What jim kibler kit would you pick?

[troy fairweather]

I may have the money soon to finally order a kit from jim kibler, more then ever I am torn on what to get. The southern mountain rifle or the colonial rifle there both very nice and I like both.

I'm curious what others would order, what caliber, what options and how they would use the gun.

Though I should add some pictures, these are from kiblers site done by customers. None are better then any other I just picked a few that are good pictures showing the hole rifle.

Top 2 are the southern mountain rifle, 2 bottom are the colonial.

 

[arcticap]

I would select a Colonial .50 because IMO that's the most versatile & popular caliber.
It also has a single trigger which I prefer.

 

[electricfactory]

I would love to find a built .54 Kibler, my own rifle building skillset is in two specific categories- slim and none.

 

[troy fairweather]

I would love to find a built .54 Kibler, my own rifle building skillset is in two specific categories- slim and none.

I think the kibler kits need just the right amount of work needed for the average shooter. I like how most of it is cnc, I've thought since I was a kid it would be cool to have a kit cnc made.

 

[Jim Watson]

I'd take the SMR, I do not want a 9+ lb crowbar.

He doesn't offer them, but for fun I would like to work with a nice handy fusil or fowler. I fell in love with a pair - one original, one made to match except a longer stock for a tall 20th century shooter.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'd take the SMR, I do not want a 9+ lb crowbar.

He doesn't offer them, but for fun I would like to work with a nice handy fusil or fowler. I fell in love with a pair - one original, one made to match except a longer stock for a tall 20th century shooter.

Good chance his next kit is going to be a Fowler, I'd get that before the others. Think a hawken is in the mix as well.

 

[arcticap]

The Colonial rifle product page does list it being available with a smooth bore, and GM has offered a .61 smooth barrel in the past.
But GM doesn't currently list a smooth bore barrel on their website.

 

[arcticap]

Edit: I checked and GM made a smoorh bore that was reported to measure .61 .

 

[troy fairweather]

The Colonial rifle product page does list it being available with a smooth bore, and IIRC GM has offered a .62 or .60 smooth barrel in the past.
But GM doesn't currently list a smooth bore barrel on their website.

I think kibler orders the barrels as smooth, I know gm won't rifle any mz barrel 40 or under. Jim has a pretty neat way using a lathe to rifle the 40 and smaller barrels. A smooth rifle would be cool but if I ever do fine a mz shoot I don't think you can use a rear sight for any smoothbore stuff.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I don’t really like the two Kibler kit styles. Just personal preference. If I had to choose though not would be anything in .58 over any of the others.

 

[swg1]

I have the SMR in 40 as a kit sitting in my gun room. Time, space and indecision has kept me from completing it. Bought as a minimum caliber deer rifle here in WA.

 

[Flycaster1977]

I have a smr in .36 and a colonial in .54. Both are fantastic shooters and were very easy to assemble. Jim has some videos on youtube that help in the building department.

Pics of the completed smr. I added a horn muzzlecap and a horn toe plate. The stock is the colonial

 

[troy fairweather]

View attachment 983634 View attachment 983629 View attachment 983630 View attachment 983631 View attachment 983632 View attachment 983633 I have a smr in .36 and a colonial in .54. Both are fantastic shooters and were very easy to assemble. Jim has some videos on youtube that help in the building department.

Pics of the completed smr. I added a horn muzzlecap and a horn toe plate. The stock is the colonial

Very nice, I'm still undecided what I would get, leaning 54 but this gun will be used for hunting so the saved weight the 58 has is nice. I'd really like a smr in 36 for squirrel but a 45 makes more sense that I can use it for deer as well.

 

[MacAR]

I voted for the SMR in 36, but only because I've always wanted one! My only hang-up with Kibler's kits is that they're too "fancy". I want what is known as a "poor boy" rifle, meaning a very simple rifle with a single trigger, simple trigger guard, no buttplate or nosecap or other embellishments. Traditionally, they'd put a piece of horn or bone on the top of the stock to prevent it wearing off when the butt was put on the ground to load. However, that's just me. I do like the SMR, but I think for what you're wanting to do, I might go up to .40; you can kill just about any type of game with one, though a .40 might not be legal in NY for deer.

Mac

 

[troy fairweather]

I voted for the SMR in 36, but only because I've always wanted one! My only hang-up with Kibler's kits is that they're too "fancy". I want what is known as a "poor boy" rifle, meaning a very simple rifle with a single trigger, simple trigger guard, no buttplate or nosecap or other embellishments. Traditionally, they'd put a piece of horn or bone on the top of the stock to prevent it wearing off when the butt was put on the ground to load. However, that's just me. I do like the SMR, but I think for what you're wanting to do, I might go up to .40; you can kill just about any type of game with one, though a .40 might not be legal in NY for deer.
Ya we need 44 or larger here in ny. I like simple guns and I don't like flashy stuff.
Mac

 

[Obturation]

Been teetering on the edge of jumping into BP, stuff like this doesn't help. I think sooner than later I'll end up like you fellas , beautiful rifles.