Author Topic: Looking for a good kit gun (Read 1209 times)

toecutter · « **on:** September 05, 2004, 02:10:34 PM »

I'm looking to build a kit gun and I was just wondering If I could get a few opinions on who would be the best as far as wood, barrel and lock quality. I will check out deer creek (thanks Longcruise...nice work!!). I do plan on making my own stock out of some yet to be determined exotic, but not right away. Anyway, lifes too short for plain wood. I appreciate any advice you can provide, thanks

filmokentucky · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2004, 02:39:05 PM »

Toecutter-you don't give a price range, but if you are somewhat flexible
money-wise, you have some options. Track of the Wolf and Jim Chambers offer premium quality parts groups. Another option is Pecatonia River Long Rifle Supply Company. Matt Avance at Tennessee Valley offers some good choices, too. Hope this helps to get you started.
All have websites-just typing their names into your browser window should get you there. One thought-a little extra spent at the outset will pay dividends even years later.

toecutter · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2004, 05:20:32 PM »

At the outset I was trying to keep my initial purchase around the 300-350 range, but for the ideal design with appropriate quality I would pay more. I don't hardly ever part with my guns, especially ones that I've had a good hand in building or modifying for my use, so I'm not too hard to convince that spending the extra bit is worth it (as you can tell i'm not married). :eek:

Pogue · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2004, 09:05:06 AM »

Cabela's has several kits in Hawken and Pennsylvania style. I'd recommend either their Hawken or Great Plains, as they are wedged instead of pinned.

fffffg · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2004, 05:39:23 PM »

when your ready the jim chambers guns are the end of the rainbow, http://www.flintlocks.com/rifles02.htm i have a 16 gauge smoothbore from him and it shoots ball and shot for ducks pheasant etc.. the flintlock will generally get 25-35 rounds without very much problems.. the ignition will slow down with continued use but in hunting situatiion for first shots is very quick and in my book more trustworthy than a mill run percussion.. good luck dave...

toecutter · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2004, 04:03:35 AM »

Thanks for all the help gentlemen, I do appreciate it. Alas, I was unable to keep my hard earned money from flying from my pocket and landing in my friendly neighborhood bow shop owners hands. The up-side of this all is that I got a sweet new bow with all the trimmings, the down side is it's gonna be another month or two before I can buy a new muzzleloader. :cry:

swecology · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2004, 05:47:50 AM »

Toecutter,

When your'e funds and time permits, check out Midsouth Shooter's Supply. They sell the Lyman Great Plains kit for around $250.00 or below.

I received one for Christmas last year, and have been very pleased with the results now that it is assembled and finished. It shoots great, and I get many compliments on it's looks.

Track of the Wolf can provide any supplies for the job that Midsouth doesn't, except a Dremel. The job goes a lot smoother when you have one.

Matt

toecutter · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2004, 09:47:12 AM »

Thanks swecology, I've only heard good things about those kits and at 250.00 I could probably swing one a little sooner than I had planned. ( It will be my first kit, so I can always spend more on another one later) :grin:
I am still bleeding copious amounts of money at the bow shop, I have a curious disease whereby if I don't buy everything in one day, I somehow don't feel like I've spent as much. Something like this: buy the bow and a few accessories one day then waste gas and drive back the next day for more accessories and then waste gas and time to drive back and get more accessories the next day. Soon I'll just have my mail forwarded there and set up a cot in the back. Unfortunately knowing the symptoms doesn't cure the disease.
Save yourselves, I'm too far gone!!

clodbuster · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2004, 02:21:39 PM »

toecutter I was after the same thing last year so looked into the Hopkins and Allen underhammer and love the outcome. Its a .36 with 32 " barrel.
this is an accurate, surefire rifle that is a blast to shoot. This design is great with just 7 moving parts and it lends itself to custom wood like a duck to water. Old eyes mean a peep sight was a must so with none available, I built a simple one to fit the rear sight dovetail and cover leaf groups come u-p with regularity at 25 to 50 yards. Can you tell I love it?

longshotmiller1 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2004, 02:54:15 PM »

toecutter i know you wanted the number for deer creek products so here it is 765-525-6181 wish it wasnt long distance but you cant win them all. any way good luck to ya

toecutter · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2004, 07:55:36 PM »

Thanks longshot, I am definitely interested in seeing what they have to offer.

toecutter · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2004, 08:05:32 PM »

Thanks for the input clodbuster. I guess I should have mentioned it before but I'm leaning towards either .45 or .50 Cal and all the info I got on the underhammer seemed to be either .32?(not too sure) or .36. But since you seemed to like the quality of the parts so much, would you recomend who you got it from? I guess I can always add another gun to the "must have" list!!! It does seem like a really cool design.

toecutter · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2004, 08:15:22 PM »

Well it seems I've put my foot in my mouth again, no sooner did I enter that last post, when wouldn't you know it, I find the underhammer in either .45 or .50 cal. Goes to show, even a blind squirrel gets a nut sometimes.

Birddog6 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2004, 05:29:58 AM »

Toecutter: Keep in mind there are two kinds of kits.

The Lyman, T/C, Cabalas, Pedersoli, etc. kit is an Assembly Kit, where you sand, blue/brown & assemble it. Everything is preinletted & fitted & you will have very little fitting to do. (These are the $200 to $500 range)

The Tracks, Tip Curtis Frontier Shop, Pecatonica, Chambers Flintlocks, Dunlaps Woodcrafts etc. kits are Builders kits. They have all the parts to build a rifle but with much work involved to get the parts to the point of assembly. Dif. kits take different amounts of skill. (Most of these parts kits start at $500 & go to about $800. depending on style & wood grade)

If you have never bult one, I would start with a Lyman GPR kit. Then go to a 90% inletted kit next time (if the first one went well) then on from there.

Good luck

Birddog6

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2004, 06:44:27 AM »

Talk to Deer Creek Products. They manufacture the underhammers and Mowreys which everyone asks about. They also make their Deer Creek Rifle which is a dead ringer for the old CVA Mountain Rifle and their Northwest Rifle which is the same except for steel furniture.The underhammers are available in .36, .45 and .50 calibers, the Mowrey in .32 through .54 (including a .40), and the Deer Creek in .45, .50 and .54. Very reasonable prices.They have other guns available also, of course.

Their phone number is 765-525-6181, their address is P.O. Box 246, Waldron, IN 46182. If you call this week they are at Friendship, but their recording will give you a number to call to get hold of them.

If you are thinking about a .45 or .50, I would suggest the .45. It is small enough for bunnies and squirrels (my underhammer has numerous to its credit) but still has enough oomph with round ball to put down deer. A friend wrote me that he got a whitetail a while back with his .45 with a chest shot, and found the ball under the skin of the rear quarter. If you need more you can always use a conical like Lee's R.E.A.L. Bullet.

-WH-