My first rifle Kit

[oldarmy]

I have finished my first kit.

What a project this has turned out to be. They are alot of work..... I lost track of how many hours I spent on it.
I don't dare post pictures of it, It's rough and unrefined, the misstakes are plain and noticable to my eys,but it is just the first one and I am going to shoot it this weekend!!!
I have a few comments on the project.
I thought the kit was worth the money and TOTW was very helpfull. I had them do the basic gunsmithing,ie cut the dovetails and install the breachplug. I will do my own next time.
When I broke the frizzen and was going to spend too much just to buy a new lock they talked me out of it and suggested I call L&R.
L&R Was also easy to do business with. :RO:
I just had to get the first one done -FAST- and learned alot from it,
I started out with what I thought were good basic wood working skills and quickly learned that I NEED ALOT MORE PRACTICE.
Also
I don't think I could have done this without the help of someone that has build many of these
Thanks schimmelsmith!!! :thanks: : :thanks:
It is so important to be able to talk to someone that has hands on experiance..
Any way now I am hooked and already planning my next one. As soon as I get some scratch.
The next one will be a better rifle, but I will always treasure this one, with all it's warts and faults.
I scraped it down at least 4 times getting it right
Now it is finished.
Where I shoot, flintlocks are not that common and they always attract couriosity, so I when asked I can say
"I BUILT THIS ONE"
I like that

 

[benvenuto]

congratulations!!! :thumbsup:
thanks for keeping the thread going, valuable reading for those who want to do the same thing one day

 

[Geoff Jones]

I have finished my first kit.

What a project this has turned out to be.

Yes, and what a great job you have done. It is safe to say, that we have another dedicated builder amoung us.

It really doesn't matter how that first gun turns out...does it? It really is a learning experience, and every attempt we make in the future will result in a better project. I feel privileged that Old Army chose me to be his mentor on this first build. It really is a pleasure to work with someone who is as enthusiastic and dedicated to improving his skills and doing a great job.

I haven't seen the finished product yet...but I'm damn proud of a job well done........ :m2c:

 

[MikeChapin]

The first one always holds a special place. Who cares what it looks like as long as it shoots.

My first one was/is a .36 flinter built around a 42" Sharon barrel and cheap Dixie lock, with german silver furnature and a plain maple stock built about 25 years ago. I did find that is is not a good thing to skimp on the lock. It now has the third lock in it, a Cocheran. Since then it has won a lot of plunder for me.

Right now it is back on the bench. About fifteen years ago I had it on the bench putting a patchbox on it and replacing the touch hole liner. Most of the rest of my rifles were destroyed in a motorhome fire so I replaced the touch hole, sealed the wood and used a leather cover to hide the unfinished work on the butt.

I now have the patchbox in and am in the process of refinishing the gun and fixing some stock boo-boos I made out of ignorance way back then. If all comes out good I will have to christen her Phoenix.

 

[oldarmy]

I showed it to a good friend and he noticed the finish.
his comments were in order
"looks like you skimped on the sandpaper"
" did you have to install all those parts by hand"
"it's nice and light, I could hunt with this"
The last comment was a big commpliment to me.
He commonly refers to any thing that isn't an ultra modern inline as "junk"
anyway today is the first day I make smoke with it, I sure hope it works.
thanks for all your help