Traditional ML'ing on the rise?

Stone Bridge said:

I belive it will come back in a few years with great[url] intrest....again[/url]. ... In time the inline market will become saturated and sales and interest will drop off. Thats when I belive the intrest in traditionals will start again.

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I think you are on to something here, Jim. Once the in-line market is saturated, and tech development has run out of "newer, faster, shiner!" there will be a swing in taste. And, in true marketing fashion, it will come about not because Slim is tired of hunting with his classic-plastic, but because Maker-X has convinced Slim that a slab of wood with a sidelock is the only manly way to hunt. Could it come to pass that the makers will be behind a big push to establish a traditional-only season in order to further increase demand? :hmm:

a slab of wood with a sidelock is the only manly way to hunt

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That could be the new slogan/battle cry. We'd have to be nice to the archers though, they could probably one up it if they wanted....

Desert Rat said:

a slab of wood with a sidelock is the only manly way to hunt

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That could be the new slogan/battle cry. We'd have to be nice to the archers though, they could probably one up it if they wanted....

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I'm also an archer, but the old smoke poles take all the B.S. right out of the game. :grin: I think that's why the Injuns said to hell with bows, when they could have a smoke pole instead. :rotf:

My idea of Traditional ML is probably different from others. For me when I say I hunt with a traditional ML I'm being specific to the gun I'm using. Otherwise, gortex clothing, GPS, binoculars, range finder are also what I use with the Traditional ML.

I tried the In-line thing but ended up getting rid of it as I liked the sidelock and underhammer better. :thumbsup:

Stone Bridge said:

As far as muzzle loaders go I think they will be one of the last guns to go. The first being assualt wepons hi cap pistol. pistols in general centerfires and so forth down the line. This may not happen in our lifetime but it will happen.

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With all due respect, I have to disagree with you. I belong to, and contribute to, the N.R.A., the I.L A., and the P.V.F. As long as we are aware of political ploys to ban our guns, and make our voices heard, this will not happen. When we give up, and don't do our part as gun owners, by thinking, or saying, this or that is inevitable, then, and only then will our rights be diminished. By the way, I belong to these groups, not only to protect my rights, but also for future generations.

I believe that what benifited muzzleloading in the 60's to the 80's was the maturing of the Davy Crockett (Fess Parker/John Wayne in The Alamo)generation, as well as the previously mentioned Civil War centenial. This generation grew up, after watching lots of westerns, to have tremendous dispoable incomes. Today's kids have far different role models (God help us, most seem to be rappers or sports hoodlums). I am not optimistic aboutmuzzleloading's future. Like the classic game of Chess in the age of the video game, there will always be some interest by a few. I don't beleive that there would be any muzzleloading without the internet. How many of you obtain most of your supplies on-line now? When I started in '78, everything I needed was in a small town hardware store, now I can't find much in all of Southeast Texas.

I believe the show Daniel Boone, and Davey Crocket did to ML what Quigley Down Under did to the Sharps. I've said it before and I'll say it again. If the (traditional style) ML industry wants a bump in popularity, invest in a ML movie where the ML is portrayed in a positive light. :thumbsup:

Landngroove,
I hope I am wrong and the last thing I want to see is our rights dissaper. I have been a member of the NRA for years and am a activist for GOAL Gun Owners Action Leauge, a grass roots organization that has fought very hard in a long up hill battle here in Ma. We here in Ma.have some of the worst gun laws in the countrys and face a strong opposition that is well intrenched. the assualt weppons ban is still in efect as well as a ban on several hand guns. Not just the Sat. night specials but well knowen high end hand guns guns like glocks and Kimbers.We can't even buy mail order brass or bullets never mind loaded ammo. So when I say these things it is to light a fire under people. It worked on you...The point I made about bring the youth into the sport is a valid one I do my part but how Many others do? We need them to carry on in our foot steps. There are to many complacent people who are content to let others do their work for them I am not one of them!!!
To the moderators, I am sorry if I hijacked this post.
To Landngroove, I'm on your side brother. If you want to talk more PM me.....Jim

TxRambler said:

I am not optimistic aboutmuzzleloading's future.... I don't beleive that there would be any muzzleloading without the internet. How many of you obtain most of your supplies on-line now? When I started in '78, everything I needed was in a small town hardware store, now I can't find much in all of Southeast Texas.

