I recently completed a Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle kit, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Going into the project, I had very little woodworking or gunsmithing experience, so I was a bit intimidated. In the end, it really wasn't as difficult as I expected. The biggest piece of advice I can give is: **take your time.**
For fitting the barrel and buttstock, I used powdered charcoal mixed with a small amount of vegetable oil as an inletting black. It worked very well for identifying the high spots and made the fitting process much easier. Take your time with the buttstock in particular—it pays off in the final fit.
One mistake I made was with the front ramrod pipe. Before driving the pin through the stock, make absolutely sure the pin will pass cleanly through the pipe. I didn't verify the alignment first, and I ended up splitting the wood down the ramrod channel.
Another tip is to fit and install the ramrod before permanently installing the ramrod pipes. This ensures the rod slides in and out smoothly and makes it much easier to align everything correctly.I may need a replacement ramrod pipe.
If you're worried about drilling the pin holes, don't be. Just go slowly and carefully. I also recommend using a small jeweler's saw to cut the barrel tenons and a small file set from the big box stores. Taking your time here makes the process much less stressful.
One thing to note is that some of the older Southern Mountain Rifle build videos show you drilling and tapping the lock. **This is no longer necessary.** Kibler now has the lock pre-drilled and tapped, which saves time and eliminates one of the more intimidating steps for first-time builders.
Overall, the Southern Mountain Rifle turned out beautifully, and I'm genuinely proud of the finished product. For someone with no previous woodworking or gunsmithing skills, I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
I also want to mention that Kibler has the best customer service I've ever dealt with. They were helpful throughout the process, and that gave me the confidence to keep moving forward whenever I had questions.
I'm already looking forward to ordering a Colonial Rifle kit for my next build!