New Mike Miller Lancaster

[Larry Pletcher]

I received my new rifle from Mike Miller at Friendship this fall.  This is one of those projects that you anticipate and save for a long time.  Knowing that I was to pick up the rifle Friday afternoon, made the trip down Friday morning seem endless.  (You know- like the kid waiting for Christmas morning.)

The rifle is a sweetheart.  I wanted a J. Dickert style of gun and Mike did a great job.  Mike started with a Chambers lockmakers lock,  a maple blank with very tight curl, and a very slim Rice .50 barrel 42" long.  Mike called the barrel Rice's "old man" barrel.  Rice probably has a different name for it.  Liston said it was only the second completed rifle he had seen using this profile.

Mike went the second mile to help fitting the gun to a few of my querks - like old eyes, shoulder surgeries, etc.  He solved these issues well, and the rifle is a joy to handle and shoot.   I'm not sure the following photos do the rifle justice.











I shot the Woodswalk at Friendship with it twice during the fall shoot. My only complaint was that I thought I heard the rifle scolding me when I missed. 

Regards,
Pletch

[rich pierce]

Sweet rifle.  There's a great deal of pleasure in carrying and shooting a fine rifle like that.

[Ben I. Voss]

Lovely!  Mike  does  a  great  job!!

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

A classic for sure!!   Very nice Pletch.  You will enjoy this gun. Do you have a place to hang it in the house where you can stare at it to your heart's content??

[smylee grouch]

Yes indeed it is a fine looking gun. He realy did a nice job on the gun and that lock is great too.  Smylee

[alyce-james]

Pletch; One really fine rifle. A .50 caliber " Old Mans Barrel" as Mike calls it, should hold right on and not to heavy at the muzzle. Outstanding wood and finish. When holding this gun in the evening try your best not to rub the great finish off or spill an evening Sherry on it. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us. Jim & Alyce.

[Larry Pletcher]

Thanks for your comments. This has been a rewarding venture that included some family history and the chance to pick a style that works well with an ancestor of mine from Dickert's time. Samuel Pletcher grew up just south of Lancaster in the 1750's.  So, it's no surprise that Dickert's hand shows in this gun.

I'll try to find out from Liston the correct name for this barrel profile.

Regards,
Pletch

[Ken G]

You got one fine looking rifle.  Well worth the wait.  I believe Mike's work to be some of the best and also a rifle that will increase in value.  
Cheers,
Ken

[C Wallingford]

Very nice, Pletch. I saw it at Friendship and it looks and feels great. I did shoulder it before you got there.

[James]

They are making one they call "Southern Classic" that is a .50 cal 42" A weight. Not sure if that's the one you have. Beautiful rifle beyond words.

[Daryl]

Nice - glad you like it and it seems to like you.

[hanshi]

Yes, that is really a fine looking rifle.

[Larry Pletcher]

They are making one they call "Southern Classic" that is a .50 cal 42" A weight. Not sure if that's the one you have. Beautiful rifle beyond words.

James,
I think that's it -- "Southern Classic".  Mike told me the barrel weighed 3.5 lbs.   When I first picked it p, I thought this can't be 42" long, but it is.  A .50 is the largest caliber available in this profile.
Regards,
Pletch

[wattlebuster]

Very nice, I really like the wood

[Bill]

Mike really does beautiful work and he's a true gentleman besides.

[G-Man]

Beautiful rifle and I wouild say worth the wait!   Always enjoy seeing examples of his work.

Guy

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The workmanship on the rifle appears to be first rate, Pletch.  Spectacular wood and finish!  ...a real treasure.

[chapmans]

This rifle is a real beauty, I had the opportunity to fire it during the woodswalk and it scolded me also!

[mr. no gold]

Thank you for passing it around for us to see. It is a flat out gorgeous rifle. Must be a joy to shoot. Heck, that doesn't even really matter, since it is so pretty. Just carrying it around would be pure enjoyment.
Dick

[J. Talbert]

Great rifle Pletch!  I didn't make it to Friendship this go-round... too bad, I'm sure it's even better in person.
I'm a big fan of Mike's work, having known him since he was just starting building.  He certainly Gets it.
That new one looks like it'll be a great shooter.

Let me see now... doesn't that make at least two very nice rifles you've acquired recently?

I'm envious of both of them.

Jeff

[Larry Pletcher]

Jeff,
This has been kind of a tale of two rifles. For one, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.  For the other, I had the chance to be involved in the planning. Both are incredible rifles.

Regards,
Pletch

[J. Talbert]

I hope you enjoy them both, and put them to good use.

Jeff

[Rhino6]

For my first post here, I would have to call that a "Masterpiece"...  I don't see how that rifle could be any better.

[Larry Pletcher]

Thanks again for your comments.  For me, the rifle's handling is as good as it's appearance.  Because of a couple of eye issues, I asked Mike  for advice about sights. he moved the rear sight  forward and gave me a wider rear notch. The front blade is a little wider as well.

The gun is lighter than most Dickert types, but that was planned too.  A lighter rifle is a real help with shoulder and neck surgeries.  I hope to be able to shoot this for quite a while - even when I get old - oh, wait. I'm on Soc Sec now!

regards,
Pletch

[FRJ]

That is truely a beautiful rifle!!! I really like the subtle way that the georgous wood and fine carving have blended together to form the basis for a fine rifle. Your  a lucky guy. Seems like I spend as much time now that I'm a senior looking at beautiful rifles that I did in my youth looking at beautiful women!!!!! Frank