Loyalist Arms Baker rifle worth it?

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Edburns117

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Hi I’m curious about the Baker rifle being offered by Loyalist Arms. Does anyone have one and wish to share their thoughts on it? I’m looking for a close example just to have fun with at 100m. I know it’s barrel sticks out too far past the nose cap, the brass trigger guard/grip is a little off compared to an original also it’s a smooth bore. But for the price I can forgive that. At the same time it’s enough money that I’d rather not buy junk if that’s what it is.



Thanks in advance!

,Ed
 
There are always many more negative reviews on Indian made guns, than positive reviews. You get what you pay for. A proper made one would be more than 3x the price.
 
I bought a blunderbuss from them a few years ago but have yet to shoot it so can’t really comment on how the Indian made guns shoot
It does make a nice wall display though!
 
These Indian made guns have been talked to death on another muzzleloading forum. The results are always the same. There are those that hate them from the get go just because they are Indian guns, there are some that feel so-so about them because they might have had some issues or they aren't "historically correct" and there are many who say there is nothing wrong with them. But most agree that the locks need work which I believe Loyalist does. So really the only way to know is to buy one. Only then will you know which camp you fall into.
 
It s supposedly next year from an email I got from themwhen I asked about the Baker.Then add on another year or so before we get them in the Canadian market because of demand so I would figure at least three years.Some guys have purchased the Indian made Bakers and have had them rotted with a Colerain Baker rifled barrel but these barrels are just about all out of stock every where down the states currently
 
After building a Baker and owning a Loyalist Brown Bess. I can say that you won't even be able to get parts for $850. Add tax and shipping and you are still spending less than parts.

If you don't care about accuracy and just want a plinker, it would be just fine. The lock will need tuning & probably the frizzen re-hardened.
The stock will not be Walnut.

If you are thinking buy and upgrade, by the time you buy a Colerain barrel (the only manf.) and a quality lock, you'll spend another $1000(tax shipping & exchange) to drop into a pretty roughly made stock.

IMO: "Fine for plinking and wall hanging, it might even be a good shooter."

FWIW: last I heard about Pedersoli was they were in the process of making the molds for the castings. That was probably close to 2 months ago. So the 3 years estimate given is probably pretty close.

AFWIW: Baker rifles were made by dozens of shops/makers and factories, sub contractors etc-etc-etc. so there are variations in things like amount of barrel past the nose, length of the nose cap, etc. The one I see on most is an incorrect front sight. so I wouldn't be worried about that.
 
Sean did you build yours from The Rifle Shoppe?

That’s one I looked at but figured I’d be $2000+ getting the parts to my door. That’s with the options their site offers such as building the lock, putting in the breech and cutting the dovetails for the sights etc. I’ve heard it’s a long wait and I don’t mind doing a bit of work myself although I’m more a metal worker than a wood worker so the stock may be an issue. Pedersoli’s Baker will likely be $2000 also so maybe the kit isn’t worth it. I’d love to hear from people who’ve built them though because making your own rifle would be cool
 
Edburns117 said:
Sean did you build yours from The Rifle Shoppe?

That’s one I looked at but figured I’d be $2000+ getting the parts to my door. That’s with the options their site offers such as building the lock, putting in the breech and cutting the dovetails for the sights etc. I’ve heard it’s a long wait and I don’t mind doing a bit of work myself although I’m more a metal worker than a wood worker so the stock may be an issue. Pedersoli’s Baker will likely be $2000 also so maybe the kit isn’t worth it. I’d love to hear from people who’ve built them though because making your own rifle would be cool
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Yea - that's the one.
- Close to $2k, but not quite I don't think. I was sent the kit to build for someone else, so I don't know what the wait is like. Call them and see if they have the parts.
- definitely get an assembled lock. life is too short to do it yourself.
- There is a lot to do on the barrel, 7 dovetails and soldering that lug - and everything needs to be timed perfectly. So unless you want to do a lot of layout, have all that done.

If you paid someone you would be around $3500.

I would think Pedersoli would be north of $2500 ... and there will be "manufacturing" improvements on that one.
 
Wait are you Kimball Arms? I just saw the picture and it clicked, I’ve followed along on all 3 parts of the baker build! You do great work. Sounds like a Baker is out of my reach for now price wise and I’m not sure I want to spend the money on one that may or may not work.

Thanks everyone for all the replies!!

,Ed
 
Edburns117 said:
Wait are you Kimball Arms? I just saw the picture and it clicked, I’ve followed along on all 3 parts of the baker build! You do great work. Sounds like a Baker is out of my reach for now price wise and I’m not sure I want to spend the money on one that may or may not work.

Thanks everyone for all the replies!!

,Ed
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Ya - that's me. If I ever finish all this programming I may actually finish the build articles!

The Loyalist Baker would be fine, probably need a little love to be reliable. I hear their customer service is great so... buy one and resell when you feel like an upgrade. ;)
 
I’ll have to give it some more thought. Worst case I have a nice decoration. If I got one I’d be tempted to have it hot blued. Is it possible to cut rifling into a smooth bore and shoot slightly large ball? Maybe I’m just putting expensive lip stick on a pig with that thought. In any case if I get one I’ll be sure to give it an honest review on here to help other like me
 
A gent I know just got one of the Bakers from Military Heritage. He got someone to cut rifling in it. Apparently it was a bugger. The steel the barrel was made of is some really tough stuff. The steel number was on the barrel and it was similar to axle steel.
For sure the metallurgy is much improved over the old days. But as for cutting rifling in it...

I had a rifled barrel made in the US a few years back on one of the Indian repros from TOTW.

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I bought the rifle from TOTW, had it shipped to Ed Rayl, he made a great barrel for it and then shipped the whole works to me. This might have been 10 years ago.

I had about 1K into it and at the time, our dollar was a lot stronger than it is now.
 
Wow! That rifle looks amazing! Did they tune up the lock or have you ever had an issue with it? That rifle is exactly what I’d like to get. Maybe I should contact TOTW
 
The ones at military heritage look the most like an original Baker in my opinion. The one in your pictures looks just like one too. I’ve never owned a flint lock, only percussion so having a professional set it up is worth it to me. That’s the draw to loyalty
 
Edburns117 said:
I’ll have to give it some more thought. Worst case I have a nice decoration. If I got one I’d be tempted to have it hot blued. Is it possible to cut rifling into a smooth bore and shoot slightly large ball? Maybe I’m just putting expensive lip stick on a pig with that thought. In any case if I get one I’ll be sure to give it an honest review on here to help other like me
Click to expand...

I don't know if a Loyalist rifle could be blued - someone said the barrel was really tough - the Bess I have here has never even thought about rusting. I suspect they are some kind of chrome/alloy steel.

Traditionally I believe they were left in the white or browned - they look great browned.

FWIW, That gun was really nice to shoulder and felt "just right" small sight picture, but that can be fixed easy. If I had the time and spare cash, would build one for myself.

Edburns117 said:
Also Sean I look forward to part 4!
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dan belisle said:
Me too. - dan
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Yes, me too. Working 12-14 hour days at the real job and on a deadline, so probably not going to get back to fun stuff until the end of May! :(

I do have notes... maybe I can get ChatGPT to write it for me ;)
 
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