Kibler Plains / Hawken kit

[ScottH]

Kibler Plains / Hawken kit:

Looks like Jim and Company are taking orders now.
Who is ordering one?
I have a son that just returned from the Marines. He is considering putting in an order, but is doesn't know what he would like to order for stock wood.
What do any of you think about wood options for this kit? Also I think .54 caliber would do for about anything including elk. Or would the .58 be the ticket if we hunt elk every year here in WA?
Thanks
Scott

[Jim Kibler]

Here are some photos of the first production gun.  I'll follow up with some more detailed photos later today.  I'm also working on a fancier version that will include the patchbox and inlay options as well as some engraving.  If you have any questions, just ask.  Thanks!

[David Rase]

Beautiful.  Very well executed.  Your wood selection and color is fantastic.  I hope you sell a gazillion of them.
R/David

[Jim Kibler]

Some more detailed shots...

[Wingshot]

Magnificent! What is the weight, .58 cal?

[ScottH]

Jim Kibler,
 Thanks for those wonderful pictures.
What have you used for the percussion nipple on this rifle?
The lock looks splendid for this application.
Scott

[Jim Kibler]

Magnificent! What is the weight, .58 cal?

Thank you!  The .58 should weigh about 7lb 12oz.  This rifle is .54 and weighs just at 8lb.

[Jim Kibler]

Jim Kibler,
 Thanks for those wonderful pictures.
What have you used for the percussion nipple on this rifle?
The lock looks splendid for this application.
Scott

This is a nipple I got from Track.  I'll likely purchase them for the kits.  They are made well and are available for a fair price.  Track has been a good partner for us.  Thanks.

[Jim Kibler]

Beautiful.  Very well executed.  Your wood selection and color is fantastic.  I hope you sell a gazillion of them.
R/David

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.  Really appreciate it!

[smoke and flames]

HOME RUN...........

[Joey R]

J.K. HAWKEN. Now that’s cool!

[KC]

I like it. Beautifully done.

[Scota4570]

I'll get one and probably an extra barrel, I put down the deposit.   I encouraged a buddy to get one and he is already paid in full.  I suspect this will be the most popular Kibler kit to date. 

[wmrike]

That's all kinds of gorgeous.

Is the under-rib soldered on or integral with the barrel?

[Daryl]

Very well done, Jim. I expected no less form your "diggins".

[Kevin Fransen]

The lines flow really well on the standing breech and the barrel breech and snail interface.
Really nice lines on the rest of the rifle.
Sweet, ordered and paid for one in .54 myself, don't need it, I have a few nice heavy hawken clones, but, this one intrigues me.

[smylee grouch]

Looks nice. The first thing I noticed was that there looks to be a little extra room in front of the front trigger which I like.

[J. Talbert]

Sure looks like another winner to me. 

Jeff

[Martin S.]

To the OP:

I ordered two.  One for my son, and one for my son-in-law.

I went with .54, extra curly maple, no inlays, no patch box.

I have found from buying several of Jim's other kits that his extra curly maple wood is exceptional.  Yes, it costs more, but the chatoyance is outstanding!

These kits are not cheap, but you can't beat the quality, and I believe you get your money's worth.

[Scota4570]

Kibler cost less not more.  The Pedersoli Hawken now costs $2500.   I would not pay $500 for one.  Pedersoli should be embarrassed.  They are asking $1000 more than Kibler for a sad excuse of a gun. 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022199477?pid=711455

[Martin S.]

Kibler cost less not more.  The Pedersoli Hawken now costs $2500.   I would not pay $500 for one.  Pedersoli should be embarrassed.  They are asking $1000 more than Kibler for a sad excuse of a gun. 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022199477?pid=711455

Wow!  I had no idea about the cost of a Pedersoli Hawken.  Thanks for the recalibration.

[Daryl]

That's amazing. tks for the link SCOTA4570.

[Jim Kibler]

Kibler cost less not more.  The Pedersoli Hawken now costs $2500.   I would not pay $500 for one.  Pedersoli should be embarrassed.  They are asking $1000 more than Kibler for a sad excuse of a gun. 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022199477?pid=711455

Thanks for this information.  I may have looked at Pedersoli’s pricing at one point, but had forgotten.  I had been feeling bad for having to charge what we do, but am feeling a little better now! 

One thing for sure, a Hawken styled rifle is more complicated and difficult to produce as compared to a typical Longrifle.  It’s a struggle for us to keep these as affordable as possible while still making sure they are profitable for us.  It seems expenses just keep rising.  I was just recently comparing some of our costs to last year and was shocked.

Anyways, thanks guys!  I’ll be looking forward to getting a fancier version together and showing it as well.

[alacran]

The base price on the Kibler Hawken Kit is $1505. If he would have been making his kit as it is today in 1970 when the TC Hawkens first came out,
The price would be $180.00. I don't think TC would have sold many. The cost of things hasn't gone up the value of the dollar has gone down.

[JLayne]

Will be ordering one of Jim’s Hawken kits. I was shocked at the price increase on the Pedersoli version. I have the same model as the one in the link and paid approximately $950 for it new from Cabelas back in 2012.

Jay