Pickin out a smoothy??

I have a hankering for a 20ga smooth bore. But how do you guys find the right one for you.i can look at pics until I am blue in the face. Before I plop down 1500 -2000 bucks,I would like to hold the gun and shoulder it and all that good stuff. Is there anywhere in the New England area where one could see the diff styles and make a choice?? Or do I drive out to Friendship for a gun??? What do you guys do?? Thanks

Dixon's Gunmaker's Fair in PA.
http://www.dixonmuzzleloading.com/

i dont know them ,,but they have a very nice one

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/MDBF.shtml


target man

You likely could go to Ft Ticonderoga during the re-enactment. I am sure folks there would be glad to let you look at and shoulder some guns. I did it at the Old Stone Ft. in Schoharie NY during their re-enactment. Folks there were more than willing to let me handle their guns and talk with me. There was a gent there that sold Larry Zornes Mold and Gun Shop parts sets so I got to shoulder a type D from him before I bought it from Larry himself. Check Ft Ticonderoga's website for dates. It's a lot closer.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

Tip Curtis.

Also if staying with the New England style is a concern, this book is a must if you can find a copy. Especially if you choose to have one custom built.
http://www.amazon.com/Flintlock-Fowlers-First-Guns-America/dp/1880655187

Come to an Ancient Ones event in Maine, we have all different breeds.
Nit Wit

Howdy!

Nessmuck56 said:

I have a hankering for a 20ga smooth bore. But how do you guys find the right one for you. What do you guys do?? Thanks

Click to expand...

A few things. Who are you in the history world? Have you considered a persona or specific person, place, time you want to be? If you decide this first, your choices of guns will become much easier to pick from. Plus your kit will match one person in history.
Second, looks like you are in the market for a gun you can feel. If this is the case, yes I recommend visiting trade fairs or shows which sell guns there, instead of ordering one to be built.

Hope this helps.

Ness--

Here is a link with links to traditional muzzleloading clubs.

If you contact these guys in MA or ME or NH I am sure they will be helpful and knowledgeable and let you shoulder some 20 gauge smoothies.
http://www.coon-n-crockett.org/linklist.htm


Also please investigate and research and do not buy garbage from places that offer old looking replicas that might look shiny but are manure. You'll regret it.

How much experience knowledge do you have about old firearms. Are you new to this? Flintlock or percussion?

And while you stated you have a hankering for a 20 gauge smoothie, it would be helpful to know what you plan to do with it. Hunt? Target? Reinact? Just have it hanging on a wall? Shoot at the moon?

Zoar is right, we will also let you shoot some, I have 3or4or 5.
The lock is probably the most important factor and then the barrel.
Nit Wit

Been shooting BP since 1980 and just flinters since 1988 and have thrown my fair share of lead down range. Hunting deer,punching holes in paper. Would try some skeet with it too. A smooth bore is just a diff gun for me and I see it As a challenge.

theres a guy on Rt2 in Pepperell, Ma who sells custom and factory primitive blackpowder and traditional archery,, its call "the Hunters Randezvous" track of the wolf has them available and you can chck em out before you commit to buying it but they are marked up,, an added price for not waiting you could say.

Excellent!

Yes I share your interest in getting a smooth bore flintlock next. It is also on my list.

I will most likely buy a kit and build it myself. This is what I am eyeing---- http://www.avsia.com/tvm/fowler.htm

$700 bucks in steel with some options like the swivels so add another $100.

OR this one: http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Cate...WLING-GUN-FLINT-PARTS-LIST-HOOKED-BREECH/List


I'd visit that guy on Route 2 in Massachusetts. He sounds like a fairly close option for you!

Z:
those tvm kits are good,They are in Jack Garner's garage and shop in Corinth Ms.I stopped by onnce and bought a kit for our club. Good people!
Nit Wit

Was in his shop In '83 .....he's still there!!! WOW, might have to take a ride.

Ness---I'd say your original post has mined out for you some good leads so far! :thumbsup:

So are you thinking Fowler or another style smoothie at this point? I know you want to shoulder some and maybe even shoot some but where are you thinking you might be going with it?

And you did say 20 gauge right?

What about http://middlesexvillagetrading.com/

I never bought from them but did talk to them severeal times on the phone and thought they were very friendly.

And I also agree with the guys about Dixons....it's SOOO worth the drive. Supercracker and I drove 15 hours last year and I don't regret it a bit. I'm trying to scrape up funds to go next year.

Looked at some of Roy Stroh's guns.... The New England Fowler in a 20ga. With a 42 -44 inch browned barrel with the L&R lock looks real good ! And the English Trade ain't to shabby either. Don't need anything fancy (already have those) but a high end barrel and lock are a must!!, Iam on the fence about a rear sight.....I think I would want one...is that bad ..LOL