Advice

[mshail]

Want to build a pistol from kit. Looking at the Plains Pistol or the Kentucky Pistol. Sure there are others I am not aware of.
Noticed .50 cal is a popular size for these builds. Thinking of building 1 at .45 cal.
Will be my first attempt at building.
Any suggestions before I purchase the kit ?

 

[wiscoaster]

A Traditions Kentucky percussion pistol is a pretty decent first project. You can probably pick up a Traditions kit at your local big box gun store. It won't result in the greatest gun, but chances are, it won't be your last project either, so when you start with something fairly simple, like the Traditions, and have success with it, you're more likely to be motivated to move up to a better kit and a better gun.

My first kit build (and my first BP muzzleloader, period) was a Traditions .50 cal Kentucky:

... and now I've done three pistol kits, and more if you count the long guns. It's a deep, dark rabbit hole, and welcome to it!! Best wishes, good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[1stnamebassist]

The Traditions 50 cal Trapper is a fun build. You can’t go wrong with either of the ones you mentioned also.

 

[BoomStick]

If you've got a little more skill and a bit more budget, Clay Smith offers a very nice pistol kit.

 

[morehops52]

If you have a BP rifle already you might want to have your pistol in the same caliber. Keeps things that much simpler.