Good evening, folks. After a much anticipated wait, my Kibler .58 Colonial showed up this afternoon. I wanted to take time to document the process of how long it takes to actually put a kit together. Some days I have a few hours, some I have 30 minutes. I see a lot of questions on these kits with assembly requirements, so I thought I’d help!
A couple of things to clear up (because I know they'll get asked)
1. I have no experience at gun building, but am familiar with the inner workings of muzzleloader parts and why they work. I do have some tool experience as well.
2. This is extra fancy maple. I am unsure of whether I’ll have carving done at this time, but am aqua fortis stain will look phenomenal on this gun, regardless.
3. I watched all of Kibler’s videos on YouTube 2-3 times ahead of time. I actually had my phone playing during the process as well. Watching ahead of time certainly helped, but I felt like I needed to check up just to make sure I wasn’t screwing anything up. I had also read a book on building flintlocks a month ago to get a better idea on what I was diving into (this isn’t the only gun I’ll be making this year)
Day 1: 3 hours
Fitted & installed the barrel and tang to stock (little wood fitting)
Fitted & attached butt plate to the stock
Filed butt plate edges around patch box
Fitted patch box, & installed catch spring to patch box and installed patch box to stock
Installed lock, side plate and trigger.
Cycled the lock and trigger to make sure everything functions smooth
A couple of things to clear up (because I know they'll get asked)
1. I have no experience at gun building, but am familiar with the inner workings of muzzleloader parts and why they work. I do have some tool experience as well.
2. This is extra fancy maple. I am unsure of whether I’ll have carving done at this time, but am aqua fortis stain will look phenomenal on this gun, regardless.
3. I watched all of Kibler’s videos on YouTube 2-3 times ahead of time. I actually had my phone playing during the process as well. Watching ahead of time certainly helped, but I felt like I needed to check up just to make sure I wasn’t screwing anything up. I had also read a book on building flintlocks a month ago to get a better idea on what I was diving into (this isn’t the only gun I’ll be making this year)
Day 1: 3 hours
Fitted & installed the barrel and tang to stock (little wood fitting)
Fitted & attached butt plate to the stock
Filed butt plate edges around patch box
Fitted patch box, & installed catch spring to patch box and installed patch box to stock
Installed lock, side plate and trigger.
Cycled the lock and trigger to make sure everything functions smooth
![8DCA7E35-95E1-4603-9A87-CC9D4677FE78.jpeg 8DCA7E35-95E1-4603-9A87-CC9D4677FE78.jpeg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/muzzleloadingforum/data/attach/95/95033-8DCA7E35-95E1-4603-9A87-CC9D4677FE78.jpeg)
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![92A50FBE-0739-469C-A0EB-BF3C6458CC9A.jpeg 92A50FBE-0739-469C-A0EB-BF3C6458CC9A.jpeg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/muzzleloadingforum/data/attach/95/95040-92A50FBE-0739-469C-A0EB-BF3C6458CC9A.jpeg)