CVA .45

[bdog]

Any info on a CVA Kentucky rifle 45 percussion , I'm looking at one to buy,are they any good,anything I should look for,and what is the going rate for one used good condition?
Thanks.....

[pathfinder]

Pretty good if it's an older one. Most of us started out with 'em back in the day, and loved them! Reliable and fairly accurate I paid $59.95 new as a kit from Gells sporting goods in Livonia,Mich back in '78!

[Firewalker]

Bought one on sale in a kit from Shopko in about the early 70's for $29. Not a bad pistol back then. Now I'd spend the money on a Lyman plains pistol.

Okay RIFLE! Not pistol!  
Had a couple of them also and as Pathfinder said they weren't a bad rifle for the time.

[huntinguy]

Started with one in kit form 30 plus years back. (darn... I am getting old). It was before the drum changed. I tried very hard to wear it out. I did wear the wood out. Wood is not much. Kept my loads around 60gr of FFF. Wasn't much trouble holding 2 inches at 50 yards using RB and a spit patch.

From what I have seen they are going around $150.00 in the northwest. I would never pay that for one... I guess below $100.00 in good shape would be worth thinking about. It really depends...

Oh, keep in mind the length of pull is SHORT and the butt is small and short... IF you get it shouldered wrong... you won't be shooting for a few days.

[Breakfast Boy]

I can't speak for the gun you're looking at, but I used to have a .50 CVA Sharpshooter that I bought new back around 1995 or so.  It was kind of like a cheap looking plains rifle style, sort of.  It only cost about $100 at the time (not a kit).  It was a cheap gun, but man could that thing shoot.  I shot sabots out of it (GASP!) and it was pretty accurate.  I gave that gun to my brother when I built my Lyman GPR kit gun.

[bdog]

On the barrel it has...Conneticut Valley Arms Inc. Black Powder Only .45 Cal. Is this a USA made firearm?

[Loyalist Dave]

You may need to pull the whole barrel, as mine says Jukar Spain, and yours might too, below the stock line.  It is also possible since some were made as kits that the stamping, which is quite shallow, was polished out.

Mine shoots quite well, and I have no problems or worries shooting PRB from it.  60 grains 3Fg works great.  I tried T/C Maxi-Balls from it once, but they flew like a football kicked for a field goal.  Mine was $68.99 from Best & Co in 1978.  

They are "authentic" enough to qualify for a "traditional" shoot that allows caplocks, but just barely.  I kept mine for a loaner gun for BP season and for my kids.  I added an Uncle Mikes "hot shot" nipple and a cup around the base of the nipple.

LD

[bdog]

Loyalist Dave,whats involved in pulling the barrel,and the cup around the nipple is that an aftermarket piece or home made,I don't have the gun yet so I don't know much about it,thanks for all the replys guys.....

[W. Welshman]

bdog, Jukar 45 cal was my first rifle. I shoot 70g out to 100yards with it. From the bench bowling pins at a 100 yards with it. Nice little shooter

[bdog]

Hey W.Welshman,would that be 70g of FFF,Im new to all this so bare with me folks.....

[W. Welshman]

Yes 3F, I have gone up 90g with it. 70g is good. Have shot those metal bear target out to 200yards with it. 70g hold around five feet high "ting"

[bdog]

Welshman are ya still shooting the CVA and have you did any upgrades?
Thanks

[Captchee]

if its a US made barrel it will   say Made int he USA .
 most all were Spanish made . though CVA did have a very limited run of American made barrels on their Kentucky’s
  All but one that I have see where also on full one piece stocks . “also a limited run “
 But I did see one on a 2 piece stock one time .  But im not sure of the circumstances surrounding that piece .
 Your barrel is most likely going to say ; Made in Spain or Jukar Spain
 Many of these rifles were very good shooters . But take your time and check out the bore and the twist rate .
 Main draw back was the lock . Parts are soft and mainsprings often weak.
 You can get parts through deer creek as well as traditions .” Traditions depends on the  lock you have “
 Or you can go to a much , MUCh better lock by going to one of the L&R  replacements.
 also  with alittle work you can restock it  into any number of  diffrent  rifle profiles and hardwear .
 so if you find its a real nice shooter . there are alot of things one can do

 Today . A CVA kentuck  in 45 depending on the shape its in , you should be able to pick up in good shape  for 150 or less . a lot of times  they are around 100-120 .

[bdog]

Thanks for all the input on this gun guys, I think I'm going to go ahead and make the trade....

[W. Welshman]

bdog, Yes to your ?. Took the finish off the barrel also the finish off the stock. Took a chain to both, Stain the stock dark and darken all the brass. It's the "BOMB". One day I'll change it over to a Flinter.