Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading

Hello, I'm new to the forum. Looking for info. Anyone have any input about TVM muzzleloaders, good, bad or indifferent?
Thanks

Welcome to the Forum.

Most think the guns built by TVM are well made using American parts and are a good buy for the money.

A few members have had some complaints with the guns they have received but I've never been able to figure out what they thought was so bad.

The only thing I don't like about their stocks is the method they use to make the channel for the ramrod.
Rather than drilling a deep hole, they drill the entry hole about 2-2 1/2" deep and then mill a long slot from the end of the drilled hole down towards the lock.
The milled cut is thru the bottom of the barrel channel.
I've never heard of a problem caused by this method but IMO, it removes more wood than is necessary.

I "fixed" the one stock I bought from them that had this sort of ramrod hole by gluing a piece of wood into the top of the milled groove.

Anyway, if you decide to buy from them be prepared for a bit of a wait. As I understand it, they have quite a backlog.

I have a TVM Early Lancaster in 50cal that I received this past spring. No issues. I love this gun. I just ordered another Early Lancaster in 32cal a month ago. It's about a 6 month wait.

I'm completely satisfied with my .45 cal Late Lancaster flintlock. It's affordable, reliable, accurate, finely crafted and pretty. They now make a fair likeness of a J.Henry for the fur trade era. It's much like the Late Lancaster but has a single trigger and period correct optional patch box. One of these days I'll order one of their Tennessee pistols to match my Lancaster.

Although I've only seen about 10 of them, they all seem to be a bit fat and appear to be a bit slab sided.

Specifically, the lock panels on all the ones I've seen are too fat, and the lower fore-arm seems a bit slab sided. Might be that the webbing is too thick between RR channel and barrel channel, or some such.
Anyway, this is a criticism of architecture and aesthetics.

I've never shot one, so I can't comment on it's quality of operation.

My two cents.

'evening,

Picked one up at a semi-local shop. I wanted to upgrade from my Traditions, but not spend a ton of cash. They handed me a TVM in .50, and it just felt right. Balanced beautifully, length of pull, everything.

Sadly, I don't know what model it is, the tag blew out the window on the way home...

That was this summer. I don't get to the range as often as I'd like, so I'm still making friends with it. But absolutely no complaints about it.

Calum

I bought a southern rifle kit from tvm. It had guality parts and tvm was very helpful with any assistance over the phone. I heartily recomend them.

Welcome Smokey, I hate to be a spoil sport...But which TVM are you referring too? There are two TVM's as far as I know. Both were located in N. Mississippi. But one moved to S. Mississippi it is the one most people refer to. :idunno: Does your gun have a name on the top flat of the barrel?

As far as I know both build a quality gun.

Thanks for all the helpful information, I would like to upgrade from a T/C hawken.
The Early Virginia really caught my eye, so I think I will pull the trigger, wait time is not a issue as long as I get a month or two before 2017 flintlock season here in Pa.

TVM located in Natchez MS.

You're right.

There is Tennessee Valley Manufacturing, started by Jack Garner.
They sell mainly muzzleloading things like jags, patchboxes stock blanks and such.
http://www.tennesseevalleymanufacturing.com/

Then there is Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading who is mainly into building finished rifles (although they offer some of them "in the white" for a lower price. "In the white" means the stock and barrel are left ready for a finish sanding, staining and applying the finishing oils or browning or bluing the barrel.

http://www.tennesseevalleymuzzleloading.com/

I've had my TVM Southern for about a year now. Had two problems with it. The first was not TVMs fault the second well maybe I'm overly picky. The first problem was wood shrinkage. Had to pull the triggers out and shim them to get them to work properly after about a week. No fault of TVMs necessarily since the gun was built in a place that most likely has 80-90% humidity then shipped to a place that regularly has humidity in the single digits. Second problem was the site dovetails look like they were cut by a third grader with a hacksaw. So I ordered new sites and recut the dovetails and refit the new sites.

That being said I'm overall pleased with the rifle. For the price it's a good value and yes I would still recommend them and would probably use them again.

I've got one in .36 caliber, a fine and very accurate little rifle. I ordered a full-size one in .50 caliber with a lot of bells and whistles and it should be here in Feb or so.

I had to send the lock back on my .36 because the hammer had movement side to side. It's a Siler lock and not the fault of TVM. They fixed it by putting in a new tumbler.

My first flintlock. A Southern Mountain rifle, IIRC. I was amazed at how accurate the rifle is. A head-knocker squirrel rifle for sure.

If I had it to do over again, I'd get a 44 inch barrel, just because. The one I have is 36" which is excellent for a quick squirrel rifle, so maybe I wouldn't.

where in PA are you located?

I was in the same situation four years ago. I took the rifle to TVM and Matt confirmed that it was one of their rifles. Matt gave me the paperwork confirming that it was his Southern Mountain Rifle. He included in the description the barrel maker the lock maker etc. Having that kind of documentation is very valuable. Maybe if you called him and sent pictures of your rifle he may be able to help you.

My wife and I spent about an hour in his shop and then he sent us over to the Jefferson academy which was just around the corner. We toured it and Tony suggested a antebellum home to tour which we did.
I would do business with them in a minute if I needed another rifle.

I was looking for a 32 cal flintlock for practice really, they are cheaper to shoot. figure casting maxi balls and round balls, 15-25 gr of 3f is cheaper that the 60 + in the big guns. The only barrel I found was a rice barrel but I don't think TVM sells guns with Rice Barrels, I may have overlooked when I was on the site. They looked on par with Pecatonica River?

my bad they do sell Rice barrels

Since you like the Early Virginia, I think that the upgrade to a swamped barrel and a Chambers lock should be considered. The swamped barrel really improves the handling and the Chambers lock is better suited to an Early Virginia Rifle.

As for barrel length, I recommend the 42 inch length.

I have their Early Virginia in .50 with a 42" Rice swamped barrel. The swamped barrel is well worth the extra cost. Nicely balanced and feels lighter. Wonderful rifle.

30 miles Northeast of Pittsburgh.

If you’re just trying to upgrade from a TC, then you will likely be pleased with TVM. If you were attempting to commission a gun which aesthetically resembles an original, you may be disappointed if you ever get up close and personal with originals or guns from makers who have studied originals. That said, you would more than likely be getting a nice functional firearm and a big step up from a TC.