Semi/Custom/In The White Guns

[FishDFly]

In the last couple of weeks there has been nice discussions on semi-custom guns, custom guns and what has not been discussed is in the white guns.

roundball has raised questions that I have been wondering about personally and just have not asked, thanks roundball for asking.

There are those who question if someone is a custom gun maker and I don't really don't care to start a discussion whether someone is or is not.

My thoughts are:

1. There have been some really nice comments on
TVM and the work they do.
2. I have seen the in the white rifles that Tip
Curtis offers.

Okay, now the questions:

1. A rifle from TVM is in the area of $850 to
$1000 finished.
2. A rifle from Tip Curtis is $1000 or so in the
white.

From Tip Curtis you finish the barrel and stock as you wish. Besides the satisfaction on doing so, the completed work, what do you gain from getting a Tip Curtis in the white gun? Are his parts, (lock, stock and barrel) substantially better than TVM.

There are several reasons that I ask:

1. I want a flint lock.
2. Flintlock would be used for paper matches,
thus it needs to be accurate.
3. I only want to spend money on quality and
only on one more rifle.
4. I can make a road trip to TVM to pick what I
wish.
5. I am going to Phoenix and Tip will be there I
assume again.

Thoughts comparing TVM against Tip Curtis in the
white.

roundball talked about his age and considering costs of what he has (in the safe) and what he wants, I am doing the same.

I need a flintlock for paper matches, I am wondering what is preferable, a TVM, a Tip Curtis or a T/C Flintlock 15/16s in a 45 GM barrel, if I can find one.

The gun will most likely be the last one that I purchase, so I want to do things right.

Thanks

RDE

 

[howdydoit]

Im in the same boat as you, but im looking for a specific period rifle of smoothy.

I want to make my 1st gun purchase the best possible decision within my price range.

 

[greyghost]

RDE, does Tip Curtis have a website?

 

[tg]

I can't see how there could be much difference in the parts of an in the white gun from either vendor, you can pretty much ask and compare the brand of lock and barel and grade of stock sand cast or wax cast furniture, and what exactly is required to finish the "in the white" guns from each. I would personaly go with TVM just from the overall feed back I have heard about both over the years.

 

[Finnwolf]

Tip does not have a website

 

[Packdog]

I think in comparing the two it's going to come down to answering the question of how fast do you want it? A "in the white" gun is ready to go. How long is the wait for a TVM gun? or do they have "In the white" gun on the shelf ready to go too?
I hear good things about guns from both.

 

[Dave K]

What triggers, barrel and lock does each use would be a good question. Of course, if one has fancier wood, you can expect to pay more for it. I can see the wood, get a quality swamped barrel and GOOD lock.I have had what I call inferior locks. Once you have had one, all the sending backs, warranty work that means you just spent more on sending it, doing without the gun because it won't fire or the parts are on the road, tinkering and cussing, it can ruin the whole experience. But, you get a good lock from a good company and it is such a joy. I am not sure how much it means to you in $. But, if you ever had bad locks, a gun with good locks is worth so much more because it shoots, while the other one just frustrates.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Tip is off to the Shot Show, and won't be back for a week. Contact him a 615-654-4445. His shop is located at Cross Plains, TN at 4445 Jerrigan Rd.

Tip does get Email, at: [email protected]

 

[jsams]

when i see tvm does this mean tennessee valley mfg. or is it tennessee valley muzzleloading? there is a web sight for both and i believe one worked for the other and went out on his own. i ordered a kit from a company not named in this and found out that some of the parts and the stock came from tv mfg. the stock had two cracks that had been glued and parts are just o k. i then ordered a kit from pecatonica river long rifle supply co. and the parts from pecatonica are great. the lock was polished large siler jim chambers, davis triggers and german silver trim. both kits cost the same or within $10.00 of each other. i can't comment on tv muzzleloading because i haven't bought from them. pecatonica has a web site and the owner Dick Greensides will be easy to work with. a gun builder in my state told me about him and i met him at friendship this past year. hope this helps anyone thinking of ordering a kit. this is just my opinion.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The TVM you want to talk to is run by Tony Avant- Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading.
www.avsia.com/tvm/


They worked for a guy who had a prior company, that went bankrupt. They formed the new company. The Guy who went bankrupt then formed a new company to compete with them using the same initials- TVM- for Tennessee Valley Manufacturing.

