Well, I finally got to handle a KP1, and give it the thrice over. It was a SS/Blk Syn Muzzleloader. The rifle balances very well, is lighter than I though it would be, and fits me well. I like a 14-1/4" LOP, and at 14-1/8" I couldn't tell the difference.
I did have a couple issues with the particular rifle I handled, but were mostly cosmetic in nature. The Kick-EEZ pad was not aligned at the top and bottom properly, but could be fixed by loosening the screws and pushing it into place and re-tightening the screws. A Limbsaver pad would also lengthen the LOP out another 1/8" to 1/4".The receiver had a blemish in the raw part of the investment casting, purely cosmetic. The ramrod is the usual piece of hollow aluminum with brass inserts crimped in, not my favorite. This example also had a spot where the octagonal portion of the barrel slightly rubbed the left side of the receiver, The scope base holes were only tapped 4-5 threads deep (probably plenty), but the holes were deep enough for 8-10 threads. The serial # of this example was 000056X, while another one in the mid 600's is a much cleaner/better example.
Now understand, when I go over a rifle, I scrutinize. I work with tolerances of three ten thousandths of an inch (.0003") everyday. With a mean of .00015", most everything falls into the .0001" to .0002" range, so a few thousandths really stands out to my eye.
Overall, I think the rifle will be a huge success for Knight, and IMO just what they need after a few clumsy years trying to launch less desirable new models.
The KP1 is very easy on the eye, and although it is a first year introduction, I'm betting this will be the bread and butter of their line in a couple years. Are there some improvements to be made? Sure, but that goes with anything that is manufactured. Once the supply catches up with the demand, and these rifles get in the hands of the true product testers (Hunters), I am sure we will see some improvements to this very desirable rifle. I can't wait to get my hands on a SS/Sandstone Laminate model, only available in the muzzleloader configuration at this time. I would also like to get at least one rim-fire and one center-fire barrel for it.
The Encore has dominated this niche in the market up to this point, now there is a new kid in town with a much better price point.
