Jim Kibler Colonial Kit

[tddeangelo]

So the 58 smoothie....something to maybe discuss with you at Dixon's? Sounds like it won't be before then that they'd be available?

[Jim Kibler]

Jim,

What is the rate of twist for the .58?

1:66”

[Jim Kibler]

So the 58 smoothie....something to maybe discuss with you at Dixon's? Sounds like it won't be before then that they'd be available?

In time we’ll be stocking popular calibers, but currently they need to be ordered.  So if your’re interested, it’s best to call and put an order in.

Jim

[Chowmi]

Just got the email today. Mine should ship soon. 

I am building it as a surprise present for a friend of ours in Las Vegas.  His wife asked me to build a rifle for him, and this seemed like a good fit. 

Can't wait to get started!

Cheers,
Norm

[DHS]

Just got the email today. Mine should ship soon. 

I am building it as a surprise present for a friend of ours in Las Vegas.  His wife asked me to build a rifle for him, and this seemed like a good fit. 

Can't wait to get started!

Cheers,
Norm

Mine became a working rifle this morning.  Lock, stock and barrel all together.  So far my wood working tools have seen little use and are looking on in envy.  Haven't created enough wood chips to fill a thimble but just enough challenge to make it interesting.  I'll post pix if I get a chance.  One thing I found very helpful is I have a set of 4 inch long taps which really come in handy for threading the two lock screws.  I have no idea where I got them.  This is my second build and all the books, videos and looking at completed rifles don't compare with what this build is teaching me. 

[P.W.Berkuta]

Those long taps are called "pulley taps"  and "extension hand taps" and you can get them at some on line web suppliers like <http://www.toolsavings.com> and <http://www.industrialboys.com>. I've used both of these suppliers with good results.

I have all but stopped my customer base work and am now going to take care of me and my grandsons with what supplies I have on hand but I WANTED to try my hand at a Kibler Kit so I ordered one in Dec of 2017 and I got my Colonial American Kit in .54 cal the other day. It is indeed a fine kit. For those who want a high quality kit where most if not all guess work is taken out of the equation then one of the Kibler Kits are for you .

[stikshooter]

What would be weight on the 58 ? Thanks Ed

[Telgan]

Jim - What is the barrel waist measurement across the flats - I wonder if it could even accommodate a .60 cal (smile) - Rice is making a .60 now . . .

[Jim Kibler]

What would be weight on the 58 ? Thanks Ed

Ed,

I'm not certain of the weight, but I would estimate around 9 lbs.  This will vary a bit depending on wood density.  The great thing about this rifle is that it handles very well even in smaller calibers due to the breech weight.

Jim

[Jim Kibler]

Jim - What is the barrel waist measurement across the flats - I wonder if it could even accommodate a .60 cal (smile) - Rice is making a .60 now . . .

Jason and I have discussed the potential of larger calibers, but I have decided to just stay with .58 as the largest. 

Thanks,
Jim

[Jim Kibler]

As far as tapping, the lock plate, I have found standard spiral point gun taps to be long enough to reach through the stock.  I may have chucked up a little further on the tap to get through.   If you should have to finish the last tiny bit of tapping with the lock plate off the stock, it won't be a problem.

Just thought I would mention this so people wouldn't worry about having to buy longer "pully" taps.

Jim

[Dennis Glazener]

What would be weight on the 58 ? Thanks Ed

Ed,

I'm not certain of the weight, but I would estimate around 9 lbs.  This will vary a bit depending on wood density.  The great thing about this rifle is that it handles very well even in smaller calibers due to the breech weight.

Jim

Ed,
Go to Rice's website, barrel spec page and you should be able to get approximate weight or at least the difference between a .54 and .58. Just pick the closest profile barrel to what Jim uses in his kit. Here is the link, the barrel weight info is at the very bottom of the page: http://www.ricebarrels.com/chart.html
Dennis

[DHS]

As far as tapping, the lock plate, I have found standard spiral point gun taps to be long enough to reach through the stock.  I may have chucked up a little further on the tap to get through.   If you should have to finish the last tiny bit of tapping with the lock plate off the stock, it won't be a problem.

Just thought I would mention this so people wouldn't worry about having to buy longer "pully" taps.

Jim

Never said they were required just that I found them helpful.  I'll not offer what I find helpful in the future. 

[Kingsburyarms]

DHS - Keep it coming - I have never heard of a "Pully Tap" before - Always interested in what you (or anyone else) finds helpful! - Without this kind of feedback, I'd still be on "what's a lock"? 

