Pete and all y'all --- it has certainly been a real time learning experience since 73 in this hobby/life style for some. Any of us what shines on them Hawken rifles has been down pretty much same path with TC, CVA,AH, even good ol cheapo Spanish gun kits I cant remember name of. BUT---- the love of these ol smokepoles has brought us a lot of enjoyment, camaraderie, and fellowship.
I would rather build my own now, as buy the production guns, tho I had a nice collection of hawken style rifles a while back.
Welcome to the forum s99, you sure picked a good topic to weigh in on here. Best regards to all, Dave F