$1,000 budget (set on stone): What should I recommend?

[GAHUNTER60]

A range acquaintance wants to transition from percussion sidelocks to flintlocks, and is looking to me to recommend what he should buy because he sees me shooting my Kibler with few, and usually no, misfires. He has a hard budget of a grand, so that pretty much rules out any custom rifles. So far, I've only been able to tell him to stay away from the cheaper mass produced imports, as their locks will end up driving him crazy when trying to get them to spark and fire reliably.

Any ideas on what's the most reliable non-custom flinter?

 

[2 shots]

watch for some kibler discounted kits.

 

[64Springer]

Save another 1,600 and buy TWO Kiblers.

 

[Grimord]

There are a couple of flinters for sale in the "Guns for sale forum" on this site. Several calibers to choose from, and some are under your friends dollar limit.

 

[TDM]

Tell your buddy to wait until he is firm at $1,500.

 

[#blackpowderbill]

Save you pennies and get a George Keiffer ,Roy Stroh,Jim Chambers, Williams and more.

 

[waksupi]

If he has a thousand bucks, he can sell whatever he is shooting now to make up the difference, and get a Kibler.

 

[tnlonghunter]

If he has a thousand bucks, he can sell whatever he is shooting now to make up the difference, and get a Kibler.

This. Plus, if he's not super picky, he can get one of the discounted, ready-to-ship sticks with cosmetic defects in the stock. It'll be closer to $1200 shipped, but selling something he's gonna stop using anyway should cover it.

 

[pacanis]

Tell your buddy to wait until he is firm at $1,500.

That's OK.
His friend's budget has only been set ON stone, not engraved IN stone.
So it could blow away and change at any minutes

 

[Horizontal Hunter]

I’m in the same place. I have been thinking about making the jump from percussion to flintlock. I also want to avoid the cheap mass produced imports and want something with a decent lock, properly heat treated and tuned, to get started with. I want to enjoy the rifle and not be fighting with the lock to get it for fire.

Bob

 

[Rob M.]

Talk to Jackie Brown. I have no idea how he can build a rifle or fowler so inexpensively . Keep checking used guns for sale on here too. Ive seen some real deals on here ! A friend just bought a nice fowler off here for the price I'd have in the parts alone !!

 

[Rob M.]

I’m in the same place. I have been thinking about making the jump from percussion to flintlock. I also want to avoid the cheap mass produced imports and want something with a decent lock, properly heat treated and tuned, to get started with. I want to enjoy the rifle and not be fighting with the lock to get it for fire.

Bob

Talk to Jackie Brown too bud ....

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

You didn't mention caliber. If he doesn't have a preference there are 2 Kibler Southern Mountain with a B grade cherry stock marked down to 780 in .36 and .32 cal on their site now. With the lock that all but makes his budget.

 

[ArmorerRoy]

Buy used. Dixie gun works made a real nice rifle years ago that routinely sell on here for 600.

 

[tenngun]

Loyalist arms can get him in to a smoothbore that will have a well functioning lock for under that price
Used Great Plains rifles in flint are avalible
Traditions can be tack drivers but in flint they can be fustraiting. However six hundred plus twohundred for a replacement lock gets him in under the price

 

[olskool]

do what i have done many times in my life. sell what you have, put your thousand bucks with it and get a real gun. check the listings here. in fact, there is a 40cal on right now for a 1000 with this title,

Custom .40 Flintlock - Maker Beryl Sink​

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[garypl]

I’m in the same place. I have been thinking about making the jump from percussion to flintlock. I also want to avoid the cheap mass produced imports and want something with a decent lock, properly heat treated and tuned, to get started with. I want to enjoy the rifle and not be fighting with the lock to get it for fire.

Bob

I started with a TC Hawken flintlock and constantly fought with it to be able to get more than 3-4 shots off in a row. Bought parts and made a rifle with a Siler lock and have been shooting it since 1980 and it still fires reliably for many shots before I need to knap the flint. Made shooting so much more enjoyable

 

[mikesto44]

There's guns in that range.. We just need to know what he really wants to help your friend.

 

[reddogge]

You didn't mention caliber. If he doesn't have a preference there are 2 Kibler Southern Mountain with a B grade cherry stock marked down to 780 in .36 and .32 cal on their site now. With the lock that all but makes his budget.

Not quite. $780 for the kit, $300 for the lock, $100 to ship. Adds up to $1,180.

 

[flatcreek]

How about an Investarms, I have a Lyman (investarms) trade gun and it works great, The Lyman GPR was a very popular rifle and my understanding is the same rifle is the Inveatarms Gemmer Hawken for around $700 from Muzzleloader .com.