Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: RobD on January 27, 2023, 11:54:59 AM

Title: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on January 27, 2023, 11:54:59 AM
Just arrived ...

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Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Winter Hawk on January 27, 2023, 12:48:43 PM
NICE!  It looks like the barrel is already blued?  Have fun putting that together.  :hairy

~Kees~
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on January 27, 2023, 01:34:57 PM
NICE!  It looks like the barrel is already blued?  Have fun putting that together.  :hairy

~Kees~

No, not blued - if it was I wouldn't have bought it.  I like to leave bbls in-the-white as was mostly done back in the day, to patina on their own.

It'll be an interesting build and will compare that to the Colonial .54 build I did a few years ago.  I ordered extra fancy tiger maple, too, just like with the Colonial.  It will get aqua fortis (iron nitrate) stained and Tru-Oil clear coated.  I'll add pics and comments to this thread as the build progresses.  First step is to build it in-the-white for fit, then taken apart and finish it.
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: rollingb on January 27, 2023, 01:52:27 PM
 :applaud  :hairy
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: No Powder on January 27, 2023, 02:25:38 PM
Hey Winter Hawk that blued barrel was the first thing I noticed in that box.
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Butler Ford 40 on January 27, 2023, 04:12:43 PM
As always, looking forward to your build progress!   :yessir:
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Winter Hawk on January 28, 2023, 02:59:54 PM
Hey Winter Hawk that blued barrel was the first thing I noticed in that box.
I'm glad I wasn't just seeing things!  Must be the lighting somehow makes it look blued.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Rob does with it.

~Kees~
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Bearhntr on February 11, 2023, 12:08:41 PM
Waiting....  somewhat patiently???
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: BEAVERMAN on February 11, 2023, 04:54:00 PM
INSERT FINAL JEOPARDY MUSIC HERE! :laffing
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on February 11, 2023, 05:00:51 PM
Got irons cookin' in many project fires, lucky me!  I try not to rush anything.  ;)

One thing for certain with Kibler kits - you want to have a mallet handy because most if not all metal parts are perhaps a few thousands proud of the stock wood.  A mallet, or even a piece of 2x4 will "ease" the parts in with a few well placed taps. 

You can see in the first two images that the breech tang is ever so slightly proud of the stock's upper wrist, and tapped down flush in the last image.  So far, so good.

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Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: BEAVERMAN on February 11, 2023, 08:38:49 PM
The fit in these pics looks impeccable! well done Rob! :yessir:
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on February 12, 2023, 06:42:02 PM
Had to do a fair amount of trigger guard inlet chisel work, and a bit for the lock as well.  The inlets are nice 'n' tight - the only screws used so far are for the butt cap.  You can see a lot of tiger stripes in the red maple stock wood.  She's gonna be a bling fun gun for sure. 

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Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Bearhntr on February 12, 2023, 08:40:31 PM
Looking good!
 :hairy
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Winter Hawk on February 13, 2023, 01:50:04 PM
Now you have me thinking about selling all the guns I have and getting a Kibler kit!  That is going to be one pretty gun....
  :yessir:

~Kees~
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: No Powder on February 13, 2023, 02:49:29 PM
Maybe too pretty to shoot. Let me think about that a minute.... Naaaa. Rob, are you going to sell it when you're done, or keep it yourself?
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on February 13, 2023, 03:04:30 PM
Maybe too pretty to shoot. Let me think about that a minute.... Naaaa. Rob, are you going to sell it when you're done, or keep it yourself?

I don't like "bling wood" but I use it because I typically sell off a build and fancy wood makes for a faster sale. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!  :laffing
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: LongWalker on February 14, 2023, 11:27:07 AM
Rob-

could you take a couple measurements of the lock plate?  Length over all, and height of the plate right behind the pan.  I'm wondering if this lock would work for my Leman conversion project.

Thanks!
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on February 14, 2023, 01:53:42 PM
Rob-

could you take a couple measurements of the lock plate?  Length over all, and height of the plate right behind the pan.  I'm wondering if this lock would work for my Leman conversion project.

Thanks!

The lock plate is 4-3/4" long and 7/8" wide just in front of the pan (underneath the cock).

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Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: LongWalker on February 14, 2023, 04:49:21 PM
Exactly what I needed, thank you!
Title: Re: The next kit built - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on February 14, 2023, 04:57:37 PM
 :bl th up
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Winter Hawk on February 18, 2023, 04:12:18 PM
Now the question is, what color are the sparks off the frizzen, and do they hit square in the pan?   :bigsmile:
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on February 18, 2023, 04:52:03 PM
Now the question is, what color are the sparks off the frizzen, and do they hi square in the pan?   :bigsmile:

Don't care about sparks color, only how fast is the final ignition.
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on April 08, 2023, 06:30:36 PM
Done did it, the final wipe of Tru Oil has cured.

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Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: No Powder on April 08, 2023, 10:22:43 PM
That's a mighty fine looking rifle Rob. I wish it were mine.
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Winter Hawk on April 09, 2023, 01:32:58 PM
That turned out lovely!   :hairy
When are you going to sell it?  :luff:

~Kees~
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on April 09, 2023, 02:07:19 PM
...
When are you going to sell it?  :luff:

~Kees~

I hope I'm smart enuf this time to keep it!  :Doh!  8)

But, on to the next one!  Up on the workbench is another .54 Colonial  :applaud
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on May 18, 2023, 08:04:58 PM
Actually, the two things I never liked about SMRs is that dang crescent butt stock and the tiny curved set trigger that's too small to fit even "normal" finger into.

Maybe I should sell it .... ?   :laffing  :*:

I decided the Colonial was gonna be too heavy, so I sold the kit and ordered a Woodsrunner in .54 caliber.  Life is still good, so far.  :applaud
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: Bearhntr on June 10, 2023, 09:34:06 PM
Now up for sale - http://tradmla.org/tmaf/index.php?topic=26702.msg240934#msg240934

I cannot get the link to open...  guess it could be on my end???
Title: Re: The next kit build - Kibler SMR .45
Post by: RobD on June 11, 2023, 05:25:32 AM
Now up for sale - http://tradmla.org/tmaf/index.php?topic=26702.msg240934#msg240934

I cannot get the link to open...  guess it could be on my end???

Sorry, it was removed when the rifle was sold.