newbie question, please help, confused

[mhurley]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading here awhile and think alot of you are very knowledgable in black powder guns, so I would like to pick your brains,

so thanx in advance.

I am looking to buy an inline soon and was looking at the cva optima pro.

I have also heard that they had problems with the barrel failing and  uneven quality on the gun itself.

Is this true?  have these concerns been fixed? am I better off staying away from cva, traditions, bp all together?

Again thanks for your input, I appreciate the help.

Mike

[slayer]

I beleive all of the CVA issues were taken care of and they are fine if you buy a new one. I prefer the Traditions Pursuit LT and the NEF Sidekick over the Optima. Jack.

[mhurley]

thanks for your help.

mike

[poncaguy]

Pursuit LT or Omega.........50 cal.

[NEW222]

Just read on the Modern Muzzleloader Index that another CVA has recently blown up.  I also suggest the Omega.

[daddywpb]

Every time I see this subject come up, I have to put in my two cents. I bought three CVA inline rifles for myself, my wife and my daughter. We took them all to the range and had problems with all three. Poor ignition, light strikes and very heavy, creepy triggers. All three were returned to the store the next day. If I had been a new black powder shooter, that experience would probably have been enough to make me give it up. That was two years ago. I settled on a T/C Omega and I will never have to buy another ML. Ignition is 100%. I have carried it in the field all day in heavy rain and never had any kind of failure. I also have a T/C Hawken that I bought in 1975 that still works as good as ever. Personally, I'm partial to T/C because I've had such good luck with them, but I also have a Knight TK2000 shotgun that has neve failed to do it's job. In my opinion, I would stay far away from anything with the CVA name on it. I have heard that their quality has improved, but I'll never put my money down on another one to find out. I can't speak about Traditions - never fired one. Muzzle loading is a great sport, a great way to extend your hunting season, and just plain fun. Do yourself a favor and start out with a good rifle.
For what it's worth. :grin:

[Cmarti]

Every time I see this subject come up, I have to put in my two cents. I bought three CVA inline rifles for myself, my wife and my daughter. We took them all to the range and had problems with all three. Poor ignition, light strikes and very heavy, creepy triggers. All three were returned to the store the next day. If I had been a new black powder shooter, that experience would probably have been enough to make me give it up. That was two years ago. I settled on a T/C Omega and I will never have to buy another ML. Ignition is 100%. I have carried it in the field all day in heavy rain and never had any kind of failure. I also have a T/C Hawken that I bought in 1975 that still works as good as ever. Personally, I'm partial to T/C because I've had such good luck with them, but I also have a Knight TK2000 shotgun that has neve failed to do it's job. In my opinion, I would stay far away from anything with the CVA name on it. I have heard that their quality has improved, but I'll never put my money down on another one to find out. I can't speak about Traditions - never fired one. Muzzle loading is a great sport, a great way to extend your hunting season, and just plain fun. Do yourself a favor and start out with a good rifle.
For what it's worth. :grin:

I don't disagree with you that T/C makes a better rifle, but I wonder when you last tried a CVA.  I own two T/C's and a Remington, but my son bought an inexpensive CVA Hunter mag 4 or 5 years ago.  It is not as pretty, but it never misfired and drove tacks.  He has since bought an Optima Pro and it shoots flawlessly.  I can't say that my encore performs better than either of his CVA's. I can't out shoot him.  He gives me grief because my Encore is a pain to load.

My point is that if somone just wants to dabble in the sport, is on a limited income (college kid like my son), and does not plan to shoot hundreds of rounds a year, I think the CVA is a servicable rifle.  Many guys on here are real officianados, but most people aren't going to make those demands of their rifles.   JMO

[daddywpb]

The CVA rifles I had were bought a couple years ago. I didn't say that CVA rifles weren't serviceable, I just said I wasn't happy with the three I bought. I experienced the same malfunctions with all three. I was at the local range about three weeks ago, and the guy next to me had a CVA inline, don't know which model. He was popping caps left and right without the gun going off. When I asked about it, he said "Well, that's muzzleloading". I don't think so. If you've got a CVA and you like the way it shoots, good for you. They aren't for me.

[elkstalkr]

CVA rifles are still dangerous and continue to blow up.  I would suggest nobody buys one.  Read this link:

http://modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1473

or go here for more info:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/no_standards.htm

I personally WILL NOT risk dismemberment any longer.  I was only educated of this shortly and am selling my CVA.  I WILL buy brands that properly test thier guns, so I KNOW that my family and myself are 100% without a doubt safe.