[Iktomi]

As far as tapping, the lock plate, I have found standard spiral point gun taps to be long enough to reach through the stock.  I may have chucked up a little further on the tap to get through.   If you should have to finish the last tiny bit of tapping with the lock plate off the stock, it won't be a problem.

Just thought I would mention this so people wouldn't worry about having to buy longer "pully" taps.

Jim

Never said they were required just that I found them helpful.  I'll not offer what I find helpful in the future.

Both the posts from you and Mr. Kibler are helpful, and I can't see that Jim's post was negating anything you posted. I hope you read it in that spirit. Please, keep the helpful tips coming ☺

[Jim Kibler]

As far as tapping, the lock plate, I have found standard spiral point gun taps to be long enough to reach through the stock.  I may have chucked up a little further on the tap to get through.   If you should have to finish the last tiny bit of tapping with the lock plate off the stock, it won't be a problem.

Just thought I would mention this so people wouldn't worry about having to buy longer "pully" taps.

Jim

Never said they were required just that I found them helpful.  I'll not offer what I find helpful in the future.

DHS,

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend.  As others have mentioned, advice and input are always welcome.  Longer taps would be nice, but shorter ones will do.  Just wanted to make sure others didn't think they had to go out and buy new ones.  Thanks for all the nice comments about the kit.  Hope you're enjoying it. 

All the best,
Jim

[davec2]

DHS,

Please don't stop offering helpful hints because you can't see someone's face when your having a conversation electronically. Facial expression and voice inflection count for more than half the intent of a conversation in my book....I know this because I am an incorrigible wise a$$ and most of my "humor" is lost in electronic communications...either that or I'm just not as funny as I think I am...hard to tell sitting by myself in the dark behind this computer screen.....

By the way, I have built four blunderbusses with 4 gage barrels.  The stocks are almost 2 1/2 inches wide at the lock plate.  If I didn't have the longer pully taps, I would have a heck of a time tapping the plate straight...just never thought to mention it to others.

dave c

[sespe]

Mine arrived Wednesday, 2-day shipping!  My wife was gracious enough to bring it to work, so I can at least drool over it for a couple days. 

[Bigmon]

What??  It's not already stained??  Just kidding.  Heck, the box is to keep for any future shipping of rifles.
I ordered one Monday with the high end wood.  But I have what I believe to be some nice cherry I cut right on my own land a few years back for the purpose of building a few rifles.  Being a kind of sentimental jerk I think it might be nice to have a rifle stock from my own place to pass down.
But how appropriate / correct would cherry be for a rifle of this type and era?
Also, I don't want to get toooooo fancy of wood and after seeing Jim's finished rifle and that he says it is of his "base kit" grade, I think I have ordered way above my taste grade.  If that is the base grade then either that or the next would be more to my liking.  But I am leaning hard toward my cherry IF PC and if the wood is actually good enough?
I ordered a 58 cal so I assume there should be a little time if I want to change my mind.
What about cherry?

[Jim Kibler]

Cherry can make a good stock.  Some can be a little too light (weight), though.  Good dense wood with a dark color and not too awful many sap inclusions is best.

An interesting aside...  A friend from Pensacola Florida had a wild cherry growing in his yard.  He cut it down and had it milled for stocks.  It's by far the heaviest densest cherry I've ever encountered.  Has a deep dark color too.  Go figure...

Jim

[Scota4570]

I have two colonial kits coming.  What original "school" or original maker should I researching for appropriate engraving and carving ideas?   

[Craig Wilcox]

That shipping box by Jim Kibler looks like it really protects the goodies.  Ya might want to sand and stain it, keep it forever!

That type of box is what is needed these days - I get some cardboard boxes that look like the UPS airplane ran over them.

You have got some fun times in your near (and distant) future.

[draton2681]

Jims Kits and shipping boxes are top of the line but the post office actually broke one in half, broke a beautiful stock and bent the tang, maybe even the barrel. I found the crate sitting on my front porch with first class tape holding the two halves together. God only knows how they managed that one. Jim and Katherine had new parts in shipment immediately, talk about customer service! 3 kits and counting, keep up the great work guys.

[Justin Urbantas]

Jims Kits and shipping boxes are top of the line but the post office actually broke one in half, broke a beautiful stock and bent the tang, maybe even the barrel. I found the crate sitting on my front porch with first class tape holding the two halves together. God only knows how they managed that one. Jim and Katherine had new parts in shipment immediately, talk about customer service! 3 kits and counting, keep up the great work guys.

Wow! They don't even care about how they handle packages. I would hope that they paid up on an insurance claim.

[Daryl]

Someone needed to get slapped for that conduct!