Corrections/ Update information(too much bourbon) 😅:
1.The brass parts from Chambers are investment castings

2.Track of the Wolf uses a 5 axis pantograph (Not CNC),

3. Kibler barrel lugs are also “now milled as part of the barrel”.

4. The lock similar to Kiblers lock is the Chambers Colonial Virginia Flintlock, not the Queen Ann lock, the Queen Ann is the pistol version.

5. Eric von Aschwege did not design every master/kit but is working on the Fowler kit and helped Jim with Brass injection molding.

If you think I am an expert you probably drink as much as I do! 🍺

I don't think "notorious" is the right words to describe anything Chambers does. His work is phenomenal.

Very nice video. I’m working on a Kibler SMR right now and just happened to take a break and stumbled onto your video.    This is my first build since a TC Hawken 45 years ago.  I looked at all the kits you reviewed and came to the same  conclusion that Kibler was the best place to start.  I really want to build the JP Beck from Track of the Wolf, but I didn’t want to turn $1,200 in parts into a $100 rifle.  It’s kind of intimidating, so I think Kibler’s got a good approach to increasing the market for kits.

I am looking to buy a kit, and i find this video one day after publishing. Nice!

Found a original CVA mountain rifle kit for 40 bucks in a pawn shop a few years ago and been hooked ever since 😆

Yep,I started with the Track of the wolf,Worked on it then walked away and come back,nervously working on it till I finished it,Went off the first time I pulled the trigger.Thanks for the video.

Liked your video. Inspired me to have a sip of Makers Mark. My 6th gr grandmother was a Kuntz who lived in New Hanover Twp Montgomery Co Pa. I had no idea until my first visit to Dixons Gunmakers fair in 2016 that her family were gunmakers. I went there to get outfitted for the 1st Pa Reg't reenactor group I had just joined. I joined because I had another ancestor who was in Thompsons Rifle Battalion and was from Lancaster.
I was told to buy a Pedersoli but I stopped at the Chambers table and shouldered his Haines and loved it. So I ordered the Haines kit against the advise of my mentor who was helping me get the proper kit together. I even ordered the premium maple. Being a carpenter I had the confidence I could do it but it was much harder than I thought it would be. Eight years later after many reenactments and many comments saying that it was a beautiful gun my regiment set up camp at Kempton Gunmakers fair when this woman asked if she could look at one of the guns on the rack. She picked up mine. I said that one is my gun. As she looked it over I said it was a Haines replica she said I know. I said I built it from a Chambers kit, she said I know, I'm Barbie Chambers. Then she "that wasn't your first build." I said it was and she told me I did a very nice job.

Great overview of the kits.  I'd been leaning towards one of the Jim Kibler kits and you've helped me make up my mind.

Thanks, this answered many questions for me. I was trying to decide between Kibler and Chambers. I think I'll start with a Kibler smr.

To start with, you're an asset to the trade!I love all the Beck rifles, and have owned a few of the custom built versions, as well as building a couple myself. I built my first gun in 1973, and I wish I had concentrated on that more than some other things..... I'm an absolute history holic, and to those people who think history is boring, it's not static - it's absolutely dynamic. That being said, I still love restoring, and some Minor building (bad rheumatoid arthritis).. Your work is beautiful, and this was a great video!! Keep up the fantastic work, because too many of the old builders have died. So many are old, and unfortunately, I am too. Once again, excellent job, and very informative! I'm sure it'll greatly help aspiring builders! I've seen too many kids that have been put away with shoddy starts.. many people ignore the fact that you have to be somewhat competent with hand tools, and that's where they fall short. Thanks again, too long-winded😂

There is a difference between assembled & made. I have no problem telling anyone I assembled & finished my Kibler.😊

Those are the top tier condenders for kits. We purchased two fowler kits in .62 cal from 'the setting fox'. The stocks were inletted for barrel & ramrod only. At that time of purchase T.S.F. offered lock upgrades from davis or L.& R. The default lock was sidler style. Both flint or percussion were offered. Also upgrades to double set davis triggers. Furniture was sand cast....wood choice was grades of maple, cherry & walnut.

I wish I could afford these pieces of art

I've built Jim Kibler's southern mountain rifle and woods runner kits, and I love both of them.  I have better than average woodworking and metalworking skills, but I'm not really into doing something the hard way just to prove I can... I'm more into getting a gun built and shooting it.

I got into black powder firearms mid 70's bulding mostly from scratch, bought a barrel blank and made the rest, stock, lock, trigger guard. being a retired now and having worked allot on cnc machines i know how accurate they are. I bought a Jim Kibler Colonial Long Rifle extra fancy curly maple for a winter project. Jim Does an excellent job at programing the parts needed very little fitting only took about 2 weeks and i was done. Beautiful rifle and shoots extremely well.

Theres several books on step by step procedures with illustrations on inletting for locks, tangs, and barrels. Using candle soot is the best way to determine high spots in the inletting. A builder needs at least a hand manual drill or electric or bench drill press for lock inletting...most everything else can be attacked with large to medium files wood rasp, jewerles files some good 1/4" chisels...some forsters bits & spiral bits...& patience x10.😊

Track of the wolf no longer refers to them as kits, but rather parts sets, basically saying “you figure it out”. Kibler kits are definitely the easiest one for someone who may not have much experience or tools at their disposal, but there’s only a couple kits offered. Pretty similar to something like investarm “Lyman” kits, maybe even easier. Chambers offers a few more styles but requires more fitment, similar to the TVM rifles to my understanding. Tracks “kits” come in a very wide variety in styles and customization, not only that but you could just order a whole bunch of parts individually to make something one off, but it’s a ton of work. At least track does offer some services to make it a bit easier, like installing breech plugs, milling dovetails for sights, and installing the lugs, but you still have to locate and drill the vent hole, the pins or wedges, and you end up with a lot more fitment. Some of the stocks aren’t even inlet for the lock. You definitely need some hands on wood and metal work experience, like shop level 2 or 3 in high school, to be able to tackle one without much trouble.

Just came across your channel!  Great video and advice...thank you for really giving an honest over view. Look forward to more! Keep doing what your doing! Semper Fi.

The Chambers kit allows the builder to customize it. Example; the Kibler Fowler kit does not allow for a different shell pattern at the tang and the barrel is not fully round. Also, Kibler does not have English walnut as an option for stock wood

Great information. Would like to know more about the gun barrels included in the kits.