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Yes, but.... I agree that the internet has certainly helped the hobby of muzzleloading. It allows folks that are curious about MLs to learn more on the topic even if there are no shooters in the local area. As you say, it also gives us a way to find and get supplies when none can be had from local dealers. From all of this, I think the internet will (can) contribute to the growth of the hobby, making me more optimistic about the future.

Case in point.... there are about a dozen ML shooters (that I know of) in the county. Didn't know a single one of them until AFTER I came to this forum, learned what I needed to know to get started, and even got my first gun from a forum member. Only then, after tips from folks on this forum, was I able to track down the local shooters and get to know them. Without the 'net, none of that would have happened, and I probably wouldn't have got beyond the curiosity stage.

But real growth, beyond opening the door to folks that already have an interest, has to come from the sort of swelling public interest that comes with movies, more air time on sporting shows, advertising hype, etc.

Ms., La. and possibly other states are now allowing breech loading cartridge rifles with smokeless powder in their primitive weapons seasons. This to me bodes an ill wind for ML everywhere.

Maybe I'm missing something.... what is there in that arrangement that is "primitive"? Is it that it is a single-shot weapon?

AZ-Robert said:

Maybe I'm missing something.... what is there in that arrangement that is "primitive"? Is it that it is a single-shot weapon?

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You got me. Ms. used to be strict on primitive weapons. When inlines first came out they were outlawed for pw. Then they allowed them with scopes. Before that you couldn't use a scope period during pw. Now all ya gotta have is a single shot breech loader with an external hammer. I don't think it's come about from an over abundance of deer either. You still can't take anything under 4 points. When deer get abundant nub spikes are legal. I can't figure it out.

:hmm: :hmm: .....you don't suppose $$$$$$$$ is part of the equation ??????

If it wasn't for the internet and this forum I wouldn't be able to do muzzleloading....

I think the internet could be the salvation of trad. ML shooting due to the easy access to info and suplies, unfortunately the other type of guns have a strong foot hold and the definition "load from the front" standing alone does not help, and the term traditional has become a rather low set bar, and the easy access to info metioned above is often bad info, so time will tell...

jderrick said:

If it wasn't for the internet and this forum I wouldn't be able to do muzzleloading....

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I agree, but I also wonder if more of the local stores wouldn't carry the guns and supplies if we couldn't shop the internet. In other words, is the internet the "big box store" that drove the mom and pops away, or have the mom and pops switched to the internet and mail order?

I like the instant access and the variety provided by the internet, but I am tired of shopping for guns (a major financial decision for me) based on sales pictures and recomendadtions on this site. I remember the days when I could hold the rifle and select the very one that I wanted, and it wasn't that long ago. I could see different models side by side. I really miss that.

In short, the internet has been wonderful for this sport. I can shop from home and select from a larger variety and inventory than any one store could carry, but have we lost something as well? Has it cost us the local ML store?

TxRambler said:

I don't beleive that there would be any muzzleloading without the internet. How many of you obtain most of your supplies on-line now? When I started in '78, everything I needed was in a small town hardware store

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Back in '78 I was doing about what I do now...buying many of my guns and parts through catalogs. Mail ordering from places like Dixie, Navy Arms, Mowery, etc. The only real difference was that back then you looked at a paper catalog and called them on the telephone, instead of online ordering.
Sure, back then I could stop in at Golden Age Arms on my way to work and pick up parts and black powder. But I can still buy black powder locally, And Log Cabin Shop is only 90 miles away.
The internet makes it easier to find information, parts, people, etc....but it didn't really change how I get guns and parts. I still order them from out of town/state and they arrive in the mail.
What I miss are the good magazines. Seems like Muzzleloader and MuzzleBlasts are about it these days. E-zines just don't do it for me.
Jack

"Back in '78 I was doing about what I do now...buying many of my guns and parts through catalogs. Mail ordering from places like Dixie, Navy Arms, Mowery, etc."

Same here, I bought more than a few originals out of the old Shotgun News without even pictures. Before buying I worked out all the particulars with the seller in writing. Never had a problem, sorted out the bums from the good.

Speaking of which, you may want to check out the article in the March/April edtion of the Muzzeleloader. It's titled, "Walt Disney's Davy Crockett". Very interesting article. You get to hear some personal input from the shows star, Fess Parker.

Aside from popping off a round of black powder, isi'nt there something to be said of the graceful beauty of a maple or walnut stocked longrifle?

You won't get that at a Cabellas or Gander Mountain. Okay, you could order a custom Dakota centerfire rifle which will have some grace to it.