Building a kit rifle

[Dillon W.]

Guys I’m getting interested in building a kit rifle. Unfortunately, being a lefty, I just have to have a left handed rifle. Anyways, I’ve been looking at TOTW’s kits and the mile long build list looks rather daunting. I have to ask, have any of you built one of their kits? And how much skill must one possess to not totally screw it up?

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Guys I’m getting interested in building a kit rifle. Unfortunately, being a lefty, I just have to have a left handed rifle. Anyways, I’ve been looking at TOTW’s kits and the mile long build list looks rather daunting. I have to ask, have any of you built one of their kits? And how much skill must one possess to not totally screw it up?

Two things that never come with a kit. Time and Patience.
SM

 

[Dillon W.]

Fair enough. Lol.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Fair enough. Lol.

Kind of cracking a joke there but, although I am not as near good doing things as some on here.
I know I had to incorporate those two items into many things I have done. The outcome is more satisfying. And a third ingredient.....admitting to one self that there are times that lead up to a mental block on how to proceed..... It is ok to ask for help. The folks on here are more than willing to help...from all angles. Enjoy the build.
Oh and typing in a keyword in search will bring tons of previous threads on topics discussed

SM

 

[Dillon W.]

Ah, I see. Thank you sir. I’m still trying to decide on model, caliber, & barrel length. Albeit I’m digging around and trying to see what it’s going to take. I see they have the option of letting them do some of the metal work, at a fee of course. I may go that route. But the wood work on the other hand may be something else. But I believe it will be a fun adventure.

 

[Trot]

Well there are a lot of mechanical skills required. You must be able to drill and tap holes, cut dovetails in the barrel, time and install the breech plug, drill for barrel pins, and lots of stock inletting. The stock needs to have lots of wood removal and shaping. This is the hardest part for me, getting the shape and details of the stock correct. Building one of these is definitely not something anybody can do, you will have to assess your skills.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Track of the Wolf's kits are good, but they do come as a set of parts. You will need a good assembly book such as "The Gunsmith of Grenville County" to provide instruction. Watch the following set of videos and get Peter Alexander's book.

You may find Bill Raby's thread on building a Lancaster rifle interesting here in this topic.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/building-a-lancaster-rifle.114126/

I would recommend one of Jim Kibler's kits as having high quality parts and being using CNC techniques to carve the stock, most of the difficult tasks of inletting are at an almost finished state.

 

[EC121]

Kit building depends on how much work you want to do. Some kits are just a bag of rough parts and a piece of wood with the barrel inlet. You do it all. Others like Kibler's are mostly done with some fine work to finish the assembly. If you like the style he offers, I would start with a Kibler. It will give you a feel for the work, and you will have a decent rifle when done. You still have to finish the metal and wood but the inletting, shaping, and barrel metalwork is 99% done. Plus the lock will be in the correct place. TVM and others will put one in the white for you to finish.
I saw a Kibler kit at the CLA show that John Schippers(the master engraver) had worked on. He carved and engraved it plus added an engraved iron patchbox until it didn't resemble the original kit. It was a beauty. I was on the way to lunch with a group. Some so-and-so bought it while I was at lunch.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I should have mentioned Jim Kibler's You Tube Channel on which he has videos of the assembly, finishing, and staining of one of his kits.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK-DUN4pHdQm-yeIDchwuzQ

 

[Col. Batguano]

The other critical element is desire. How badly do you want to do this? If you want it badly enough, you will find the time and patience.

As far as style and caliber go, the first thing to decide is what your primary intended use is for it. Hunting or range use? If you intend on hunting with it at all though, there are likely caliber considerations in play, and possibly ignition system limitations too depending on your state.

For ANY build though you'll need yourself a decent work space. Preferably a well lit bench and with 2 vices on it. A few hand tools that you will figure out as you go along

 

[Pete G]

Two things that never come with a kit. Time and Patience.
SM

...and persistentence, but first get some books to study.

 

[BJHabermehl]

Track of the Wolf's kits are good, but they do come as a set of parts. You will need a good assembly book such as "The Gunsmith of Grenville County" to provide instruction. Watch the following set of videos and get Peter Alexander's book.

You may find Bill Raby's thread on building a Lancaster rifle interesting here in this topic.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/building-a-lancaster-rifle.114126/

I would recommend one of Jim Kibler's kits as having high quality parts and being using CNC techniques to carve the stock, most of the difficult tasks of inletting are at an almost finished state.

You are forgetting that Jim Kibler does not as yet offer a left hand kit.

 

[BJHabermehl]

...and persistentence, but first get some books to study.

Dixon’s book is much better for a beginner than Alexander’s

 

[BJHabermehl]

Building a long rifle from a parts set like Tracks needs patience and a good handle on the relationships between the parts. None of the operations of building a simple long rifle are terribly difficult. However they all need to be executed very well or the accumulation of errors will lead to a less than desirable result. There are some important differences in the order of operations in building a gun from a slab verses from a precarved stock. BJH

 

[Sidney Smith]

I second Dixon's book. I've used it on all three builds I've done so far. The pictures are cartoonish but get the point across well enough. If you use the book you can get a gun assembled.

I have not found assembling a kit gun to be too terribly difficult but you do need steady hands, a little wood working and mechanical skills and some tools to obtain a functional firearm.

Now for a first build I would not concern myself with nor listen to those who harp on historical and period correctness. Those two criteria IMO. have no place in a first timers workshop. You will have enough on your plate just getting everything working. If you fret about how your first gun is going to pass muster with some purist then you should take up gardening instead. Now I'm not saying your final result should look like a Zimbawe Zip gun. You should strive for a safe functional firearm but don't concern yourself with too much of the HC/PC aesthetics for now.

 

[Kansas Kid]

I just started a L/H late Lancaster parts set from Pecatonica River. I did have them cut it for the butt plate. So far I’m really impressed with stock. It’s the best of the 5 or 6 parts sets I’ve done. Lots of left hand options with Pecatonica River.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Listen to BJ. He knows about what he is writing.

dave

 

[flntlokr]

Guys I’m getting interested in building a kit rifle. Unfortunately, being a lefty, I just have to have a left handed rifle. Anyways, I’ve been looking at TOTW’s kits and the mile long build list looks rather daunting. I have to ask, have any of you built one of their kits? And how much skill must one possess to not totally screw it up?

I have built many. Take your time, and dont work on it to meet some imaginary schedule. You have to be able to concentrate completely on the task at hand, one little bit at a time. If you need to, find someone to help you with the bits you cant handle. I have rescued more than one assembly job for folks who got in far over their heads by hurrying, and refusing to admit they couldnt handle the job. Most experienced hobby builders are only too happy to lend a hand and share their expertise if you ask.

 

[Vaino]

Yrs ago I sold 4 LRs through TOW's consignment sales in order to gain some exposure and it did the trick. Anyways, I was talking w/ Dave Kipplinger the owner of TOW about selling one of my LRs and in walks a guy w/ a completed TOW parts set LR, he interrupted us and wanted to know what it was worth.

Dave hemmed and hawed after looking at the LR because he didn't want to answer the builder's question....but the builder was persistent and finally Dave gave him a figure that was less than the price of the parts set. The builder became angry and walked out of the store.

Before we resumed talking about my LR, Dave said that if the builder had spent 15-30 mins more on many of the tasks, the price would have been higher. He said the LR reeked w/ impatience . ......Fred

 

[billraby]

This is the first in a series of videos building a Track of the Wolf kit.