Jim Chambers vs. TVM Kit

[TreeRat91]

Hi all, I’m sure this as been asked multiple times, but I figured after searching and not finding a ton of info I would ask. I am looking at building my first flintlock in either .50 or .54 cal for hunting whitetail and paper. I am looking at either the Early York kit from Jim Chambers, or the Southern Basic kit from TVM. I’m wondering if one is a better suited kit for a beginner as far as what work still needs to be completed. Is one outfit better to work with over the other/offer better quality? Or are there any other kits/builders you recommend I check out? I’ve read good things about Kibler kits, but was looking for something a little more involved. If this isn’t the correct place for this thread, just say so and I’ll delete it.

Thanks!

 

[erhunter]

Early Yorks from Chambers are beautiful, sleek and make a terrific light rifle. These kits require about 100-150 hours to complete but could be put together by a first timer with patience. His packages are some of the best on the market. Kiblers also has top quality kits that are much easier to assemble and you'll end up with a top quality rifle. If your looking for a rewarding challenge and have the patience, the Chambers is the way I would go.

 

[TreeRat91]

Early Yorks from Chambers are beautiful, sleek and make a terrific light rifle. These kits require about 100-150 hours to complete but could be put together by a first timer with patience. His packages are some of the best on the market. Kiblers also has top quality kits that are much easier to assemble and you'll end up with a top quality rifle. If your looking for a rewarding challenge and have the patience, the Chambers is the way I would go.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m after exactly that, I’m just not crazy on the brass. It’s not a deal breaker, I just prefer steel furniture but I don’t want to get a lesser gun for steel over brass.

 

[Buckskinn]

I built a Chambers York in 40 caliber, beautiful gun. I think they make a 50 cal, but not a 54 in the York. I also built a Edward Marshall in 54 from Chambers and am working on an English Fowler. In my limited experience they are superb. I talked to Barbie Chambers this morning as a matter of fact...

 

[Kansas Kid]

I like the pecatonica stocks because the whole fore arm is still pretty much slab sided and it makes it easier to drill underlug and thimble pin holes accurately.

 

[TreeRat91]

I built a Chambers York in 40 caliber, beautiful gun. I think they make a 50 cal, but not a 54 in the York. I also built a Edward Marshall in 54 from Chambers and am working on an English Fowler. In my limited experience they are superb. I talked to Barbie Chambers this morning as a matter of fact...

Yeah, they have been super friendly over the phone answering all of my newbie questions.

 

[TreeRat91]

I like the pecatonica stocks because the whole fore arm is still pretty much slab sided and it makes it easier to drill underlug and thimble pin holes accurately.

That’s a good point, I didn’t think of that helping. I just thought of that as it’s that much more wood I have to take away.

 

[LRB]

For a beginner
#1 Kibler
#2 Chambers
#3 The others
IMHO, but your milage may vary.

 

[hanshi]

I can't claim any actual experience with kits. But based on what people have told me and things I've read about the more difficult to the easier kits to put together, I'll just throw this out. Chambers, I think, would be the more difficult for the beginner. The easiest absolutely has to be the Kibler kits. I'd put the TVM kits somewhere in the middle.

 

[dave_person]

Hi ACFlowers91,
I recommend Chambers over TVM kits. I am familiar with both and dislike the architecture of almost all TWM offerings. The web of wood separating the barrel from the ramrod channel is too thick creating a clunky appearance usually with the ramrod hanging below the muzzle cap. The rest of the architecture is so generic that it puts me to sleep. Chambers has a much greater actual diversity of guns because they don't use the same stock patterns for multiple offerings like TVM. I have experience with both companies products so my opinion is not based on hearsay. Chambers York kit is a fine rifle but take a look at the Pennsylvania fowler, which for which rifled barrels and steel hardware are offered.
https://www.flintlocks.com/rifles03.htmIt is a sleek, beautiful gun and a rifled version in 54 caliber will weigh in at just about 7 lbs. It might be amenable to a nice John Newcomer. Another good offering is Chambers Isaac Haines rifle. Here is a link to a thread about building one.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/building-a-chambers-isaac-haines-rifle-kit.116533/
dave

 

[TreeRat91]

For a beginner
#1 Kibler
#2 Chambers
#3 The others
IMHO, but your milage may vary.

Thanks for the reply! Have you built or dealt with any of the companies?

