No muzzleloading experience, build one anyway?

[cdg]

Hello everybody. I know that it generally isn't recommended to build your first muzzleloader, but this one looks fairly easy to handle:
[url] http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=996[/url]

So first of all, do you think as I do that this kit looks pretty simple to assemble? I know it's just a derringer, but it looks pretty interesting, and might be something that I could learn how to load a muzzleloading firearm with. Obviously not going to be very accurate, and I believe it will be smoothe bore. However it is a novelty...

Second, how about finishing? I've never refinished/finished a firearm. Obviously the grips are small, but they need to be stained. How do you go about doing this? I do a lot of woodworking on my own, so I have a lot of different supplies already that could be used. I've always loved hand rubbed oil finishes- I have a good supply of danish and teak oil, and a few other good looking medium/dark finishes.

The link says that gun is left in the white- does that mean it shouldn't be blued, or can't be blued? If you have a kit that requires, can you blue a gun at home, or is it a job strictly for professionals?

As a side note, I have also been looking at these two kits as well:
[url] http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=866[/url]

and
[url] http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=867[/url]

Basically I'm looking for an inexpensive noise maker that I can shoot a little at close ranges, and for an interesting mechanical project. I love derringers and pepperboxes, and I don't have a lot of secure space to store any more firearms (the new shotgun took up the last slot in the main safe, so I'm stuck with a small in ground pistol safe).

I should say that I am going off to college in less then 2 weeks, so I won't be doing anything with these links for a few months. I get a month off around Christmas, so I thought I might order a little in advance so I can have something to work on when I get home... This is not something I am going to rush into in any case.

Your thoughts and advice are appreciated!

 

[Norskie]

A pistol is what is usually recommended as a first project, anyway, so you're on the right track.
You can search most of your questions on this forum and get lost in all the answers, but briefly:
Stains; water based stains get a lot of votes around here. They will raise the grain on some woods but that can be burnished down. Alcohol stains are right up there, too, and do not seem to raise the grain, at least in my experience. Oil stains often interfere with oil finishes.

Oil finishes: Use what you like, someone here will advise against most finishes, but hey! It's your gun.
A gun in the white is ready to go any direction you want to take it. They ain't no sposed to about it. You can blue or brown it yourself with any of the fine products available.

Spend some time on this site and you'll learn the ins and outs before you buy a kit.
Have fun! :grin:

 

[subknave]

Nothing wrong with building your first one in my opinion. When I started building guns my first was an AK-47 from a parts kit. I had to remove the receiver stub etc. and I had never owned an AK before. I still have it and it turned out great. All those kits look pretty good but, are you planning on going with the cap and ball type or the more traditional flintlock and percussion guns? If the more traditional I would go with the derringer if C&B I would go with the pepperbox. You also might consider a kentucky pistol or similar kit if you want a feel for the barrel fitting and inletting the lock etc. for the more traditional types. My first was a traditions pistol kit and it taught me a lot, especially about not to rush things.

 

[AeroncaTAL]

I know that it generally isn't recommended to build your first muzzleloader

Uh oh...I'm in trouble
I don't see why you shouldn't put together your first muzzleloader, that is exactly what I am doing. I am taking my time, not rushing into anything, doing a lot of research (this group is a great place to learn) and basically having a good time with it. I am of the opinion that a person can do just about anything if they just put their mind to it and try. (On a side note, I just finished recovering the rudder on my antique airplane. Never done it before, learned a lot by doing). I am working on a Lyman GPR, 54 cal., and also an old 45 cal. Kentucky pistol kit that has been lying around since forever. So, go for it, get what kit you want to start with and have fun!
Scott

 

[Zonie]

Given the choice, I would go with the Pedersoli kit.

I can only speak of the pepperbox from first hand experiance.
In my opinion, it's not really worth the price of the postage. (I hate to be harsh, but IMO, this one deserves it.)

As for building a pistol as a first project, I think it is an excellent idea. The first gun I ever built was a CVA Derringer and at the time, they were very inexpensive.
It did give me the bug for bigger and better things though so be warned.
After finishing it, you will be looking around for another one to build. (When that time comes, I recommend the Pedersoli Kentucky Pistol in either Flint or Percussion, or the Pedersoli Queen Anne in Flint. Both make nice pistols.)

Zonie

 

[cdg]

Awesome people- gives me some confidence to know others have built their first muzzleloaders.

Well, I'm not much one for caring about historical accuracy. I like the derringer I linked above because it is a Pedersoli (they're supposed to have a good rep), and it's .41 caliber. I guess it's stupid for something I'll not shoot a lot, but I tend to like the idea of a larger caliber.

On the other hand, I've always had a facination with the pepperbox since I was a little boy and saw my first 4 barrel pepperbox in .32 rimfire. I guess I was about 12 or 13 when I saw that gun... Anyway muzzleloader is kinda handy though because they don't stop making ammo for them! :grin: Good luck with .32 rimfire eh?

On the third hand, the duckfoot is really interesting, and if I'm not going to shoot it much anyway, it could be pretty cool. I'm just not sure it will be fun to shoot as I believe a derringer might be. I mean at 5 yards trying to plink a cofee can with the smoothebore derringer or pepperbox might be a fun challenge. Can anybody comment if you can actually accurately aim a duck's foot like the one linked above?

Anyway I'll keep doing some research and thinking about what exactly I want. I definately considered a kentucky pistol, but I have a thing for derringers that I still haven't gotten out of my system.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Go for what you desire, would not worry much about accuracy, derringers were short range, up close and personal (read as arms length) defense/offense weapons.

Just because some kits are priced cheap, doesn't mean they are cheap. I once picked up a nipple pistol kit TOW had on sale for a little over a hundred bucks, was amazed at the quality. It practically fell together with very little work, gave it to the daughter. Son-in-law worked up a load that gives consistent MO beer can accuracy (for him) at 50 yards.

Here are pics of it after finished.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

This is more to my liking
[url] http://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/kentuckypistolsets.html[/url]

 

[shmrck1]

CDG,
Most or all kits sold by DGW will give a rating on the difficulty in putting them together.
Be guided by that information.BTW DGW catalog is
a treasure of information,and well worth the price.IMO
snake-eyes :hatsoff:

 

[Metalshaper]

This is more to my liking
[url] http://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/kentuckypistolsets.html[/quote][/url]


Been fortunate enough to get to know Turpin.. I was invited to go see these in person, just as he was finished with the final editing of the Pistol Building tape these were made for.. I can tell you for sure,, they are even prettier in person!!

Jim sure can Get-R Done!! :applause:

Respect Always
Metalshaper

 

[cdg]

Well I have always liked the Kentucky pistol myself, so I'm not opposed to building one. However, I was thinking that I would build a precussion derringer of some sort first, and then for a second project do a flintlock kentucky pistol. But who knows- I have some time to think this over.