Want to build my first flintlock

[mustanggt]

I have all the requisite books and DVD's to learn from and am doing so now. When I am finished I then want to get my rifle kit. There are so many choices that I'm having a hard time choosing who to go with. I want a kit that will enable me to be a little more successful the first time out and gain experience from there. I don't want to have to do a lot of work that may be beyond my abilities. I'd like to minimize frustration and be able to move along at a slow and steady pace. What maker and kit is recommended for someone like me? I was thinking a mostly inletted stock would help the process for me. Any other suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated. I started with a Pedersoli Pennsylvania rifle then bought an Early Lancaster from TOW with a Siler lock and Wm Large barrel. Very nice rifle and very accurate so I do have some experience shooting them. Thank you

[Mike Brooks]

Jim Chambers Kits.

[J Hollis]

Mr Brooks - I have many of the same questions Mustanggt has and I have heard only good things about the Chambers kits.  Is your recommendation based on the quality of the components, ease of build for a novice, or what? I would appreciate your opinion.

Thanks

[PPatch]

The Chambers "kits" are top quality, plus dealing with Jim Chambers and his family is a win win in every respect. With a Chambers kit you will receive the makings of a period and historically correct project. Any kit on the market requires a careful approach to the build if you want a good result. To complete the kit you will need to educate yourself on light metal and woodworking skills, inletting and relief carving techniques. You will also need to purchase some tools to complete the project. On all of these kits you will need to carefully move the barrel back some and then inlet the tang (chisel work), you will need to enlarge the pre-carved lock mortise and bring the lock in deeper into the inlet until it is in proper relation to the barrel/touch hole. You will need to do pretty much the same with the other inlay mortises such as the entry and ram rod pipes, complete the installation of the nose cap and all other furniture such as the trigger guard and butt plate. While these components are pre-inlet they require careful enlarging and finishing to final fit.

If doing all of that seems overly intimidating then the job is probably not for you. But remember that many beginners have completed a kit as their first project so you're not alone, a kit is an excellent learning experience. You are not alone either in the sense that loads of help is available here on ALR and you've but to post your questions to receive excellent advice on any aspect of your build. Then too you can browse the ALR Tutorial section for information on building techniques and the ALR Library for photos and examples of the longrifles of old.

Good luck and welcome to ALR, you have came to the right place to learn.

dave

[mustanggt]

Thank you so much for the help and recommendations.

[Okefinokee Outlaw]

If you do proceed with a Chambers kit, which I highly recommend, plan on about 120 enjoyable hours for your first build.  I've done two, and now feel confident enough to build from a blank.

[smallpatch]

Chambers kits are the way to go.  The only ones I'll mess with because they are right in architecture for that particular rifle, not a generic for for several.  So that part you don't have to worry about.
Remember though, these are NOT snap together kits. It IS an assemblage of parts that must be carefully put together to make a @!*% fine firearm.
I build exclusively from blanks now, but have built well over a dozen Chambers kits, and won't even consider building others.
Hope that helps.

[Long Ears]

Definitely, the Chambers kits are the best. They are very well done so locating the furniture is done for you and the scale and architecture is the best. They are fantastic people to deal with and top quality wood no matter what grade you choose. Then with the help on this forum and working slow it makes it a very enjoyably and rewarding project. Bob

[Karl Kunkel]

Chamber's Kits are great.  Another good alternative is Wayne Dunlop's Isaac Haines Kit (component set).

[J Hollis]

Does anyone make a good southern or Appalachian style kit?  I like the styles on the Chambers web site, and very well may try my hand at one of them, but I tend to lean more toward an iron mounted southern gun.  Thanks for all the details in the earlier posts - much appreciated.

[Hemo]

Does anyone make a good southern or Appalachian style kit?  I like the styles on the Chambers web site, and very well may try my hand at one of them, but I tend to lean more toward an iron mounted southern gun.  Thanks for all the details in the earlier posts - much appreciated.

Jim Kibler (per direct conversation with Jim) has plans to produce a southern mountain rifle kit sometime this year. I don't know the status of this project or possible time of availability. Maybe Jim can update us?

Gregg

[flatsguide]

Jim Chambers kit....by far!

[kaintuck]

Chambers kits are great and dealing with Barbie, or Jim will give you a big start~

Dave Keck also has rifles almost 'in the white' as does Tip Curtis........

just thoughts..........

marc n tomtom

[mustanggt]

Thank you all for your help. I do appreciate it. I'm sure I will be coming back for more of it in the near future.

[BOB HILL]

I agree with all the fine comments made about the Chambers kits and the folks that produce them. I would like to add that on completion you will have a model with the right architecture to aid you should you want to build later from a blank. Not everyone has access to originals to study.These kits are certainly well researched and great examples to study for later builds.         Bob

[Mike Brooks]

Mr Brooks - I have many of the same questions Mustanggt has and I have heard only good things about the Chambers kits.  Is your recommendation based on the quality of the components, ease of build for a novice, or what? I would appreciate your opinion.

Thanks

All of the above. I have built dozens of them over the years.

[J Hollis]

10 - 4. A fellow would have to be pretty dense to ignor all of these recommendations, looks like the Chamber's kits are the way to go.  I've been spending some time rereading my copy of Dixon's " Art Of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle".  I didn't appreciate how good a resource it was when I bought it ten years ago - I don't reckon the book got any better maybe I just needed time.  Thanks for the posts.

[bob in the woods]

For a plain rifle, no buttplate etc, take a look at Brad Emig's kits [ www.cabincreek.net ] 
The only thing I'm not crazy about is the use of Siler locks for all the kits..including the fowling gun.
However, aside from that they are also top quality kits.  I myself have built 5 of the Chamber's fowling 
guns and consider them to be the absolute best.  Their New England fowler has been my main hunting gun for years.

[oldtravler61]

Last bit of advice. If want to hurry don't. The more patient you are. The better the end result will be. An if your not sure ask, ask an ask again. There are so many on here that have been there done that. An they know . Good luck.

[mustanggt]

I appreciate all the advice and offers for help. I know I will need them. I have made my decision to go with Chambers Early York kit in 50cal. I have an Early Lancaster made by "Trapper" with a Wm Large barrel. It is quite heavy at 10# but shoots very nicely and 80grs shoots very well at 100 yds. The York gives me a lighter gun to tote and shoot at our monthly match better than the big heavy bugger that works from the bench so well.

[mustanggt]

Well, I ordered the York kit from Mrs. Chambers yesterday. Very nice lady. Will have to wait about a month she said. She also said that the regular stock is nicely figured(grade 6) and that I don't really need to upgrade to a more fancy grade. I didn't think to ask her about the Buckeye barrels so I'll ask you fellas. Do they make their own or do they just get in Rice, Colerain etc. and resell to us? Really looking forward to the challenge and learning experience this will be.

[Jim Chambers]

Buckeye Barrel Co. is just a distribution company for Rice barrels.  Your York kit will come with a Rice southern classic 42" swamped barrel.
Thanks to everyone for all the kind words about our kits.  We try our best to provide a top quality product and a product that can be made into a fine rifle even by beginners.  We're always available either in person or by phone if you need help with our kits.

[Frank]

Chambers kits are excellent. Only thing that may give a first time builder a problem  is the barrels are not fully inletted. Getting a swamped barrel properly fitted can be troublesome.

[mustanggt]

Thank you Jim for answering my questions. I'm very much encouraged by the good word the guys have said about your kits and were the ones that made my decision to go with your product.