How many muzzleloaders have you built

[Gopher0]

three but proud of them

 

[DementedMindOfJac]

I’ve built 7 scratch guns and about 4or 5 of those poorly machine inletted “kit” guns…sometimes I re-examine my first scratch build, and swear I’m gonna redo it right on a gorgeous unique curly maple stock I bought dirt cheap…but my first gun is a symphony of mistakes and “don’ts” that has had great influence on every gun that followed it…it’s pretty pathetic, overweight, chunky but it does shoot well.

Y'know, if S&W or Colt does that, the gun immediately becomes a priceless one-off collectible. I don't think you are marketing yourself to your full potential.

 

[yellowhammer]

You guys wouldn't believe how hard that wood was.

Now where do we go from here, ma'am?

I nominate the above for mlf post & reply of the year!

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

I put my first CVA pistol kit together in the early 80s, then did some kind of Kentucky rifle kit, then a TC flintlock rifle kit probably a Renegade, then another CVA pistol and an Uberti .53 cal Sante Fe Hawken kit. I stopped for years then I got bit by the Flintlock bug four years ago after joining the NMLRA and going to nationals. I did a Kibler SMR, redid a CVA pistol, then built a Chambers PA Fowler kit.

I'm currently building my first build from a blank based on an Albrecht. I have another Chambers PA Fowler to do for a friend and a Pecatonica boys size flintlock rifle for my son up next. After that I have parts for two scratch builds.

 

[Jamie Hurley]

I'm currently building my first build from a blank based on an Albrecht.

I'd love to see a build thread on this project.

It was your PA Fowler thread that got me to go that route, and after I finish that and a Chambers Early York kit for my dad, I'd like to jump into a scratch build as well.

 

[bassncrap]

Currently slowly piecing together a CVA Mountain Rifle .45. Have the stock, tang, and barrel so far. Going dark stock with german silver hardware is my plan.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

I'd love to see a build thread on this project.

It was your PA Fowler thread that got me to go that route, and after I finish that and a Chambers Early York kit for my dad, I'd like to jump into a scratch build as well.

Well here ya go. I hope you enjoy it and pick up a few tips.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/moravian-inspired-build.147104/

 

[Commodore Swab]

All the flintlocks, doglocks, wheellocks, snaphaunces, miquelets, started from a block of wood and barrels as a plain billet, but the locks for the most part started as rough castings so I can't say I "built" any as someone else originally made the lock or copied lock parts. I can say I have made a half dozen golf ball mortars as I made the master pattern then poured the bronze ect. Of course considering I scaled down an original is it still one I made?

Is assembling someone else kit building a gun?
Is copying an original building a gun or just reproducing another's?

 

[waksupi]

Looking at my records, I have built 193 muzzle loaders, 267 cartridge rifles, and worked on a team to make 5500 AK 47's US compliant.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Big into "center fire" but got the Muzzleloader but maybe 10+ years ago. Met a Guy at the range and after a while, discovered he was a "brother from another mother". He and I got into Muzzleloading with the purchase of a couple o FIE's that I got at auction. Turned out they were from one of the members here.
Found a MZ for sale that was a kit, put together, fired, put away and not cleaned. Learned what would work and what wouldn't. Swapped a few barrels, learned about the "electrolysis" thang.
Picked up a "kit" (collection of parts) from one of the members here, stated the build but in a short time, I burned myself out. "Kit" got put aside and parts went into hiding for close to a year. Parts finally came out of hiding so I figured I'd better find a builder or it (the kit) would NEVER get finished. Found a builder. shipped the partial built kit and some $$$ off to him for him to do his magic, Kept sending him $$$$ till he hollered Uncle!!
Got the BUILT Flintlock Fowler back in AAAA++++condition!! Beautiful build job!!
Figured I would never shoot it so found a buyer. Buyer loved it but had to hide it to sneak it into the house without his girlfriend seeing it.
So, no real from "start to finish builds", just a few parts swap to get it right but it's the thought that counts.
Did throw together a pistol kit for one of the guys at work. He got it as a B Day gift and after a time, figured he better get someone to put it together for him or it would be just another box of "stuff".

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I'm just a lowly gunstocker

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Is assembling someone else kit building a gun?
Is copying an original building a gun or just reproducing another's?

Definition of the word "Build""
"construct (something) by putting parts or material together"

I'm just a lowly gunstocker

So you didn't mine the iron, forge the barrels and locks for those 400 guns you assembled?

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Definition of the word "Build""
"construct (something) by putting parts or material together"



So you didn't mine the iron, forge the barrels and locks for those 400 guns you assembled?

Can't make any money making all the parts yourself.

 

[Jamie Hurley]

Can't make any money making all the parts yourself.

I'd bet they had a similar line of thinking back in the golden era too.

 

[Dale Lilly]

From scratch - 0, from kits, quien sabe? Maybe 11 or 12. Still working on a kit - very slowly. Polecat

 

[Kmcmichael]

5

 

[pilot]

One, a T/C Hawken flinter I put together some 30 years ago. Still use it. I replaced the lock with one I bought from a member here. Can't remember the lock maker, maybe Siler. Shot it with my grandson Wednesday.