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[bioprof]

After building 3 rifles from precarved stocks, I'm taking the plunge and trying to build a pistol from a blank. I'm cheating a little, because I had the barrel channel inlet and the ramrod hole drilled by Vernon Davis. It sure looks like a nice piece of wood. Tight even curl the whole length of the stock. The barrel is a .45 cal. Rayl and the lock is a small Siler. I hope I'm not getting in over my head.

Here's a picture of the parts:

 

[Tinker2]

Very nice looking piece of wood. I look forward to seeing
your progress.

From whom did the wood come?

Tinker2

 

[Erzulis boat]

It looks good already!

I do have one bit of warning though, the bend of the tang will make or break the overall look and feel by a huge degree when it comes to pistols of that particular shape.

I built one with the tang continuing along the top barrel flat (flush/parallel) for about 1/2", then the curve downward. Big mistake.

It stretched the pistol out too much, not only did it not balance or look right, the shooters hand obscured the sights unless a funky hold was implemented.

The solution was to start the curve of the tang just past the end of the barrel. Huge difference.

With a pistol build, the curve of the tang plays a super important role in the shape and balance.

Basically, my mistake was to have the barrel and lock too far forward by about 1/2".

Something to consider, I hope this helps. :thumbsup:

 

[bioprof]

Erzulis,

Thanks for the heads up on the tang bending. I was wondering about that already.

I bought the blank from Vernon Davis. It was $40 plus $10 for inlettng the barrel and drilling the ramrod. Probably the best $10 I have ever spent. I was lucky I got it though. He sent it to the wrong address and left it up to me to retrieve it. It had a happy ending though.

 

[Zonie]

You can do it.

I built my first pistol with about the same amount of experiance that you have and there was nothing envolved that I didn't expect and hadn't dealt with before (except I inletted the barrel and drilled the ramrod hole).

My only suggestion is be prepared to draw the locations of the lock and trigger several times to get them in the right place at the right angle.

That is a very nice piece of wood you got.
When I built my Target pistol I asked Vern if he had any wood, and at that time he said he didn't and he didn't expect to get any.
To your good fortune, it looks like he not only changed his mind, but bought some of the really good stuff.

Have Fun!
Zonie