maybe 1st time builder?

[adirondackhick]

Hey all,
Ok, I am thinking about building a rifle. My 1st build. I am a lefty, so factory options are limited. Wanting a full stock flint .54. I was surfing the net and found Pecatonica River supply co.They seem to be pretty squared away. I was looking at the full stock hawken.
#1. I am reasonably handy. Reasonably patient and prepared for the work involved to make it nice.
#2. I would have all "smithing" work done by them.
#3. Which would leave me some work / all finishing, fitting.
#4. Has anyone dealt with them?
What would all your thoughts be on taking it on or not.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[Vaino]

A few yrs back I built a RH Pecatonica "Hawken" and the original wood was a #3 but the lock inlet was mislocated so I drove down to their shop and left w/ a beautiful, curly #5{top grade}. Has been my elk rifle for many yrs and soon will be my son's. Excellent company to deal w/ and all quality components. A more authentic "Hawken" in LH can be bought from Don Stith and this one was built 4 yrs ago...Fred

 

[adirondackhick]

Thanks for the response. Sounds like they are good with customer service and trying to take care of people. Thanks Fred. :hatsoff:
Andy

 

[Zonie]

I've built over 13 Pecatonica River guns and I'll say that they are an excellent company to work with.

Dick Greensides (the owner) knows his guns and generally supplies excellent wood and hardware.

A Hawken is one of the more difficult guns to build so be forewarned and take your time.

The stock supplied by any of the suppliers will have a LOT of wood that will need to be removed.
Don't just fit the parts in place and sand the wood. Look at the originals.

Do the research reading as much as you can about these rifles and looking at the photos of them.
Little things that are usually overlooked on many rifles are very important when building a Hawken.

 

[Little Wattsy]

I litterally just got my full-stock Hawken kit from Pecitonica yesterday. Same as you say, all work done that they could do.

This is a second stock from them and their wood, prices, and customer service are OUTSTANDING!

I would HIGHLY recomend them!! :thumbsup:

 

[AZ Muzzle]

Andy,

Hello!

I am also a lefty and have built a Pecatonica River Virginia style percussion “lefty” long rifle. I will look to see if I have any photos because I sold the gun awhile back. She was a 50 cal.

I have built several of their rifles the last few years. If you have basic skills and a love of learning, this is a good choice.

Most of my orders have arrived within a few weeks. They are good people to deal with and very helpful.

Let us know what direction you decide to go and share some pictures of your build. I know I need to start taking photos of the build process to share and also get good critiques from the talent of the members on the forum.

Mark B

 

[adirondackhick]

Thanks everyone!
I will be going through with them after all the positive feedback about the company.
I plan on getting the book they offer with the kits as well as some other reading material. Will def. do the photo thing. Probably won't be able to start until later this summer / early fall. $$. Thought about the verner / tennessee, but for some reason like the look of the fullstock hawken a little bit more. Hopefully it won't be too much to chew on, but I guess taking the bite is half the fun / agg. of life.
Thanks everyone :hatsoff:

 

[Birddog6]

I wouldn't recommend a Hawken for a first build. I suggest a Lancaster or a Southern or a Tenn. rifle. IMHO, a Hawken is too big a bite to start on. :hmm:

Keith Lisle

 

[Zonie]

Another good choice in my opinion would be the Lyman fullstock or half-stock rifle.
LEMAN FULL STOCK
LEMAN HALF STOCK

Either one would have been used in the same time period as the Hawken and they are not as much work as the Hawken.

Because they both use the simple side drum ignition in their percussion form, they can just as easily be built as a flintlock.

Admittedly they aren't a HAWKEN so the 'bragging rights' aren't there and it's possible that someone who doesn't know LEMANS firearms history might think you are saying you built a LYMAN but they are very nice rifles and would IMO be period and historically correct for any rendezvous that represented the 1830-1840 period.

 

[adirondackhick]

Well,
I guess I have a bit to think on.. The look of the Tennessee Classic I thought was a pretty rifle, but they only have it in .45 and .50 13/16 / 7/8. I guess I could build it and if it comes out well in .50, I would have another excuse to ask the "boss" I mean wife to get another...... :shake: Was doing a little reading and the general concensus is a hawken is tough for a first. Thanks everyone

 

[Zonie]

The Leman comes with a 15/16 octagon X 36" long octagon barrel which is available in .32, .36, .40, .45, .50 and .54 caliber.

The .54 caliber, 15/16" X 36" barrel only weighs 4.93 pounds so it will make a easy to carry gun that will speak with authority.

