Jim Kibler Rifles

A friend of mine, just went to the Post Office and picked up his Jim Kibler rifle.

Fist impression, it was crated in a nice plywood box.
Second, the wood was very nice and the inletting was near perfect. Some tiny fitting will be required.

It is a .40 Flintlock witha Rice barrel and I'm guess ing a Chambers lock, but not sure about that. But really nice anyway. It doesn't have a nose piece, but it is North Carolina mountain style and even in the unfinished stage, is a beautiful piece of work.

I honestly believe that an experienced builder, could put this rifle together, "In the White", in one day. It's just that complete.

All I can say is I left his house, wanting one.

I'm not sure about the cost, but you can get all those details from his web site.

I have talked to a friend who just got one in an he is as impressed as you :thumbsup:

I've heard excellent things about his kits! He's been in the back of my mind as well. It's definitely worth investigating. :hmm:

Respectfully, Cowboy

The kits are just on a grand ($995).

And yes, Rice barrel (golden age swamp) in 32 to 45 Cal, the lock is a Chamber's late Ketland. Everything else is custom designed/sourced by Jim.

If want fancy wood that will add upto $150 to the pricetag.

He uses CNC to shape the stocks instead of one of the dupicator's such as used by Pecatonica which gives a little better inlet tolerances.

This can be an "order and wait" kinda kit. He doesn't seem to keep any great inventory, more of a "order it and I will put it together to you" deals.

Hi,
I spoke with Jim at the 18th century artisan's show. He and Katherine are working overtime to produce these kits and meet demand. They just finished building a much larger shop to amplify production and expand the offerings to include other kits. Very soon, they will have a Revolutionary War period rifle kit for sale. The mountain rifle is incredibly well done and Jim and Kate hit a home run in selecting that style. To my eyes, it is the prettiest southern mountain rifle available from anyone and the styling is historically correct based on some originals by Joseph Whitson of NC. The lock is a Chamber's late Ketland lock, which is one of the best production locks made today. I could complete one of these kits in about the time it takes for the finish to dry. I strongly urge new gun builders to consider this kit because it will teach you very quickly many of the nuances of shaping required to make a long rifle look right.

dave

I like Jim's kits and would love to have one. He told me, however, that the lop is set at 14" which is way to long for my personal lop of 12.5" to 13" max. Life is hard when you're a squirt.

While, I take a shorter stock, myself, I believe they held these stocks more down on the arm, than up high on the shoulder.

I'll be looking at the gun a little more as he completes the finish, and I'll try to get a better idea on the fit.

I just got back home a few minutes ago. I took some tools, stains, and etc. to help my friend get started on the build.

The more I look at it, the more I want one, even if I have to wait.

I have a SMR, but not in flint and I'm anxious to see what other offerings he will have.

Hi Hanshi,
You could easily knock an inch of more off the butt. You would have to drill new holes in the wood and you might want to shorten the butt plate return even to the point of losing the first screw hole. The toe plate would need to be moved up and perhaps shortened, and the height of the butt would be reduced a little by the shortening. However, based on the architecture of the gun, shortening would still keep good proportions and look right.

dave

I have handled one of Jim's kit guns at a CLA show and it fit me very well. I was thinking of short stocking one for my wife but was concerned that it comes with a 46" barrel and thought for my wife's 12 1/2" length of pull that might be a bit too long of a barrel. Would love to have one for myself tho! Greg

Jim's kits are top quality and I believe he has recognized a real opportunity. There are many folks interested in a nice muzzleloader who think they can build a "kit" but are sadly disappointed when they find out (too late) that it is beyond their skills and experience. However, they want to feel that they had some part in building their gun. Jim's product is pretty close to the definition of a "kit": It simply requires careful assembly and finishing - enough hand work to give the owner a feeling of accomplishment without his investing in books, videos, and tools.

My Nephew built one last fall.....curved butt plate 3" + drop 32 cal. Walnut...very nice if it fits the shooter.
Quality all the way through..Jim Hit the ball out of the park with this one.

Will he do them for you if you furnish him some custom spec's, like drop at comb, LOP, cast-off, toe in, or supply him your own wood? Or, is it just a "this is what I do, and that's it" sort of deal?

I don't think that with the volume he is doing, there is amy ability to customize the kids any further. That is up to the finisher.

Doc

Jim's stocks are cut on a CNC machine using a program.

Changes are not likely.

As I understand it you can use your own piece of wood.

Jim has some very nice pieces of wood, I dont think you would be disappointed.

If I had not just gotten a .40 last summer and have a .54 cal being built that should be done next month I would of bought one of these kits months when they were first offered.

Fleener

Also keep in mind that Jim Kibler is one of the best custom builders out there. That he is combining his engineering skills to produce rifle kits that can be put together by the novice is extraordinary. Very cool and I am looking forward to future styles that he will reproduce in the future. No small investment on his part.

Agree 100%.. I'm also interested in one of Jim's rifles. Being new to black powder rifles and having no knowledge regarding building one, I had a ton of questions for Jim. Jim Kibler has the one skill that sold me on purchasing one of his kits.. Excellent Communication! He patiently answered every question I had via e-mail in a timely manner.He also told me to call anytime if I ran into a problem during the build. Now, just to save up the money..