CVA Hawkens model .50cal

Question
I was asked if CVA has had any problems, recalls ect. in regards to there nipples on this weapon the Hawkens model. This individual had purchased it for his younger son and asked me if I thought it was a safe gun.

Answer
Hello Brad. I have not found any safety recalls on any CVA rifle other than the 1999 in-line rifle. The CVA rifles are sound quality firearms. Safety is relevant. I have owned several CVA percussion rifles in the 30+ years I have been shooting. The .45 caliber Kentucky Rifle was my first one. I found it very accurate from a rest, but since I was 5'5" and weighed 120#, I found it very hard to control the bore. My next was a Hawken. I was very pleased with it, especially off-hand. As far as the durability, I only saw one that didn't hold up. A friend of mine saw the same one. I gave my first Kentucky to him. I told him to never put any powder but blackpowder in it. I also gave him the original CVA Manual and told him to read it before he shot it. We went out to shoot the next day and shot a dozen or so shots. He was doing alot better than I since he had more 'lead in his pants'. I explained that he was limited to a mule deer kill shot of under 100 yards. When he got a 6 inch group at 75 yards, I told him a few more shots would do it. I left him with blackpowder, patches and balls. He came by my house a couple days later. He handed me three pieces of the rifle. The barrel was ripped down the middle from the rear sight to the breach. The stock was splintered at the grip. I new what he had done, but I asked him anyway. He said he kept increasing the blackpowder charge and wasn't getting 100 yards, so he opened up a 12 gauge shotgun shell and put 'just a little' powder with the blackpowder to get the 100 yards. He was so embarrassed. BUT ALIVE!! Please share this with your friend. The only problem I ever had with the discharge of any of my CVA's was an occasional miss-fire from old powder.I still have that CVA HAWKEN and shoot it occasionally. Love it! I hope this answers your questions and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage