First Build - Yet another question

[Robbo]

Gentlemen

I have read all the posts about gun building on this site and have gotten hold of a couple of books. Mike Brooks' article on this site is also excellent so armed with all of that, I am now motivated to have a crack at a build myself - possibly a TOTW kit it I can ever figure out how to import it all to Australia.

Just one question though. Some kits and or styles of rifle (eh the half stock Hawken) are said to be harder to build than others.

For someone who is reasonable handy with wood but pretty useless with metalwork, which kit or style would be a good place to start?

Thanks in advance

Robbo

 

[Mike Brooks]

N.W. trade gun

 

[J.D.]

Most kit guns aren't all that difficult, no matter which one you buy. However, some are better than others.

Chamber's, Cabin Creek, Tip Curtis, Early Rustic, Dunlap, or Muzzle loaders Builders Supply all supply quality component kits in various stages of completion.

I would suggest buying or renting a DVD on Building the Chambers Kit Rifle. Its less expensive to rent the DVD set to see if this is something you want to do.
[url] http://smartflix.com/store/category/75/Kits-Scratchbuilt[/url]

Scroll down to Building the Jim Chambers kit rifles.

 

[Birddog6]

I suggest a Lancaster rifle with a swamped barrel, no frills & no carvings, just a basic rifle with a C weight barrel in .54 cal that is 38" to 42" long & use a Chambers flintlock in it.
:thumbsup:

 

[nchawkeye]

If you are ok with wood, go for it....I built my first 20 some years ago, and all I had done was the barrel channel and ramrod hole...Just take your time, it took me 2 years to finish, about 200 hours or so...

 

[Goldhunter]

That's exactly what I'm doing right now for my first "non production gun" ie first non TC or Lyman. In fact I think it was Birddog that told me concentrate on the rifle's form and not all the fancy stuff, or something like that.

 

[flintlockmdj]

agreed.

 

[Stophel]

Me too. Trade gun. It would be a good "relatively" inexpensive learning experience. The kits have most of the work done. The triggerguard and sideplate are not inlet, which gives you the option later on to put on a "proper" T.G. and sideplate, if you wish. :winking:

 

[Don B]

What is it about a trade gun build that makes it a good learner project?

Don

 

[Stophel]

Just the simplicity of it. Non-inlet sideplate and triggerguard, no triggerplate, no nosecap, flat, easy-to-inlet buttplate, etc.

Of course, you could do any type of gun of this "grade level" the same way. You could build yourself a "barn gun" out of any of the kits and have about the same type of building experience.