Best value flintlock

ronaldrothb49 · Mar 17, 2023

Too many questions that need to be answered. What are you intendng to use it for? What is your price range? Are you looking for a kit or a finished rifle? What style of gun? etc.
I have known guys who bought a TC for $400 thinking it was a good deal. Then they have problems with the lock so for $200 they get a replacement lock. Then the barrel just doesn't give them the accuracy they want so $350 for a drop in barrel. Now it's shooting pretty good but the triggers just aren't so good so another $100 for new trigger. Well now it's shooting great but that stock just isn't as pretty assome others so another $350 for a new curly maple stock. So now you pretty much have a custom rifle. Do the math you could have bought a Kibler or Chambers kit for less money and you would have had top quality parts from the start for less money.

mushka · Mar 17, 2023

I have bought a couple of really good flintlocks from people on this board, it wouldn't hurt to look on the for sale board.

david w · Mar 17, 2023

mushka said:
I have bought a couple of really good flintlocks from people on this board, it wouldn't hurt to look on the for sale board.

You beat me to it. I bought a Kibler SMR from a forum member.

mushka · Mar 17, 2023

Mine weren't Kiblers, they were hand made by men that built a lot of guns Prices were less than Kiblers kits.

B P Maniac Shooter · Mar 17, 2023

Forget the gun builders and pick up a Kibler kit.
They are roughly $1200-$1300 & you can put it together in a week to 10 days.
You'll have a fantastic gun to shoot that is lightweight and will last for decades.
Buy once, cry once and you won't regret it.

HSmithTX · Mar 17, 2023

My first flintlock was a used Investarms made Cabela's 54 purchased here, it shoots great. It is also reliable. It cost less than 1/3rd a Kibler kit. It's probably 1/3rd the rifle a Kibler is if YOU value HC/PC and fit and things like that, but it is very accurate and reliable and those are the core attributes we should place above all others. Value is an individual thing, for some guys a $400 mass produced commodity rifle like a TC or Investarms is where the value is because they really don't care about HC/PC or some gaps in the fit etc, for others the value is going to be in getting an heirloom quality piece at a price they can afford. That price can go from maybe a grand to decent new car money while still being 'affordable' to the individual making the decision. I say, as long as you get a rifle and shoot it and enjoy it THAT is where the value is for YOU. Will your opinion change? Absolutely, or at least very likely. If you catch the bug it absolutely will change, and I don't see how anyone can shoot a flintlock and not catch the bug,

billraby · Mar 17, 2023

Best value will always be building from a blank. And making the parts yourself. It is also the most work.

Jason holgate · Mar 17, 2023

I wanted to know best value to get ideas I should have specified target shooting at black powder clubs and some deer hunting.....I really enjoyed all your responses and thank you for your time and knowledge....I am going with a kibler woodsrunner in cherry and a t.c. renegade as a spare

david w · Mar 17, 2023

Jason holgate said:
I wanted to know best value to get ideas I should have specified target shooting at black powder clubs and some deer hunting.....I really enjoyed all your responses and thank you for your time and knowledge....I am going with a kibler woodsrunner in cherry and a t.c. renegade as a spare

I truly believe you will love your Woodsrunner!

Thingamajiggy · Mar 17, 2023

Jason holgate said:
I wanted to know best value to get ideas I should have specified target shooting at black powder clubs and some deer hunting.....I really enjoyed all your responses and thank you for your time and knowledge....I am going with a kibler woodsrunner in cherry and a t.c. renegade as a spare

That pair should serve you well.

Semisane · Mar 17, 2023

I'm "that guy" who would never consider a $1,000 flintlock. I don't care about PC, just love shooting reliable and accurate muzzleloaders. I have about a dozen caplocks and three flintlocks. All were well below a thousand bucks.

Here are my flinters. Which one do I like best and shoot the most.? The .54 Great Plains.

B P Maniac Shooter · Mar 17, 2023

Semisane said:
I'm "that guy" who would never consider a $1,000 flintlock. I don't care about PC, just love shooting reliable and accurate muzzleloaders. I have about a dozen caplocks and three flintlocks. All were well below a thousand bucks.

Here are my flinters. Which one do I like best and shoot the most.? The .54 Great Plains.

WOW....someone else thinks like I do?? How sweet is that????
I feel the same way. I don't care about PC either.
$700.00 is the most I've spent on any one BP gun.
The rest of mine were a LOT less than that price.
Like you..I focus on guns that are reliable to use.

I don't need to spend $1000's or more on guns to have a lot of fun!

Flint Striker · Mar 17, 2023

I’d definitely go towards the $700 to $1,000+ kit or gun. I like the history and elegant styling of more historically inspired muzzleloaders, and you usually don’t get that until you get into the mid or upper price range.

Sun City · Mar 17, 2023

Jason holgate said:
Opinions wanted.....what is the best value on a good flintlock???....I'll buckle up thank you in advance

50 caliber w/Sharon barrel/L&R Lock/Davis triggers...$1400.00 and it's yours. You pay the freight! Hate to sell but at 83 I need to move a few! If you know marksmanship this rifle will please you!