I have been to Dick Greenside's shop on a couple of occasions west of Rockford, and he is always interesting to meet. He has a collection of Goex and earlier powder cans, BTW in the shop that is an interesting education in itself.

He has many pre-carved stocks in different styles and lengths in his showroom. He has a crew of men working in the back shop preparing "kits" and stocks on order by his customers. He is regularly at Friendship, with a booth in the first row of sheds on Commercial Row. He is great to work with, and still wants his customers to be happy. So, he goes the extra mile, making his money on the increased volume of business, and repeat customers. He stands by the products he sells. That alone makes it worth while dealing with him.

 

[squirejohn]

You could also go with one of Chambers guns and have it shipped to one of his recommended builders to assemble "in the white". That's what I did and couldn't ask for better results. Also I don't think you'll find better components than found in a Chambers flintlock.

 

[texcl]

You can request any barrel, lock and trigger with TVM, so if you want good quality parts you got em.

 

[oldarmy]

It's all a matter of what parts you can afford.
A TVM lock..Large siler, assembled by Mr. Garner will cost $95 dollars according to his latest catalog. A Chambers assembled lock from TOW is running about $125.
I have used both, the Chambers is much more polished and refined, very reliable.
The Jack Garner lock is less polished and refined, but it works every time, just like the Chambers.
Barrels are the same. Straight barrels are less expensive then swamped. But I think they are too heavy and there isn't any taper at the breach..no flare out for the wrist. :cursing:
The difference in swamped barrels. IE A swamped Rice, swamped colerain or GM can be substantial.
If you want an "in the white" rifle for target shooting.
I would go with the best swamped barrel you can afford.
Ask your self--"how many times am I going to shoot this in a year"??
If it's going to be a few times in the summer, or or a little more. The JG lock is fine. If it's going to be every weekend and more. Go with the JC lock.
Depending on the style. I would insist on a patch box. IMHO a traditional style flintlock should have a patch box..90% of them did.
They cost extra, but add so much to the look of the weapon.
Steel furniture is generally less expensive then Brass. Don't know why. But furniture isn't the main expense, like the barrel and lock.
Go with a lesser grade of wood if you have to sacrifice something.
Maple is a beautiful wood,, even plain.
Plus it's probably straight grained and strong as the dickens.
Something more to think about

 

[Frank/Pa]

You could also go with one of Chambers guns and have it shipped to one of his recommended builders to assemble "in the white". That's what I did and couldn't ask for better results. Also I don't think you'll find better components than found in a Chambers flintlock.

If you don't mind my asking, how much did it cost to have a Chamber's gun assembled in the white and how long did it take? Thanks

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Good Morning Richard,

For a "Rock Lock" target rifle, the two major components to consider are a quality barrel and the fastest lock you can find.

After that, all else is just your personal preferences.

The gentlemen that you and I have been shooting with have a decidely strong preference for a Jim Chambers Siler lock. They are very, very fast. You should give Frank C. a telephone call and discuss flint lock rifles with him. He has the fastest flint locks that I have ever on which I have ever pulled a trigger.

Green Mountain make a quality barrel at an extremely good price. A more expensive custon barrel would add more value to your rifle, but might not be any more accurate. My GM barreled rifles shoot just as good as my custom barrel rifle.

My only other suggestion is that you put together a rifle that is correct for a paticular period and place. This will give added value to your rifle, and it will better hold its value through the years.

Best regards and good shooting,

John L. Hinnant

If you are not an NRA or NMRLA Member, why not? I am carrying your load.

Liberal/Socialist Politicians LIE!!! USA FREEDOMS DIE.

 

[FishDFly]

John,

I will send you note.

N. has her rifle now, just came back from a road trip to buy her spotting scope and tripod. She is ready for Brady.

Thanks and nice to see you back.

RDE

 

[squirejohn]

Frank/PA - I'm sending you a private message.

 

[Tommy Bruce]

the TVM guns quoted at that price usually have straight barrels. The guns finished in the white by Tip have swamped barrels which are about 100.00 more than straight barrels plus more time consuming to put in. Tip sometimes has a patch box on his guns as well. A Chambers kit will run in the neighborhood of 900.00 including shipping. I've seen advertisements to put them together for 500.00. If you are patient sometimes you can find a good deal on a finished gun for under 1000.00 bucks depending upon what you want. Since this is going to be a one time deal I'd spend the money on exactly what I wanted so I was happy with my purchase. All of these folks that you are talking about buying from are good people and sell a quality product.