New shop update video

[Jim Kibler]

New video.  Shop update and we're making barrels!  Well sort of....

[Craig Wilcox]

Jim, you and the team just keep on getting better and better!

So, you now mill in the lugs - are sights next?

[P.W.Berkuta]

Very impressive and innovative ! All of these innovations will rejuvenate the muzzle loading public for sure! You have undertaken a truly unique path in quality and design that's for sure ! These quality kits appeal to both the seasoned and novice builder alike.

[skullcap]

a couple questions   on barrels your turning  from green mountain  round or square bottom rifling?  both.  i might have missed that.   personally i prefer square bottom.    2nd  how long before a new england fowler kit?  with 48" fowling weight barrel?  that is  what i'm waiting on!  i have 2 colonial rifles  love em    thanks  Rick

[moleeyes36]

Jim,

Am I correct to assume that the switch to Green Mtn barrels will mean 1137 steel instead of the 12L14 steel that Rice uses?

Don Richards

[Kevin Houlihan]

Jim,
 Since you’ve obviously not been just sitting around... have you made any progress on the waterproof Ketland or do have an expected release date?
Thanks
Kevin

[canadianml1]

Really excellent work Jim!!!! Your twenty first century thinking does honor to these beautiful old guns! You have put within reach of just about any beginner builder two really lovely guns.

So what's next........................... laser digitizing ANY antique you like, feeding the output data to your CNC mill and after milling out pops a faithful, extremely precise copy!! (A technical dream that has been realized by dentists already.............milled crowns.) I am sure that you have already thought of this.

Best wishes

[Dave Marsh]

Jim, excellent progress and your business is very successful based on what I have seen.  One thing I did notice on your video was that the machines are loud and I did not see hearing protection unless you were looking "pretty" for the video!!!!  I have several friends who worked in shops like yours with the loud machines and they have pretty severe hearing problems now after years of the whine of the machines.  I wish you all the best as you are a family with the true American spirit.  And I too am waiting on the Fowler.   

Dave

[Jim Kibler]

a couple questions   on barrels your turning  from green mountain  round or square bottom rifling?  both.  i might have missed that.   personally i prefer square bottom.    2nd  how long before a new england fowler kit?  with 48" fowling weight barrel?  that is  what i'm waiting on!  i have 2 colonial rifles  love em    thanks  Rick

Square bottom rifling only.  A fowler kit will be happening next.  I will probaby have things ready about 9 months.  At least that's the plan.

Thanks,
Jim

[Jim Kibler]

Jim,

Am I correct to assume that the switch to Green Mtn barrels will mean 1137 steel instead of the 12L14 steel that Rice uses?

Don Richards

Yes,  1137 steel.  Inspected to gun barrel quality standards.

Jim

[ScottH]

When will you be shipping kits with Kibler / GM barrels and Kibler locks? Or have you already started shipping them?
It all looks great to me.

[FALout]

Jim, are you profiling the barrels on CNC machines?  If so, the machining quality looks pretty darn good

[moleeyes36]

Well, let’s hope that Fowler is a nice walnut stocked English Fowler.

Don Richards

[Jim Kibler]

When will you be shipping kits with Kibler / GM barrels and Kibler locks? Or have you already started shipping them?
It all looks great to me.

We've been shipping locks for quite a while.  They're performing great and the reviews have been fantastic.  Barrels will probably start going out next week!

Thanks,
Jim

[Jim Kibler]

Jim, are you profiling the barrels on CNC machines?  If so, the machining quality looks pretty darn good

Yes, what you see is the finish coming off of the mill.  We're super proud of this and in fact are super proud of the entire process.  It's efficient and produces a REALLY nice product.  We can't wait for people to see them in person.  Another nice aspect of the process is that it doesn't require a great deal of custom fixturing for different barrel profiles.  This means we can easily produce a range of shapes.  So, in time we'll be adding individual barrels for sale.  We'll of course start with some of the most desired profiles and calibers.

Thanks!
Jim

[Jim Kibler]

Another tidbit I thought about after the video...  We introduced our employees.  An interesting bit of info is that my father was a tool and die maker as was the three other shop employees we have!  We didn't hire them based on this, but I think it's interesting nonetheless.  We have a great group of people here and are excite to be charging ahead!

Jim

[Bob Roller]

Jim,

Am I correct to assume that the switch to Green Mtn barrels will mean 1137 steel instead of the 12L14 steel that Rice uses?

Don Richards

I think the correct term is 1137M which stands for modified.I inquired of a steel company about this term
and their metallurgist told me it can be modified for gun barrels or truck axles and a variety of things but it took
a fairly substantial order to get it made.I also talked to another metallurgist that was startled when I said that
gun barrels were being made from 12L14.i am glad to see that Jim Kibler is upgrading to a better quality of
barrel steel.
Bob Roller

[Marcruger]

Green Mountain barrels are accurate.  No question.  I don't think I have ever seen a GM in round-bottom rifling.  I like that GM barrels seem to not be picky about what they shoot well.  God Bless,  Marc

[Tim Crosby]

 Looking Good Jim, some innovation there.

    Tim

[flinchrocket]

Another tidbit I thought about after the video...  We introduced our employees.  An interesting bit of info is that my father was a tool and die maker as was the three other shop employees we have!  We didn't hire them based on this, but I think it's interesting nonetheless.  We have a great group of people here and are excite to be charging ahead!

Jim

That looks like a good environment for some young beginning tool and die people.

[FALout]

I’m just surprised if you folks can get a good finish on the barrels like what was shown in the video, takes really good tooling that I can imagine needs to be replaced quite often.  Really liked the barrel tendon idea, yea there could be a slight issue with screwed up pin holes but I still like how your going about it.  I can also see neat barrel profiles being available in the future if you can keep up especially if you come out with another rifle/Fowler.  I was really impressed with the locks I got from you Jim, that kind of quality doesn’t happen by accident .

[jrb]

Awesome stuff, can't wait for the 1137 individual barrels to be available!

[Jim Kibler]

Thanks everyone for the nice feedback.  Sure do appreciate it.    An added note...  the machined on underlugs will be machined with slots before too long.  So no drilling will be necessary when assembling one of our kits.  Underlugs have been a troublesome area for those less experienced.  Cutting slots requires special tools as well.  So, now we'll be able to easily add this feature.

All the best,
Jim

[Metequa]

Nice work Jim, looking forward to the next round of innovations from you! 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks everyone for the nice feedback.  Sure do appreciate it.    An added note...  the machined on underlugs will be machined with slots before too long.  So no drilling will be necessary when assembling one of our kits.  Underlugs have been a troublesome area for those less experienced.  Cutting slots requires special tools as well.  So, now we'll be able to easily add this feature.

All the best,
Jim

Wonderful to hear, Jim. I’ve a rifle on order from you (a .45 SMR in cherry) and am so excited to get it and start building.