Off centered sights

[No Powder]

Eric, last year you mentioned a sight problem with your Kibler. You were going to send it to Jim to find out why you had to have your front sight so far off center of the barrel flat. This was in the Sept. postal shoot thread. Did you make anything out with your problem ?

[Second-rate Marksman]

I ultimately returned the barrel to Kibler and was told Jim would evaluate it and bend it as needed to correct the point of impact. Months went by without any word-- likely because this all coincided with production of the Kibler Hawken. When I finally called to check on its status, I was given a bit of a runaround: reassured that Jim had it in hand and that it would ship the following week, which never happened. Eventually, they sent me a replacement barrel instead.

I was admittedly disappointed, as I really liked how the original barrel's finish had turned out. In the end, though, it worked out for the best. The replacement barrel proved to be exceptionally accurate, and I went on to win the Coeur d'Alene Muzzleloaders' woods walk a couple months later with a near-perfect rifle score.

True to form, I just recently sold that SMR to fund another purchase. Kevin jokes that I have a gun-buying and trading disorder -and he's probably not wrong- but my interests have been shifting more toward living history, particularly the colonial period, rather than the mountain man era. As enjoyable and accurate as the Southern Mountain Rifle is, it no longer fit my personal focus. I've also found that I'm increasingly drawn to custom guns with more individual character, rather than the more uniform, kit-built rifles like those from Kibler. Those Kibler guns sure do run though! They're like the Swiss watch of flintlocks. If I could get a Kibler with just enough relief carving and engraving to keep it from looking like one of the many owned by every Tom, Dick, and Harry, I suspect it would be a forever gun.

Photos of the finished SMR below:

[No Powder]

Well time and interests change. I just hope you never lose the muzzleloading bug in general. That SMR makes me drool. It's gorgeous. I only own two custom rifles. Both TVM's. Wish I had more but finances won't allow it. Maybe someday my wife will win, I'm sorry I meant to say maybe someday I will win the lottery and that will change.

[Second-rate Marksman]

Oh, I don't see myself ever losing the bug-- I'm in way too deep at this point! 😄

For me, if a gun is going to stick around, it has to evoke something. Accuracy matters, sure, but that alone isn't enough. I want a piece that makes me feel something every time I pick it up-- it's got to evoke feelings of history, craftsmanship, and soul. That's the hook for me.

And hey, two custom TVMs is nothing to sneeze at! Those are solid, honest rifles with a lot going for them. I get the finances part completely; most of us are pacing ourselves whether we admit it or not. Just throwing this out there... if you (or the missus) win the lottery, I'll be happy to help you spend it wisely. 

I appreciate the kind words on the SMR, Thomas. I'll be a little sad to see it go, but I've got another .45 in walnut lined up that I'll be starting in the next couple of weeks, which should ease the sting. Truth be told, I just really enjoy the process of putting these kits together.

This next one will be my fourth build. I've sold every rifle I've completed so far, and if I'm being honest, once you factor in the sheer number of hours involved, I'm probably making well under minimum wage. But, then again, that's never really been the point.

[Rob DiStefano]

Well now that is/was a beauty of an SMR, love the tiger stripe and stain. 

I built a Kibler SMR just to build one in .45 but never liked crescent butt stocks and hand grip trigger guards, so it got sold off right quick.

I know too well the bull/sell syndrome - guilty on all accounts and 11 Kibler kits done and gone to date!

I'm left now with just a simple plain Jane Kibler 16ga fowler as my sole firelock and in the process of working on a Pede Bess kit.  I'm really intrigued with the forthcoming Kibler Bess and may just get that as my final firelock hurrah.

[No Powder]

What 😧 !!!!! final firelock!!!!

[Rob DiStefano]

What 😧 !!!!! final firelock!!!!

One can only hope.

Besides the Kibler Bess, there is his forthcoming Barn Gun ............... 

So many guns, so little time ... !

[Second-rate Marksman]

Well now that is/was a beauty of an SMR, love the tiger stripe and stain. 

I built a Kibler SMR just to build one in .45 but never liked crescent butt stocks and hand grip trigger guards, so it got sold off right quick.

I know too well the bull/sell syndrome - guilty on all accounts and 11 Kibler kits done and gone to date!

I'm left now with just a simple plain Jane Kibler 16ga fowler as my sole firelock and in the process of working on a Pede Bess kit.  I'm really intrigued with the forthcoming Kibler Bess and may just get that as my final firelock hurrah,

Thank you, Rob! I appreciate that.

I can totally see what you mean about the crescent butt plate-- it IS a different beast and requires a bladed stance that feels more than a little awkward.

11 Kibler kits, eh? You've been a busy boy! You must be some kind of masochist or glutton for punishment. 

Glad to know I'm not the only one afflicted with GASS (Gun Acquisition/Selling Syndrome). Maybe you can sit Kev down and help him understand it's far more common than he thinks. The way he talks sometimes, you'd think I ought to feel ashamed-- like I've been a very naughty boy. 😄

I'm right there with you-- I'm eagerly awaiting the Kibler Brown Bess as well, and I have no doubt Jim is going to absolutely knock it out of the park. The Pedersoli Bess carbine was one of my first flintlocks and, honestly, it was a blast to shoot. I refinished the stock, defarbed the barrel and lock, and eventually sold it for a tidy profit. Still, I could never quite make peace with the steady criticism over how much it strayed from the original. If I'm going to own a reproduction, by golly, it ought to be a faithful one; I don't want to give the stitch-counters and authenticity police out there reasons to poo-poo my gear.

[Nessmuk]

While I tend to agree with Kdubs that you are a naughty boy, I'm also pragmatic enough to realize that I benefit from guys with GASS. Where else could I buy great muzzleloaders!!!