Buying a smoothbore-TVM?

Does anyone know how much heavier a TVM fowler is compared to say, a Caywood or Chambers. I'm guessing it has some added weight given the straight barrel. I've also seen comments about the stocks not being as slender as smoothbores by other makers. I notice the posters who actually own TVM's seem to have few complaints about them. Thanks.

I have a TVM fowler and I do not have any problem handling it. I shoot trap and skeet with it just fine. I can not answer about the weight difference.
Mark

Visit with Tip before you decide. I have a weapon from both TVM and Tip. I don't believe you could go wrong with either.

Also talk to TVM. If you don't want their straight walled barrel I bet they can build your gun with a tapered barrel of your choice.
I have a straight walled barrel on my TVM fowler and no complaints. However, I've also never handled a smoothy with a tapered barrel either. I have read that there is a big difference but I can't say from experience.
Best regards. RH

I have one from TVM and really like and depend on it. The barrel is straight which I prefer for a primarily round ball gun; but Matt will build tapered barrel guns if you want one. Weight wasn't an issue with me and I have no complaints with mine. It weighs about the same as my .40 L Lancaster.

If weight is one of your primary factors for a fowling piece, Mike Brook's is someone you should talk to. I see some of his Carolina's are just around 6#...and that's with a long barrel. Mike is a very skilled builder and has in-the-white, and completed fowling guns.
http://www.fowlingguns.com/fowlers.html

Mike brooks is no longer taking orders...

He has enough work on list till retirement...

Doesn't want to promise work he can't finish.

I have a TVM Fowler and it weighs about seven pounds. It balances perfect and is a lot more accurate that I am. Had it almost a year but still have a way to go before getting consistently accurate shooting lead ball with it. But that's all me and not the gun. However,I've had a blast squirrel hunting with it and brought home a bunch of those!

Lightweight guns are good for moving targets with birdshot, but are very difficult to hold steady when shooting ball from field positions, especially offhand.

I prefer heavier guns for all-around use, but that's just me.

I had a beautiful, lightweight, reliable Caywood gun years ago, but sold it because it was so light that accurately shooting balls offhand at stationary targets was so difficult.
And I am someone who shot in military, law-enforcement, and civilian competition for years, all positions, and was pretty good at it.

Those lightweight smoothbores are a delight to carry and swing easily when shooting shot at running or flying smaller game, but are really toughh to hold steady when shooting ball offhand, and other field positions.

Trading a little handiness with shot for an increase in muzzle steadiness when shooting ball loads has always been the best compromise for me.
I'll take the heavier barrel anytime.

I am just the opposite. I have a Mike Brooks Carolina gun, couldn't believe a gun that length could be so light. I can shoot that thing like a rifle, my heavier barreled smoothbores have been sorely neglected since I got it.

Thats a good point. I generally shoot better with guns that aren't overly light. I contacted TVM since starting this thread and they responded that their guns typically weigh 8 to 8 1/2 pounds. I consider 7 1/2 to be ideal so that is not a deal breaker. I don't think I would make a good accounting for myself shooting round balls out of a 5 pound fowler--not off-hand certainly.

My TVM smoothbore weighs about 7-7.5 pounds and I like that. I do not wingshoot so didn't need a light, tapered barrel featherweight gun. Certainly the best gun builders, such as we have on this forum, are noted for their delightful handling game guns. But individual needs can span a lot of gun types. I can use shot in mine for turkey and ball for deer and that's all I require. Mine came as ordered with a rear sight.

if your concern is balance and weight , look at an octagon to round. Jack Garner built mine when he owned TVM. It's in 54 cal. best handling rifle I own. uncle lou

I see where TVM states that their barrel is straight. The associated picture shows an octagon to round barrel. What they mean is the octagon part is straight, not tapered and the round part is straight, neither tapered or swamped and no barrel options are offered.

Its a lot easier to make a gun with straight lines.

It would be best for you to contact TVM to verify that the barrel is octagon to round.

My TVM is also one of the Jack Garner fowlers and it handles very well.

TVM will build your gun with most any barrel/lock you choose; Matt's done this on a couple of my rifles. The standard "default" barrel is straight so talk with him and make sure he knows what you prefer.

I have a 20 gauge TVM fowler and a 16 gauge Mike Brooks gun. The TVM fowler is two pounds jeavier than the Brooks gun.

Pete

An advantage to a larger bore. And Brooks gun certainly are nice.

Pete D. said:

I have a 20 gauge TVM fowler and a 16 gauge Mike Brooks gun. The TVM fowler is two pounds jeavier than the Brooks gun.

Pete

Click to expand...

Wow! what are the relative weights? Two pounds is a LOT.

My 42" bbl, Colerain Griffin swamped 16 bore Brooks is right at 7 lbs.

A real sweetheart. Not a featherweight and very pleasant to shoot.