Jim Kibler's Colonial Rifle

Gentlemen, there's a wonderful thread in the gunsmithing forum on this incredibly well-made flintlock kit. Kibler's Web site says the design elements should be correct for the 1760s and 1770s. My question is how "proper" would this gun be for possible use by a rifleman from the Mid-Atlantic colonies in the Revolutionary War? What, if anything, might be done to it to make it more historically accurate for this use?

Plenty proper. You don’t need to do anything. There was so much variation at each timeframe of longrifles in America that there is no single “look” that is “right”.

Still, all pre-Revolutionary War rifles should share common characteristics including a wide buttplate with little curvature, a swamped barrel substantial in the breech, a lock that fits the time period, and so on.

Just received mine in the mail yesterday... Absolutely blown away with these true "kit guns".

Stock architecture is beautifully done, crisp, clean and the eye follows the stock lines as should.

Can't believe Jim sells these for what hes does... The quality is just phenomenal. Even the mountings being cast parts almost fit perfectly.

I have hinted around that I sure would like to have one of these. We will see if the "kids" come through at Christmas.... Lord knows I have bought enough cars and college sheepskins for them over the years...

Nah...you know they gonna get ya something you "need" :shake:

azmntman said:

Nah...you know they gonna get ya something you "need" :shake:

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AARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! Who is John Galt?

Gus

Tell them to order it now... The backlog keeps getting longer and longer... I placed a order for a SMR as well, which likely wont be done till December.

Jim has hit the nail on the head with these rifle kits and I would venture to make a safe assumption he only will be getting more business and backlogs will be getting longer.

I'm flabbergasted at the kit myself, it's a joy just to look at sitting in the shipping crate!

It took almost three months to the day before I got mine. I think that the holdup was for the .58 cal. round rifling barrel to be produced. :thumbsup:

I'm likely gonna build another one after I get done with this Leman. But.....just quit saying how nice his kits are!!! I need just a little time to "jar my pennies!!"

Hold up on the SMR's is a new mold chmabers is producing for the lock. Shouldn't be much longer hopefully!

right, the kits have long been ready to go, but just need the locks.

If only they were in left handed variants as well.

Jfoster said:

If only they were in left handed variants as well.

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They are a good looking kit. I normally shoot left but I'm thinking of ordering one anyway and brush up on my right hand shooting.

kswan said:

They are a good looking kit. I normally shoot left but I'm thinking of ordering one anyway and brush up on my right hand shooting.

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Why? If you had a SxS flintlock one of the lock would be on the same side as your face. Get a flash deflector like the reenactors use to prevent any jet from the touch-hole from crossing in front of your face. The cheek rest wont be against your face, so that's not a problem.

LD

Loyalist Dave said:

Why? If you had a SxS flintlock one of the lock would be on the same side as your face. Get a flash deflector like the reenactors use to prevent any jet from the touch-hole from crossing in front of your face. The cheek rest wont be against your face, so that's not a problem.

LD

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That's an option also. I'm right handed but shoot left. I've trained in the past right so just need to shoot a bit that side again and of course get a new bag.