ibebirdman That same question was posted over on Modern Muzzle loaders... do not know if you can see it without signing up so here is the wed address..
http://modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5982Here is a copy of an answer.... from "Fairchase"
huntersmurf,
I would strongly consider waiting for Idaho to print its new regulations before buying.
The exact words of their new rules may make you reconsider buying a brand of this design for use in Idaho’s traditional seasons.
As far as the two rifle makers are concerned.
Russ Markesbery is a crook who will not warrantee his rifles, no matter what he says. If you ever have a problem with his products, he will simply stop answering his phone. I have had two of his rifles and both arrived with broken stocks. He replaced one after months of begging. He has completely ignored me on the other. It has never been fixed or replaced...My $600.00 loss. Call Sportsman's Warehouse in Boise and if you like and ask them. Markesbery stopped answering the phone for them too...Needless to say, his rifles have since been dropped from Sportsman's inventory.
On the other hand, Gordon Kahnke seems to be a businessman who will do what he claims as far as trying to make things right if there is a problem with one of his rifle, including giving you a full refund. The issues here were, when his rifle arrived and I started to clean it, there were many, major problems. In fact it appeared the rifle was made in a garage with hand tools and a vice. The rifle he sent me was a K2000 and it had both sights drilled off center and shimmed with playing card pieces, mistake holes were drilled in the barrel and when he realized his error, he simply rotated the barrel 180 degrees and hid them under the stock. Also his barrels’ locking lug was not brazed on, it was bolted on and the screws were completely stripped. He was relying on locktite to make sure it stayed in place. The hammer face had been cut with a torch or welder and was nearly missing the nipple it was so misaligned. I could go on but, I think you get the idea it was a mess, and what blew my mind he knew about these mistakes when he shipped the rifle to me, Because when I called him he said "you don't miss much do you"
However, in his defense, he said he was very sorry, he claimed he was still making his assembly tools and jigs in his shop and he would make me an entirely new rifle or refund my entire purchase. Needless to say, I received a full refund within one week. I am sorry I don’t have better info to pass along about these companies and I don’t enjoy giving bad reports, but in this case I feel these reports are 100% justified. Good luck.
