Well, for better or worse, here are a few “Knight Rifles” observations that have puzzled me, even more so with the release of your 2004 catalog. It may well be cause I’m easily puzzled; but review-evoked questions keep coming, so more than a few others are puzzled as well.
I. The Knight Wolverine Non-Promotion
The compliments keep coming in on your Wolverine, often from those who “didn’t expect much” due to the price. It goes like this: “Randy, you mean to tell me the Wolverine is just as accurate as an Extreme? You mean to tell me the Wolverine trigger is adjustable, and will be adjusted by Knight for free if need be? You mean I can have a great trigger, a high quality barrel, a quality synthetic stock, all with Knight’s service and support—for the same price range as imported guns with lesser, non-adjustable triggers, barrels that vary in tolerance all over the place, barrels with no USA based testing?”
A. In a word, yes. There is no gun in the Wolverine’s price range with barrels or trigger in the same class. It is the most proven action in muzzleloading today, the action that built Knight rifles. The vast majority of Wolverine shooters I know are enjoying 1-1/2” or better groups, are astounded by the excellent trigger, and the barrels are just as good as any other Knight Rifle—which is to say, very, very good. It is, in my opinion, the best bargain in muzzleloading today . . . and there is just no excuse to settle for a CVA / Traditions / Wally*World muzzleloader, when you can fly first class with a Wolverine. Not only that, those who have purchased youth model Wolverines of late for their sons, daughters, or girlfriends have been delighted that Knight cares enough to offer them a full size stock free for the trade-in. There’s no other muzzleloader on the market with as many stock options as the Wolverine, that I’m aware of. Why Knight does not mention all of these features loudly and clearly is beyond me—for many, many hunters the Wolverine is all that could be hoped for any North American hunting scenario. It is sadly called a “deep cover specialist” by Knight—hardly reflective of what a versatile value it is. I’d be afraid to tell Ian McMurchy of this “deep cover” specialty, as last I heard from Ian he had just dropped a nice Texas boar past 300 yards—with an “American Knight.”
II. Knight Disc Elite Non-Promotion
“Randy, what gives? Are you the only guy raving about the Knight Disc Elite? What of the 2-1/2” Accuracy guarantee—it makes a me think that is all the Knight Rifles CAN do?”
A. Maybe! Out of 40 + inlines I’ve tested, the Knight Elite is the most accurate in-line muzzleloader I’ve ever shot, period. I used to think it was a fluke—but, no less than 20 or so readers have written called, or e-mailed to say “thanks” for the tip on the Knight Elite. Sub 3 / 4 MOA groups are the norm, not the exception. If it were up to me, I’d call it “The World’s Most Accurate Muzzleloader.” But, nobody asked me! I believe the forked recoil lug is the secret, and why that is not standard on all Knight bolt guns is beyond me. As for as the muted promotion of the Elite, I can answer that. Most any one I know that wants to hit what they are shooting at hunts with a scope, and even in the comparatively few States where no magnification scopes are allowed, you can still use 1X scopes such as Sightron or Burris—and enjoy a single sighting plane.
III. Knight Bolt Guns are Hard To Clean, Aren’t They?
A. Well, if you read Knight’s ad-copy on their upcoming Revolution, you might think that. With the new quick release bolt on the Knight Extreme / Elite, Knight Bolt Rifles are FASTER to clean than an Encore or Contender, and within seconds of an Omega. The bolt is removed in a second, normally a squirt of Gunscrubber followed by Breakfree CLP and you are done—no tools required. As for the barrel, remove the breechplug and shove the muzzle in a pail of water. A couple of minutes later, the barrel is clean—a few drops of light oil and that’s that. Clean the breechplug, relube with Anti-Seize, it’s done. How tough is that? Oh yes, if you want to give the rest of the gun a light cleaning / coating with Breakfree CLP, you have to remove exactly ONE stock screw. An Encore or Contender? Two forearm screws, an extractor screw, and then knock out the hinge pin. That does not cover the action, which is a lot more work. The Knight bolt action guns are among the easiest to maintain muzzleloaders ever made—Knight is just afraid to tell people about it, I guess. Or, they haven’t bothered to try to clean the competition? The only gun people might think is easier to clean is the Omega. Well, if you don’t like your Omega trigger—good luck. If you don’t like the hollow Omega synthetic stock, I’m sorry. The Omega is a fine muzzleloader, and there are many solid choices out there—but, if cleaning is thought to be a real issue, it just is not. Most people could clean a Knight Elite / Extreme in the time it takes to complain about it! It is a pity it is not made clear how easy Knight Bolt Actions really are to clean, the way I look at it.
IV. I Read the 2004 Knight Catalog, It Makes No Sense!
A. I think your vision is perfect. I read it, too, and it has me completely baffled as well. I’m baffled by the Revolution’s claim of “Quick Detachable Action,” which features easy disassembly without tools. No tools are needed for the Knight Elite / Extreme, so where’s the news?
On page 7, I read where “Thinner Sabot Petals Enhance Accuracy.” Yes, that sure runs counter to Knight winning the NMLRA Manufacturer's Championship with THICK, 40 / 50 sabots, and Knight’s discontinuation of their orange .458 / 50 sabots, doesn’t it? Also mentioned is that thinner petals reduce gas leakage on the same page, when everybody knows petals don’t seal gas with their 8 gaps—the sabot base does. No wonder people are confused.
The confusion continues on page 23, where the “Power Stem” is claimed to increase velocity AND reduce recoil. It would take the invention of a brand new branch of physics for that to happen.
So, it is a shame, if only to me, when I see two fabulous products relegated to pages 8 and 14 of a new catalog, two rifles that are “Best of Breed” – and have thoroughly pleased every owner I’ve talked to beyond their expectations.
I am, as mentioned, easily confused. Always have been!