 

[TreeRat91]

I can't claim any actual experience with kits. But based on what people have told me and things I've read about the more difficult to the easier kits to put together, I'll just throw this out. Chambers, I think, would be the more difficult for the beginner. The easiest absolutely has to be the Kibler kits. I'd put the TVM kits somewhere in the middle.

Thank you for the reply! I’m definitely interested in all.

 

[TreeRat91]

Hi ACFlowers91,
I recommend Chambers over TVM kits. I am familiar with both and dislike the architecture of almost all TWM offerings. The web of wood separating the barrel from the ramrod channel is too thick creating a clunky appearance usually with the ramrod hanging below the muzzle cap. The rest of the architecture is so generic that it puts me to sleep. Chambers has a much greater actual diversity of guns because they don't use the same stock patterns for multiple offerings like TVM. I have experience with both companies products so my opinion is not based on hearsay. Chambers York kit is a fine rifle but take a look at the Pennsylvania fowler, which for which rifled barrels and steel hardware are offered.
https://www.flintlocks.com/rifles03.htmIt is a sleek, beautiful gun and a rifled version in 54 caliber will weigh in at just about 7 lbs. It might be amenable to a nice John Newcomer. Another good offering is Chambers Isaac Haines rifle. Here is a link to a thread about building one.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/building-a-chambers-isaac-haines-rifle-kit.116533/
dave

Thank you for all of that! I’ll definitely look into the PA Fowler! I talked to I believe Barbie (?) at Chambers, and she advised that the York balanced a little better. I’m a smaller person (5’5”) so I’m looking for a smaller person rifle.

 

[Buckskinn]

For a visual perspective between the two, top is English Fowler, middle is York and bottom is the Edward Marshall. I haven't begun to take the stock down yet, so not really fair comparison, not to mention I'm no expert to say the least... The E.M. is considered a clunky gun and it is (mine likely clunkier than most), but I love it and it has a fascinating story.

 

[TreeRat91]

For a visual perspective between the two, top is English Fowler, middle is York and bottom is the Edward Marshall. I haven't begun to take the stock down yet, so not really fair comparison, not to mention I'm no expert to say the least... The E.M. is considered a clunky gun and it is (mine likely clunkier than most), but I love it and it has a fascinating story.View attachment 112927

All beautiful guns! Do you have a favorite? And is that Fowler rifled?

 

[Buckskinn]

Fowler is in 20 ga, so not rifled. Well, the Fowler isn't finished so hard to put it in the mix. I really like shooting the York, very well balanced and accurate enough to kill a squirrel now and then. I'm sure that fowler is gonna to give it a run and hopefully start killing me some turkeys next spring.

 

[TreeRat91]

Fowler is in 20 ga, so not rifled. Well, the Fowler isn't finished so hard to put it in the mix. I really like shooting the York, very well balanced and accurate enough to kill a squirrel now and then. I'm sure that fowler is gonna to give it a run and hopefully start killing me some turkeys next spring.

That’s pretty awesome. You’ll definitely have to update us on your turkey hunt!

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
The Haines rifle is also light and well balanced. The barrel is only 38" so it is relatively short. The Edward Marshall rifle is not clunky. It has a thick wrist but everything in front of the lock is as slender as any long rifle. It balances extremely well. It is one of my favorite rifles. Here is a link to one I built but not from a kit. It is as exact a copy of the original as I can make.
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=64644.50It is a wonderful rifle.

dave

 

[TreeRat91]

Hi,
The Haines rifle is also light and well balanced. The barrel is only 38" so it is relatively short. The Edward Marshall rifle is not clunky. It has a thick wrist but everything in front of the lock is as slender as any long rifle. It balances extremely well. It is one of my favorite rifles. Here is a link to one I built but not from a kit. It is as exact a copy of the original as I can make.
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=64644.50It is a wonderful rifle.

dave

Beautiful gun! Do you know how the PA Fowler compares to the York? I talked to Chambers’ folks on the phone and they said that out of the York and Haines, they prefer the York due to balance.

 

[Vaino]

I've built 2 Chambers' Early Lancasters and they assembled w/ only a couple each of minor errors. ....considered pretty good for a parts set. Also did a Hawken from Pecatonica and initially found the lock inlet to be mislocated. Went down there and they cut me a new precarve while I waited and the new stock was their top grade which was one grade above my original. You'll actually learn a lot if a Chambers' is chosen.....Fred