I feel like Rip Van Winkle

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Oldschool shooter

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Haven't been real active with black powder guns for some time, and can't get over the prices and fewer choices. My last rifle was a TC Hawken I built from a kit, $100 at a gun shop. I also put together an 1851 Navy and 1860 Army, both CVA kits, about $65 each. My last purchase was a Richland Arms 3rd Model Dragoon, thought I was nuts to pay $175. No more TC kits, no more CVA kits, what happened during my hiatus, and when did prices get so high?
 
I remember buying kit revolvers at Friendship for about $65, but those were the pre quantitative easing days. Last time I saw a kit for sale was about $250 at TheFiringLine's black powder For Sale/For Trade sub-forum.
 
I remember buying a .45 single shot percussion pistol kit for $19.95 in the mid 1970's. Wish I had never have sold it. Of course I sold it for 6 times what I paid for it.
 
We the uberti and pedersoli kits are expensive because they are uberti and pedersoli as for the rest my geuss is that so long as it appears b to be a little bit cheaper people will buy it thinking it will be cheap and easy even though once you buy a bottle not bluing agent your already in the relm of paying for premade let alone all the other stuff you need to finish one of these things. Also like you said less competition no more cva or tc kits.
 
Sure and I can recall gas at .27 cents a gallon, fags at 10 cents a pack, and 22 LR at $5.00 a brick. My 64 1/2 Mustang was $2,000.00 brand new, the house I still own cost $12,000 and I earned less than $100.00 a week. It is all relevant I guess.:what:
 
Lots o reasons. dollar has lost value against foreign currencies. Better materials and better quality control in Italy, several low quality makes having been knocked out of production. Changing hobbies in the US. Too many folks glued to electronic media 24-7. Too many folks having to buy the latest and greatest deer killer every year. My Dad's 80 year old model 94 Winchester in 30-30 is no longer considered adequate for deer by many.

Just the changes in transportation regulations of powder and supplies has added unnecessarily to costs.

Folks have also realized the value of having a top notch custom gun with a proper flint lock of optimum steel and geometry. A custom gun's parts alone can run $700.00 and up. That doesn't include labor for the builder.

The result, is that demand is both less and changed. A TC kit for $100, (mine cost $109 in 1977) is not the top notch product anymore. Custom guns with Chambers or L&R locks and fancy $400 piece of maple are now required. TC stopped all side locks because there was insufficient demand.
 
Those of us who were in High School during the Civil War Centennial celebrations and who were inspired to see what all that smoke was about are getting a bit older.

Retirement means less cash for toys. Less demand equals smaller selection and higher prices.

The CW Sesquicentennial was hardly mentioned (The Charleston firing on Sumter was way cool!) and the War of 1812 Bicentennial was never mentioned here in the news.

I remember both Life and Look magazines extensive coverage of the CW Centennial and my dad taking us to Gettysburg in 1963 because of the big build up in the news.

These last five years represent a lost opportunity to expand our sport among the youngsters and ramp up demand for its stuff.

Who will want all my toys when I'm gone??? I guess I better enjoy playing with them now.
 
Don't get me started on the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Though I think part of the problem has been that the economy has been bad...and what money people have had, they have spent on ARs. Nobody has talked about banning muzzle-loaders yet.
 
I still love my old Investarms .54 caliber Hawkins I ordered from Cabelas. I love the smell of the burning powder and the possibles that go along with that rifle. I even love cleaning the gun with the boiling water and the whole nine yards of caring for this gun.
 
I guess it's just normal as we get older to want to re-live some of the "good ole days". My next question is who makes a good kit rifle or single shot pistol? I've only ever owned and shot percussion guns, but would not be against trying a flintlock. Are the Lyman and Traditions kits any good, or should I spend the extra money for something of better quality? I would appreciate any suggestions.
 
"Anything that Lyman imports from Investarms in Italy is very good quality."

I couldn't agree more. I know a bunch of guys that have Lyman flinters every one of them are shooters.
 
Lyman sound like a good reasonably priced option for me. I've seen some other brands like Pedersoli, but more expensive and generally finished guns. Any other options?
 
CANNONMAN I remember being able to remember... now what were you talking about?


Its that second cousin to that alltimers disease , called sometimers disease. or CRS.:D
 
Thanks for the link Crawdad1. Pretty nice stuff there, might have to start saving up and get something from them, looks top notch.
 
No one has mentioned how much black powder has gone up when you can find it locally. I used to pay $3.75 for a pound. Lead shot used to go for $7 for a 25# bag. But then I remember when the minimum wage was $1/hour. Gives you an indication of my vintage.
 
Yep, prices have gotten silly. I finally got back to shooting my old "Wally Mart El Cheapo" inline, a T/C "209 Wildcat". Cheap plastic stock.
Fun, but not that accurate.
Been wanting to get a decent old-fashioned style, a Hawken or similar. Whoowee! My wallet hurts just looking at those prices...... :eek:
I may go for a kit, as I have done plenty f stock work and refinishing n other guns. Still spendy, but not as bad.
 
I am making more now than I was when I retired form AT&T back in '94 and am actually living better but the living better is mainly because my kids are grown and gone.
 
BTW, my first smokepole is a Markwell Arms 45 Long Rifle kit. It was $65 or so (it had sat at the gunshop for years before being put on the bargain table). I added a rib to the barrel, poured a pewter nose and made it a halfstock. Now I can't find the ramrod. :eek:

As to the prices going up, quantitative easing.
 
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