with recoil and aim.  So rifling it would be cool, but if you like a smoothbore, you'll love a smooth rifle.

Coryjoe

[Mike Brooks]

Here'sone  I did a couple years ago. I put a rifle styled trigger guard on it.... I think it was rifled too.
http://www.fowlingguns.com/kitgun3.html

[Leatherbelly]

Hey Mike!
  Thanks for the reply. Sweet looking rifle. I like the "Newcomer" engraving style you incorporated on the butt and sideplate. Will be saving my sheckles for this "kit."

[frogwalking]

Hi Canvas,

I am a rank amateur in this craft but managed to put together a fowler that  pleases me and shoots very well.  Mine is a 20 gauge smooth bore and as a result is very light.  Considering it has no choke, the patterns are reasonable.  It may just be me,  but the combination of drop and cast-off makes the gun come to the shoulder in a very natural manner.



As you can see I did not carve this piece, primarily because I always chicken out when the Time comes to lay knife to wood.  This gun has the prettiest shape of any I have ever made, and the credit for that goes solely to Jim and Barbie for the quality of the kit.  Yes, the fore end is a little heavy, and I did that intentionally.  I feel the extra wood makes it a little stronger, as this is the one I grab for woods walks.  Like I said, it is light. 

[Leatherbelly]

Thanks for the pix. Is that the Pa fowler or smooth rifle?

[frogwalking]

The kit was originally for a smooth rifle.  After handling and inspecting a couple of fowlers made by mike Brooks, I filed the cheekpiece and flat for the sliding patch box lid off.  Mine already had the smooth bore.  I think if it had a rifled barrel, I would use a rifle guard and leave the other rifle bits.  This kit is the basis for a great piece, whatever you do.