Opinions on Trac of the Wolf Kits

[jerko]

I'm interested in building my first kit gun. I have been doing allot of research and am leaning to a track of the wolf kit (Isaac  Haines or John Bivins in .54). Any one have any experience with these kits with regard to quality? Also how do they compare to the TVM or J. Chambers Kits? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Secondly what is the advantage of a double set trigger over a conventional single?

Thanks

[crow_feather]

Jerko,
Welcome to GBO and our cadre of knowledgable traditional shooters.  I have bought one kit from TOTW many years ago.  Since then I have e-mailed them with a question or two and I have found them to be friendly, helpful, and the type of people that I like doing business with.  My kit was a double rifle in 52 caliber and I was happy with it.  I bought it because I wanted a quick second shot - then found out that I shoot just a bad with two shots as with one.  I wish you the best of luck with what ever kit you get, and hope you enjoy the time you spend here.

ps  the most common double trigger fires either set or unset.  The rear trigger "sets" the front trigger to fire with just a very light trigger pull.  If you don't "set" the front trigger (pull the rear trigger first - hard), then it takes a lot stronger trigger pull to fire the weapon.  Target shooting requires the set trigger, hunting is usually better with the unset trigger.

C F

[wallynut]

TOTW is okay, good to deal with to a point.  The Issac Haines/ Bivins kit is alright, no unseen problems that I've ever had.  Thier French Fusil kits are a different story, stock problems on two that I built.  Jim Chambers kits are top notch.  For a little more money, the Chamber's kit is what I would go for.  Little bit of a hassle sometimes to get barrel delivered at the same time as the stock, but worth it.  Get Chambers white lightn' touch hole liner w/tap and drill bit, very fast ignition.  TVM's are supposed to be okay, never used one of thiers.  Dunlop puts out a good kit, he supplies stocks for a lot of the dealers, very good quality grain-wise.  Built straight barreled kits from Pecatonica, but haven't used any with taper/flared barrels.

Double set triggers are okay, especially for target work, but I perfer single triggers.  Doubles can be hard to get in correct position to use for both set and unset.  Single triggers can be positioned for great pull wgt.  There's lots of good books out there for reference on building, if you don't have any, get at least one to help ya.

[HWooldridge]

I built a TOTW "Poor Boy" Mountain Rifle in 45 and everything went together fine but they do leave a lot of wood to remove and for the most part, the metal parts must all be polished.  I have machine tools so purchased no extra shop work but depending on your skill, it might be worth considering having the dovetails and other hard stuff done for you.  I will say that their plain maple stock had quite a bit of figure and the stain I chose really made it light up.  I did not like their nosecap or buttplate and made my own parts from sheet iron.  On the next kit, I will have these items deducted from the price.  The Green Mountain barrel shoots extremely well and I am very satisfied with the final product.