Sun City · Mar 17, 2023

B P Maniac Shooter said:
WOW....someone else thinks like I do?? How sweet is that????
I feel the same way. I don't care about PC either.
$700.00 is the most I've spent on any one BP gun.
The rest of mine were a LOT less than that price.
Like you..I focus on guns that are reliable to use.

I don't need to spend $1000's or more on guns to have a lot of fun!

Well...that's good! I'm proud for you!

Widows Son · Mar 17, 2023

Loyalist Dave said:
SO this is difficult to say...., because the question will mix "kits" (which vary a lot) with finished rifles and guns, AND with factory produced items.... plus for some there may be a price-point that puts some options out of reach.

Finally, what is one going to do with their flintlock? IF one is strictly doing targets, that's different than hunting small game, which is different than also hunting large game, which is different than small game, birds, and big game....,

I'm going to leave "used" guns that are "out of production" out of this equation, because they greatly vary in price and condition... too much to write "these are as a rule a good value".

So IF one has the skills, and the budget, the Kibler kit is an excellent choice. No question!

IF one does not have the skills, or the budget, then the Pedersoli Frontier in .54 flintlock is an excellent choice for an out-of-the-box rifle for Big game and targets.... it also comes in .50 and is currently, reasonably priced. Lyman rifles tend to be a good value too, and the Lyman Trade Rifle in .50 or .54 is slightly less expensive than the Pedersoli Frontier.

If one does not have the skills, and also wants to hunt small game and birds, then the Pedersoli Indian Trade Musket is probably the best value, as it's a smoothbore but will also shoot .610 round ball. That being said, IF one has some basic skill with wood finishing, AND wants to hunt birds, small game, and big game, then the Pedersoli Indian Trade Musket KIT, is the best value out there.

IF one is simply looking to shoot blanks while at a historic reenactment, and beat the heck out of it, then a 1st Model 1756 Bess, with matching bayonet, from Loyalist Arms LLC, is in my opinion the best choice for the money.

IF you want something that looks like you went back in time, and grabbed a relic before it got old, and brought it back to shoot and to display..., then you want to contact Dave Person (@dave_person ) and have him build a Bess or a fusil or something for you.

IF you wanted to hunt with a flintlock handgun, AND wanted something really different..., and don't most of us "dare to be different" ?...., then in that case you want a Pedersoli Bounty Hunter Flintlock Pistol (it has a 16" barrel ) , and what the heck, have a stock maker fit it for a removeable shoulder stock....., while at the same time have the barrel reamed out as a smoothbore for shot...., It's a pistol so you're going to be "right on top" of the deer anyway, and as a smoothie it will give you small game and maybe some upland birds...

LD

Reminds me of the Kipling poem..’if’, ”if”, “lf”

TDM · Mar 17, 2023

Get a Kibler kit, the SMRs go .32 to .45 and the Woodsrunner goes .45 to .54. You’ll have a quality rifle.

Coinneach · Mar 18, 2023

Johnny Tremain said:
A guy walked into a Cadillac dealership, asked what gas mileage a car got.
The salesman said, If you cant afford the gas, you cant afford the car.

There is no value, there is poorly made production guns and ones you make yourself.
So take your choice, cheap and hardship, buy quality and have a machine that functions darn near perfect.
Did it both ways. The built my self is much better, and I spread the $800 in parts over a few months.

An old saying comes to mind, "All things come to he who waits"
Its certainly stood the test of time in my 70 years of living, identify the style and specs of the Flinter youre prepared to save and wait for, then factor in a good slab of patience. Monitor the "For Sale" thread here and search everywhere else, chances are you'll find what your looking for......I've had an amazing stroke of good fortune on this forum over the last couple of weeks, yet to be announced; I'll relate the story when the item is finally paid for (more than 50% already deposited).
IMO we're now in an era of remarkable opportunities when it comes to 2nd hand MLs coming up for sale, as our generation fades away.

stikshooter · Mar 18, 2023

ronaldrothb49 said:
Too many questions that need to be answered. What are you intendng to use it for? What is your price range? Are you looking for a kit or a finished rifle? What style of gun? etc.
I have known guys who bought a TC for $400 thinking it was a good deal. Then they have problems with the lock so for $200 they get a replacement lock. Then the barrel just doesn't give them the accuracy they want so $350 for a drop in barrel. Now it's shooting pretty good but the triggers just aren't so good so another $100 for new trigger. Well now it's shooting great but that stock just isn't as pretty assome others so another $350 for a new curly maple stock. So now you pretty much have a custom rifle. Do the math you could have bought a Kibler or Chambers kit for less money and you would have had top quality parts from the start for less money.

I have CF rifles with target triggers that my TC s will beat every time and have not had a TC barrel that
I didn't like ,usually them that complain about their rifles should practice more !/Ed

stikshooter · Mar 18, 2023

This one competes with the (modern ones @700 yds with the help of Lee Shavers sights/Rice barrels !

Best value flintlock

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