Mine was a kit gun and the only thing i didn't like about it was the 2 piece stock.
It has a cheap brass cover over the seam.
And mine didn't spark either, i had to harden the frizzen!
I have always loved shooting it.
Its a .44cal and i use a .437 lee RB mold.
My 1st project was to remove the made i Japan from the barrel.
I used a birchwood casey Plumb Brown kit to finish the barrel but i did it many times because of the porocity's in the metal and they would really show up with that beautiful brown finish.
The picture is 10 years old of one of my Grandson's practicing before deer season as this was the gun he wanted to use.
at least 3 day a week for the month before season he would be ready to go shoot this rifle.
He didn't get an opportunity and his mother let him use her 788 in 30-30Win the next few years and he brought home the meat several times.