 

[adirondackhick]

:hmm: The leman does look nice, but I read that they only inlet for the parts that they subscribe to the rifle(percussion lock), I really have the heart set on flint'n it. I guess I could try to switch it but........
I am prepared to shave and shape some things with them smithing the rest, but do not know if I would be ready to completely gut out the lock area myself for a change of lock, which is why I kind of started looking at that Tn rifle. Besides, if I do the Tn rifle and it comes out nice, the "boss" = "wife" will acquire it..... Leaving me the go ahead afterwards for a hawken.......... :grin: Who says I can't think......
Knowing me , I'll prob. change my mind three times before I finally decide. Thanks again everyone for all the input and help. I will probably end up shootin' another line in here when I end up getting it delivered. Hopefully aug-sept. I'm sure I'll have a TON of questions when I get going on it.
Andy

 

[Birddog6]

This stock came from Pecatonica. Had the barrel inlet cut & the butt rough shaped. Not everyone's cup of tea, but it made me a nice lil rifle. I put a .50 cal Getz 13/16" barrel in it & it weighs 7#. This has a modified Ketland flintlock in it.

Keith Lisle

 

[TARL01]

Keith, that has to be one of the most beautiful weapons I have ever seen. :bow:
Woody

 

[Birddog6]

:hmm: I really have the heart set on flint'n it. I guess I could try to switch it but........
Andy

Andy, if you want it to be a flinter, then build it a flinter. Heck that is part of what it is all about......... building it the way You want it ! :idunno: Go for it ! :thumbsup:

Call Dick over at Pecatonica & tell him what you are wanting to do & the lock you want to use & etc. I have not bought much from them as I usually do my own stocks, but I couldn't let this one go. But I am told by many people they are most accommodating there & I feel quite comfortable they will set it up the way you want it.

One thing I do suggest tho, buy a builders book & study it first. I suggest "the Gunsmiths of Grenville County".
Also if you have not, I suggest you go over & over the Tutorial done on this site by Mike Brooks & get the scope of it all. Mike is a good & experienced builder he has built allot of rifles, & he will tell ya the straight scoop on all of it...

:thumbsup:

Thanks Woody, I appreciate it.

 

[adirondackhick]

WOW that weapon is beautifull!! I do enjoy percussion. But, with wanting to "build a rifle" I will be going with a flint. I was meaning switch (change) out the locks in the aforementioned rifle in the last post o nthe leman, but I don't think it would be correct. Which brought me back to the Tn. classic.
After all the reading on a hawken being a tough first build, I'll more than likely go with that Tn classic in .50. I will be calling them sometime soon. Next rifle I'll build the .54.... There always a next...... :hatsoff: to all.

 

[Zonie]

Your comment about the basic parts for the Leman is true. They say they offer it only in Percussion but interestingly enough in their description of the Leman rifles they say,
"Leman's trade rifles had a relatively short stock and they were built with both percussion and flint locks - although flint Lemans seem more common...."

I was just measuring the lock pictures in the TOTW catalog and the Leman Percussion lock and the Manton & Ashmore flint lock are Very close to having the same dimensions.
I am NOT saying that you could substitute one lock for the other without doing a lot of extra work but Dick MIGHT be willing to inlet the Leman stock for the Manton Flintlock.
The only way to know is to call him and ask if he could do this.

I've worked with Dick on several similar situations and although his catalog doesn't say he offers special things like this he often will do some special work for a customer, sometimes at no extra cost.
Of course the lock will cost more because Flintlocks always cost more than a Percussion lock but your going to be faced with that anyway.

Give him a call at 815-968-1995

 

[AZ Muzzle]

Keith,

The wood is beautiful and the metal finish is awesome. She’s a keeper, well done! :bow:

Mark B

 

[RICHW]

Not everyone's cup of tea

How could that be.

 

[THOM]

Keith; can I have it just to make sure it works right ? :rotf: :rotf: Might take me a couple of years to figure it out!!! :rotf: :thumbsup: :hatsoff: Thom


Adhick :
Videos help a lot if you are not close to a builder .. builds confidence, and teaches how to do it .
The late Ron Ehlert - a Jim Chambers Kit .. http://www.blackpowdermag.com/featured-articles/ron-ehlert-his-legacy.php

Also Herschel House has a good video out - American Pioneer Videos - check him out on You Tube ..
Plus the books mentioned..

Hope this helps--
Thom - N. Y. State - Land o' Taxes :shake: :shake: