Author Topic: American Made Muzzleloaders (Read 1945 times)

JonnyReb · « **on:** September 02, 2012, 03:41:23 AM »

Just wondering what traditional muzzleloaders are made in the U.S.? I know TC is, but am i correct that most all the rest are imports? Thanks! J

necchi · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2012, 05:43:35 PM »

Yup, until you get into the custom level.There are allot of Gents still making rifles but not at the commercial level of T/C, Investarms or the spanish made Traditions

bubba.50 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2012, 06:05:37 PM »

and t/c only makes the way over-priced hawken & the plastic stocked firestorm these days.

darkgael · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2012, 11:22:19 PM »

There are way too many sources for American made muzzleloaders to mention.
This flintlock fowler was made by for me by Mike Brooks.....one of many fine craftsmen turning out
quality MLers.

Check www.fowlingguns.com
Check also Tennesee Valley Muzzleloading at http://www.avsia.com/tvm/
Pete

Swampman · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2012, 12:41:55 AM »

Sadly cheap and poorly made foreign imports have pretty much destroyed the American muzzleloader business both modern and traditional. They have always cloned American made rifles and flooded the market with them.

IronBrigade · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2012, 02:12:38 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on September 03, 2012, 12:41:55 AM

Sadly cheap and poorly made foreign imports have pretty much destroyed the American muzzleloader business both modern and traditional. They have always cloned American made rifles and flooded the market with them.

Unfortunate. But true.

JonnyReb · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2012, 02:48:20 AM »

Thanks guys, I didn't realize the state of things. TC only makes 2 models? Wow, things have changed since I last made smoke. Guess i'm going to wait out a nice moderately priced used t/c flinter or summon the courage to begin ordering parts from track of the wolf or sitting fox. I appreciate the info. J

AtlLaw · « **Reply #7 on:** September 03, 2012, 03:33:48 AM »

Quote from: JonnyReb on September 03, 2012, 02:48:20 AM

summon the courage to begin ordering parts from track of the wolf or sitting fox. I appreciate the info. J

That's your best bet pal!

When you finish you'll have exactly what you want and the gratification of having done it yourself!

JonnyReb · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2012, 06:18:46 AM »

Thanks ATL, thats the push I need, but, I dread the thought though of building my own, especially the woodworking and the fact that every "kit" thread I seem to read has the now dreaded "2 years" incorporated in. On the other hand, it would look authentic, like it was crafted with sharp rocks.. Hmm might be better off to pick up a flint gun, see if it holds my interest and then try a kit down the road or better maybe to commission one built. All good stuff to ponder:-)

AtlLaw · « **Reply #9 on:** September 03, 2012, 10:46:27 AM »

Oh it's great fun! Don't dread it at all!

For your first one get a shaped and inlet stock from TotW. As best I remember my first took me approximately 250 hours to complete. But that includes making jigs, special tools, etc. $:-\$ Not to mention the fact I went very slowly and carefully.

Once you do that I'll bet you can never bring yourself to consider buying a mass produced rifle!

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2012, 01:12:18 PM »

Jim Chambers makes awesome kits.

JonnyReb · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2012, 01:17:12 PM »

Hey I believe you ATL :-), I look forward to a day when I know i've got time on my hands for a fine project, but right now i'm gonna say something built will suit me best. I will enjoy refinishing an existing rifleperhaps. Lots less time involved there. Someday maybe i'll build one. Maybe:-)

JonnyReb · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2012, 01:24:45 PM »

Yup Swampman I agree, from all i've read, Jim Chambers is the man. Also if I come across an A&H, I think I read they were made in Utah? J

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2012, 01:50:21 PM »

I believe some of the A&H parts were made in Spain. I guess they were assembled in Utah.

bubba.50 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2012, 03:13:24 PM »

there's about 300 thompson/centers on gunbroker right now. all shapes & sizes and price ranges. everything from well used to new-in-the-box. and there's other sites like auction arms & gunsamerica and i'm sure a lot more.

and if ya look in the want-ads over on the muzzleloadingforum there's some nice home-builts for reasonable prices. and on traditionalmuzzleloadingcheap there's a feller named mike lange(user name mongrel) makes some nice guns for very good prices. but he does use cva barrels on a some of'em to keep prices down.

luck & have a good'en friend, bubba.

JonnyReb · « **Reply #15 on:** September 03, 2012, 04:01:37 PM »

Thanks Bubba, i'm gonna go check that out. Truly I appreciate the tips. Jeff

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2012, 04:49:35 PM »

Quote from: bubba.50 on September 03, 2012, 03:13:24 PM

but he does use cva barrels on a some of'em to keep prices down.

Are those real CVA barrels. or are they from Deer Creek? What I was told, Deer Creek bought all the equipment and materials from Douglas when they quit making BP barrels. What Deer Creek puts out seems to be on a par with Green Mountain barrels per some folks who have used them. I know that I am pickled tink with mine!

-Kees-

bubba.50 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2012, 07:58:45 PM »

he uses whatever new & used barrels he can find at the best prices. each gun will have listed make/condition of barrel & description of parts used. not as fancy as some on muzzleloadingforum but good guns at fair prices.

P.A. Myers · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2012, 11:44:47 AM »

Mongrel [his pic is an incredibly ugly dog] sez his rifles or smoothies are plain. To be more authentic and keep costs down.
http://mikelange.homestead.com/

JonnyReb · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2012, 04:53:33 AM »

Thanks guys for giving more websites to check out. I'm pretty much hooked now on the idea of a flintgun, late 1700's Penn designs seem most attractive. Ruled out building one for this stage of my life but am gonna wait out finding a used custom probably. Truly appreciate all the replies to this thread:-). Jeff

AtlLaw · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2012, 05:03:00 AM »

Quote from: JonnyReb on September 08, 2012, 04:53:33 AM

Ruled out building one for this stage of my life

Chicken!

Is you afraid of "Too many projects?" Hell, I gotta 32 cal. "Golden Age" flinter I been working on foe years now!

Or you spendin to much time lookin for gold!?

JonnyReb · « **Reply #21 on:** September 08, 2012, 06:10:37 AM »

Lol :-). Yup i'm sceered. Looking for some instant gratification too. Plus i'm just not a detail oriented person, others can do it better than me. I have more excuses too if anyone wants them:-). Planning on holding out on the gold hunt till after deer seasons over. Got a good buddy whos just now getting together a venturi system for his sluicebox and pump, we'll be hitting the creek hard in jan. If you see me showing off Daniel Boones personal squirrel gun in march you'll know we found some:-)

Ladobe · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2012, 06:36:19 AM »

Easy answer... pick up a used TC in good condition to get making black now, there are hundreds of them out there - start acquiring parts for your own build when the funds and parts are available.

JonnyReb · « **Reply #23 on:** September 08, 2012, 07:46:53 AM »

Ladobe you've read my mind, I think thats my plan possibly, a T/C. or custom and maybe gather those parts for a future build. I'm scoping out some used TC's now. J