Filler for oversized trigger guard inlet

[awreis]

I am replacing the trigger guard on my rifle. The new one is about 3/4 inch shorter than the old one. I was going to glue a piece of wood into the inlet to but didn't know if there was another option some knows of that would look good? My other thought was possible a short piece of brass.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

Epoxy

 

[oldwood]

Looks like the stock wood on your gun is walnut , or some other dark stained wood. Fix #1 would be brown stained epoxie to glue a piece of walnut to fill the cavity , then a little dark stain and finish. Fix #2 would splice a piece of brass the same thickness as the tail of the original trigger guard. A filler splice uses a thin backer plate soldered under the tail of the original guard , then clamp and solder the new brass onto the top of the backer plate. Careful joining of the splice , will be almost invisible. Trim , shape and inlet the new tail , and done. I've used both of these methods on restorations of originals many times w/success. Epoxie stain can be accessed from Brownells , and some woodworking stores. Doesn't take much stain to match the color of any wood , just a touch on the tip of a screwdriver blade.

 

[wiscoaster]

Another piece of wood would be too obvious. And impossible to seamlessly blend in both grain-wise and color-wise. Color-matched epoxy is one alternative, though not that easy to match so it's seamless. Brass is also not a bad idea if you can make it look intentionally decorative. My mantra is: if you can't hide it, make it lood good and make it stand out like it's intentional. I'd go with the brass, and put a little engraving of a pineapple on it.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Epoxy always looks like epoxy and a cheap attempt at repair. Another piece of wood that is a close match looks like a more professional repair. I've seen both and the wood looks much better.

 

[awreis]

I like the idea of a decorative brass piece. May have to give it a try. This is a cheap Jukar flintlock. It's my first one so it's kind of a practice rifle until I can get a Kibler one day.

 

[James Kibler]

Best option is to extend guard by silver brazing piece on guard. File to shape afterwards. Done well, you'll not even see the addition.

 

[wiscoaster]

Best option is to extend guard by silver brazing piece on guard. File to shape afterwards. Done well, you'll not even see the addition.

Yes, if a person has expertise and tools to do that. Not all kit builders do. Jim, honestly, often times I think your advice doesn't adequately take into account the differing levels of ability to execute the remedies you recommend. In this case, based on the questions asked by the OP, I think one has to assume some "beginner" level, and I don't think you did that in your response. The best method per your expertise and experience may not be best suited as best remedy for the beginner-level remedy to be applied to the OP's problem in need of remediation.

While the advice of the master builders present on the forum may be recognized and accepted as the best advice for addressing a given problem, it's been my observation that the best advice is not always the most suitable advice, if it's not advice the novice builder can execute, then it's not particularly helpful in being useful advice for that builder.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

It does give us amateurs something to strive for and think about though.

 

[CuNosecap]

Soldering or brazing brass are the easiest and most basic of metal working skills. This is a good entry point and can easily be formed to fit the defect. I would do this before attempting a wood match.