Finishedish woodsrunner

[rbeave]

Thanks, I'm just starting my first SMR kit as of yesterday. So far, I took about 90 min (of on/off effort) to get the barrel and trigger inletting just right. I'm hoping the (barrel and pipe) pins don't give me trouble. To be honest, free drilling for these are the one thing that keeps me awake. The video's help but it still takes a leap of faith in the end, right? I figure if I have issues with the sight dovetails, I'll focus on filing the sights vs the barrel. I notice they sell replacement sights pretty cheap so I'm not likely going to be the first to mess one up. Lots of fun already though.

I have the lights running this evening but my lighting still isn't the best I've seen for pictures. Here's the 2nd attempt on my woodsrunner just finishing up. Also the rear sight I dovetailed in( .227" of steel left under dovetail) It's basic maple stock selection with one coat iron nitrate. Couldn't find my heat gun since I moved so I activated it over open flame and got a little charr in there... which I don't mind for some reason.. sealed with kibler sealer/finish.. pin holes came out substantially better. Took more time on metal finishing the trigger gaurd and buttplate before the same blue treatment. Still fought that trigger gaurd a little.. lock has color just from use since march/April this year and one wet deer season. Barrel is still the same blue done when I got the rifle which has turned more Grey over time and weather. Not perfect by any means but I'm happy with it

 

[RocketMan58]

I have the lights running this evening but my lighting still isn't the best I've seen for pictures. Here's the 2nd attempt on my woodsrunner just finishing up. Also the rear sight I dovetailed in( .227" of steel left under dovetail) It's basic maple stock selection with one coat iron nitrate. Couldn't find my heat gun since I moved so I activated it over open flame and got a little charr in there... which I don't mind for some reason.. sealed with kibler sealer/finish.. pin holes came out substantially better. Took more time on metal finishing the trigger gaurd and buttplate before the same blue treatment. Still fought that trigger gaurd a little.. lock has color just from use since march/April this year and one wet deer season. Barrel is still the same blue done when I got the rifle which has turned more Grey over time and weather. Not perfect by any means but I'm happy with it

I find the pitfalls of doing anything myself is that I will spot mistakes/imperfections where others will not. My eyes will also be drawn to those imperfections every time I view my work. I don't care if I'm building a rifle, painting a wall or even constructing a chicken coop. When I make a mistake, I can't unsee it. I guess I'm my own toughest critic.
IMO, That's a really nice looking rifle to be proud of. I hope you proudly enjoy the hell out of it for decades to come.

 

[Gary Kirk]

I feel your pain brother

 

[rbeave]

I find the pitfalls of doing anything myself is that I will spot mistakes/imperfections where others will not. My eyes will also be drawn to those imperfections every time I view my work. I don't care if I'm building a rifle, painting a wall or even constructing a chicken coop. When I make a mistake, I can't unsee it. I guess I'm my own toughest critic.
IMO, That's a really nice looking rifle to be proud of. I hope you proudly enjoy the hell out of it for decades to come.

Surely will!

I find the pitfalls of doing anything myself is that I will spot mistakes/imperfections where others will not. My eyes will also be drawn to those imperfections every time I view my work. I don't care if I'm building a rifle, painting a wall or even constructing a chicken coop. When I make a mistake, I can't unsee it. I guess I'm my own toughest critic.
IMO, That's a really nice looking rifle to be proud of. I hope you proudly enjoy the hell out of it for decades to come.

I

I find the pitfalls of doing anything myself is that I will spot mistakes/imperfections where others will not. My eyes will also be drawn to those imperfections every time I view my work. I don't care if I'm building a rifle, painting a wall or even constructing a chicken coop. When I make a mistake, I can't unsee it. I guess I'm my own toughest critic.
IMO, That's a really nice looking rifle to be proud of. I hope you proudly enjoy the hell out of it for decades to come.

I think as time goes on those little mistakes on your rifle make it even more yours.. patina is supposed to be there. Sometimes it's there a little early but in time I think those nicks and dings.. little imperfections bond with you if that makes sense. I have an unmentionable 20g I've inherited that shows 45 years of riding around in the truck after grouse and carried chasing rabbits with dogs. Checkering is literally worn off along with all blueing and a cracked forend. I might replace the springs and glue the crack but I won't erase all those memories even if they were from neglect and accidents