"Original" Hawken vs. T/C Hawken

[Doc Rogers]

I'm looking into getting a Hawken rifle and am not sure if it is worth it to go with the much more expensive "Hawken Shop" rifle or just go with a very good, although not "the original Hawken" name, rifle? The T/C (which I hear is very solid) is running mid-$500's new on most sites and the Hawken Shop rifle kit model starts around $1100 and goes up with options.

Anyone feel strongly about this one way or the other?

I'm a newby who has fired BP before and wants to get finally get my own rifle. I am willing to invest a little bit of money if it is truly worth it.
Thanks.

Also, do you know if you can get the T/C Hawken in a left handed model?

 

[Lonestar.45]

It really all just depends on how important it is for you to have an "original" Hawken or not. The T/C Hawken is a great gun and will shoot just as well as the $1,100 rifle you mentioned. Only real difference is it's not "period" correct so to speak. How important is that to you? Only you can answer whether it's worth it or not.

You might also want to look at the Lyman Great Plains rifles. They're in the same class price wise as the T/C (actually a little cheaper), but are super sturdy, and more closely resemble the "original" you're talking about.

If you really want to look at some great looking rifles to decide, check out Track of the Wolf's website, it'll give you a great idea of what they all look like.

 

[sundance44s]

Sundance44s

My vote goes to the Lyman GP kit ..lefty if needed ... its a great looking rifle with a barrel twist thats good for round ball shooting 1 in 60 inch .. something the Thompson lacks . Looks alot more like the original Hawken too.

 

[J.T. Gerrity]

I third the Great Plains rifle. Close to an original Hawken and less than $500. The T.C. Hawken, while a very good gun, is a modern version that resembles an original Hawken in name only...

 

[Milkmaster]

T/C Hawken

I vote for the T/C Hawken. Gret gun, lifetime warranty, parts easy to aquire, good product support. One thing to remember on most of the brands including the T/C...the lifetime warranty is only on the preassembled weapons. The kits do not carry that warranty. My $.02 worth!

 

[MutinousDoug]

Most of the original J&S Hawkin rifles carried two escutchen pins that you will not find on a TC product. The Great Plaines rifle carries two such pins.
OTOH many documented Hawkin rifles carried barrels with 1/48" twist as they could be shot with acceptable accuracy using PRB using 70-120gr BP in .50 cal, which made them versitile weapons (not to mention shooting conicals).
Hawkin Bros and later Gemmer rifles had much more variation throughout their manufacture than any choice you will have today. Either a Great Plaines or TC Hawkin or Renegade will provide you a fine "traditional looking" hunting gun.

 

[jonnyringo]

My vote goes to the T/C Hawken. I replaced my barrel with the roundball barrel made by T/C. I sold the original barrel on ebay and gor most of the money to pay for the new barrel.
Great looking gun configured to shoot roundball. The 1:48 original barrel is good for Buffalo Bullets and will also work for roundball. I just plan shooting only roundball.

 

[Starter52]

Unless you need your Hawkens for a film or historical reenactment, I'd buy the Thompson/Center. You can't go wrong with a T/C blackpowder rifle.

 

[huli]

My 0.2 Says Buy the TC Hawken , Ive had mine for 16 yrs and have Killed 11 Deer with it without a hitch. And By the way I have a 45 TC hawken Percussion Thats real good condition, ThaT I would part with for 250.00 + Shipping. Huli

 

[Doc Rogers]

Alcon:

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to go with either the T/C Hawken or the Lyman GPR. I'm hearing a lot about the GPR that I like.

Thanks again,
Doc Rogers

 

[J.T. Gerrity]

Good choice, Doc! I have a GPR, and it's a real sweet gun. You won't regret it!

 

[RugerGuy]

I'm buying a T/C Renegade in .58 . I called them yesterday and they won't have any wood to make stocks for another 4 weeks or so. At $399 its a solid gun that will serve me for many years. I've had my .54 New Englander since 1994 and love it. Let us know what you finally decide on and good luck !!

 

[captaincaveman]

if you go with the GPR check out midsouth. They have them for $370 for the complete gun and $280 for the kit

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c... RIFLES&dept3=54 CAL&dept4=LYMAN GREAT PLAINS

Josh

 

[Doc Rogers]

An update on my quest for a "Hawkwn-style" rifle.

I was goofing around on the internet BP dealer websites (as I seem to be catching myself doing that more and more lately ) and ended up finding a really nice .50 cal Jonathan Browning Mountain Rifle 100th anniversary in the box. Checked it out and ended up purchasing it.

Looks really nice and I've heard only good things about them. Cannot wait to get my hands on it and see how it is (although I'll have to wait until I'm home on leave in March. Currently stuck in Korea so I asked my Brother-in-law to pick it up for me and he is now holding it until then).

I'm sure I'll have many more questions in a few months but the first one is: How do you break it to your wife that you spent twice as much as what you original told her you were planning to

 

[4v50 Gary]

Since you're on your first gun...

Go with a starter gun rather than a custom gun. You learn to shoot it and develop your tastes. A custom gun can always be made for you later.

 

[Iggy]

You snared a fine rifle in the Browning.

When Browning was making those, they cost a lot more than what else was available. Demand was not enough to justify continuing production.

They were one of the best bargains around at the time and have attained collector status now.
I couldn't afford one when they were around and always wished I could have bought one.

It is a hiqh quality and fairly authentic "Hawken styled " rifle..

Enjoy it.

 

[redneck2]

The only thing "Hawken" about the T/C is the name IMO. That said, if that's what one wants, have at it.

I have a replica Hatfield .50 cal hanging above my TV. It's a close approximation to a real Hawken. Got it used but basically new condition some years back for $715.

If you can find "Hawken Rifle, Mountain Man's Choice", it is an excellent reference to the real Hawken.

When I went to Friendship in the mid 70's, the Hawken Shop had 6 originals there. They let me handle several of them. Really cool to hold a gun that probably went thru Indian wars, killed elk, buffalo, bears.

 

[arcticap]

How do you break it to your wife that you spent twice as much as what you original told her you were planning to

Well Doc, once you're married you're supposed to start thinking more like a salesman. You need to justify the cost of the item to her by breaking down the total amount into a "yearly cost", you know, like over a 20 year lifespan for the item. For example, if the item cost $600, you inform her that for only $30 per year, the gun doesn't cost a whole lot more annually than the $300 gun you were planning on buying.
Then you explain to her how since you can't take the gun to the grave with you, that you are only renting it until it gets sold off somewhere down the road and in fact it's an investment, so that your actual long term costs will really be significantly less.
And because this gun is rarer, its resale price will appreciate at a higher rate in the future, so your final costs will actually be much lower.
Gee Doc, how long have you been married anyway?

BTW...nice gun!

 

[redneck2]

How do you break it to your wife that you spent twice as much as what you original told her you were planning to

Look thru the closet and see how much she's spent on shoes and clothes. That typically shuts the disucssion down rather quickly.

 

[Ray P]

As an aside, the Great Plans Pistol in .50 is a great companion to the Hawken rifle of any make. The pistol is also very accurate at 50 yds with round ball.

Generally, if you want a close approximation of a historic Hawken, go with the GPR. If you want hunting power & accuracy, and don't mind having a Gemmer look-alike, go with a fast-twist barrel in a TC Hawken.

Personally, I believe Hatchet Jack would have carried a TC w/ 1:60 if he had the choice