Suggestions for a new person

[KHarris01]

Hello all.
I was hoping I could get some help on choosing a black powder cannon. I was looking at this : http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_106_665&products_id=1678
Does the kit at that link seem of poor quality?
Now, the person I want to get this for has experience with firearms, but has never had a cannon before. I was just looking for something small, fun, loud, and that shoots an actual ball. However, I do not know anything about the quality of these kinds of things.
What should I look for? Brass vs nickel? Would a kit be recommended for somebody new to this?
Any feedback or suggestions would be great. It's been hard to find a good website that sells cannons.
Also, any guidance to a place that is reputable would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[GGaskill]

Although the reviews are at least a couple of years old, did you read any of them?  How patient is the intended recipient that he would enjoy making the kit versus having a completed piece to start with?

I don't know how much you or the recipient are concerned about historical accuracy but it looks like that barrel is a M1841 6 pounder field piece barrel which should be mounted on a field carriage instead of the naval/garrison carriage that comes with it.  A lot of us who have made their own barrels have regretted not doing the whole piece correctly as we have advanced in the pursuit of this hobby.

The price seems pretty good but you would be getting something less than 100% fidelity.  Read the reviews.

[dan610324]

first of all , welcome here

I would recomend you to check with our sponsors first
they got super quality for very good money

you find them in the stickies

[Cat Whisperer]

KHarris01

WELCOME tot he board!

Good questions.  George raised some concerns, you will get more.  We tend to (politely) examine the issues here and bring out most all the perspectives.  You will find that our sponsors both have stood the test of years of peer review and participate in both shooting and discussions here on the board.

[SLT kota]

As someone who is newer myself I would also suggest going with someone who sponsors the board. I only have two black power cannons, the first one I purchased for cheap off ebay from someone making them themselves, the second I purchased from armorer77 a board sponsor.

After my experence with armorer77 I don't think I will ever buy a new cannon again unless it comes from a board sponsor (and I will have a hard time not going back to him after the service/product he gave me). My mortar from armorer77 will more than likely be proudly displayed on my desk as it is beautiful, it is a true replica/tribute to the past. The other one doesn't look like full size real cannon, sits in the corner of my garage, and needs to have a new carriage built as the last time it was fired the carriage self destructed due to poor quality, design, and construction.

The first one I got does go boom and the barrel is strong, but that is all it has going for it... I won't ever fire it again until I have redesigned/rebuilt a carriage for it as I don't feel safe firing it knowing that it will fall apart. I have all the confidence in the world with my mortar and I have no doubt that I would feel the same way with any cannon purchased from any of the sponsors.

I hope I don't sound too much like a leg humper but I thought that you might like to know the experence of someone who was brand new not to long ago and had both good and bad experences.
Stuart

[BoomLover]

Well stated, Stuart....

[KHarris01]

Hi there.
I did read the reviews. Again, I am a bit new to this whole thing, so I would not know much about the historical accuracy part. Really, what I am looking for is a piece priced around $200 that would work for somebody who is new to the cannon thing. Does that clarify any better?

Although the reviews are at least a couple of years old, did you read any of them?  How patient is the intended recipient that he would enjoy making the kit versus having a completed piece to start with?

I don't know how much you or the recipient are concerned about historical accuracy but it looks like that barrel is a M1841 6 pounder field piece barrel which should be mounted on a field carriage instead of the naval/garrison carriage that comes with it.  A lot of us who have made their own barrels have regretted not doing the whole piece correctly as we have advanced in the pursuit of this hobby.

The price seems pretty good but you would be getting something less than 100% fidelity.  Read the reviews.

[KHarris01]

Thank you! I appreciate it ^_^

first of all , welcome here

I would recomend you to check with our sponsors first
they got super quality for very good money

you find them in the stickies

[KHarris01]

Haha, love how you said leg humper. No,I really appreciate the feedback. Gonna help me a lot in making a decision.
How do I look at armorer77?

As someone who is newer myself I would also suggest going with someone who sponsors the board. I only have two black power cannons, the first one I purchased for cheap off ebay from someone making them themselves, the second I purchased from armorer77 a board sponsor.

After my experence with armorer77 I don't think I will ever buy a new cannon again unless it comes from a board sponsor (and I will have a hard time not going back to him after the service/product he gave me). My mortar from armorer77 will more than likely be proudly displayed on my desk as it is beautiful, it is a true replica/tribute to the past. The other one doesn't look like full size real cannon, sits in the corner of my garage, and needs to have a new carriage built as the last time it was fired the carriage self destructed due to poor quality, design, and construction.

The first one I got does go boom and the barrel is strong, but that is all it has going for it... I won't ever fire it again until I have redesigned/rebuilt a carriage for it as I don't feel safe firing it knowing that it will fall apart. I have all the confidence in the world with my mortar and I have no doubt that I would feel the same way with any cannon purchased from any of the sponsors.

I hope I don't sound too much like a leg humper but I thought that you might like to know the experence of someone who was brand new not to long ago and had both good and bad experences.
Stuart