Maybe it’s for the same reason that I was resistant, fear that the kit would be to hard to build. My career involved computer programming, not woodworking, carving, or machinist skills. If you fit into this group of inexperienced muzzleloader lovers, than I may have the answer you have been looking for.

Jim Kibler’s rifle kits. These kits are made using CNC machines that carve the stock very precisely so that assembly is as easy as possible. The lock and some of the other hardware is also made on CNC machines. Plus Jim has recorded YouTube video’s to show you exactly what to do, step by step.

So far Jim has 2 kits to choose from, the Colonial Rifle Kit and the Southern Mountain Rifle Kit. Both are flintlock, no percussion, and only right handed models are currently available. Also, only rifle barrels are available, no smoothbore yet. Jim plans on expanded his offering to left handed models as well as additional styles. If you are looking for a right handed flintlock rifle that is an excellent shooter, than look no further. Jim uses Rice swamp barrels, which are arguably one of the best barrels on the market.

There is no doubt that you can find a cheaper kit, but I doubt you will find a better value kit. My kit was $850, plus $200 for the lock, plus shipping and the chemicals for the stock. It’s not cheap by any means, but if you take your time, and build this high quality kit, you will not be disappointed.

My first kit was a Dimick Rifle Kit that required a high skill level to complete. This kit has a Rice barrel and a L&R percussion lock. The cost of this kit was basically the same as the Kibler kit, but a lot of the hard work was done for me on the Kimber Kit. Fortunately for me I have friends that are highly skilled gun builders. They helped me with cutting the dovetails on the barrel, drilling and tapping all the holes needed, and installing the breach plug to the barrel. I’m very close to finishing that kit, but I still need to make to nose cap by melting tin and pouring it. Again this is something I need help to do, so I’ve benched the gun until I can get the help needed.

Learning how to build these kits has been a wonderful process. I hope that I will be able to continue this for many years. What I really like about the Kibler kit is that an inexperienced builder can assemble the kit without any help. I can focus my skills on engraving, carving, and inletting a piece or two for decoration.

I choose the basic curly maple stock in .54 caliber. I will be using Jim’s chemicals to treat the wood and metal to give the gun the traditional look. Here are pictures as I assembled the kit.