NW Trade gun kits

[Bountyhunter]

Does anyone here have a NW Trade Gun from North Star West? I have built rifles from Track and others kits, but havent seen a NSW kit.

NSW advertizes that they assemble their own locks. Others use Chambers and others locks. I am curious about the quality of the NSW locks since all the jabber seems to lean towards the Chambers. Pricewise, the NSW is slightly less than a Chambers kit, but about the same price as Tracks.

Although, I prefer the percussion Hawken style, I'm being tempted to build a trade gun, as I can use it in this area for rondys as they distinctly lean towards the fur trade era, and the NW gun would have been somewhat common around Bents Fort in the 1830's.

Gracias, amigos

Bill

 

[chuckpa]

I built a NSW Trade Gun and I love it, it opened up a whole new area of shooting to me. I liked it so much that I'm now building the 1750 English trade gun from NSW.

 

[Bountyhunter]

I'm leaning towards a Chiefs Gun, as they indicate that it was originally produced in left hand and that is what I need. Do you find the NSW lock to be a good lock?

Did you encounter any traps in building the rifle or did it pretty much go together straight away? I'm not against some work, I just am not fond of surprises.

Thanks

Bill

 

[atki]

I did not build one of their kits, but I have one of their trade guns. The lock is great. I only get misfires when I forget to keep my flint sharp. I have fired several hundred rounds and never had a problem with the lock.

WB

 

I have had several Nothwest guns over the years from North Star and now North Star West. They are accurate in every detail to the originals and have pretty good locks. The kit they sell will make a gun that will look and feel like the old original "London" fusil. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Both thumbs up on their gun. :winking:

 

[Goldhunter]

where is the best place to buy their kits?

 

[Goldhunter]

never mind, found it. [url] http://www.northstarwest.com[/url]

 

[Goldhunter]

What Gauges are you guys shooting in these guns. I am not familiar with these, or anyother smooth bores for that matter. But am intriged and am thinking I need to buy one (just can't get enough of BP shooting)

 

[Bountyhunter]

Well, its like eatin scrambled eggs aint it? Aint no use of dirtying your mouth for less than a half a dozen.

I dont shoot squirrels or paper. My guns are all about killin. I am all about instant humane kill. I am talking to these guys about the 20 ga and may go to the 16. If I want anything smaller, I already have a rack full of .54's.

So, for using the gun for big game which would consist of cougar, blackbear, mule deer, whitetail deer, speed goats, hogs and elk in this neck of the woods, anything less than the 20 ga would just be inviting a wounded animal by my way of thinking.

Also, I want to create a gun which is as accurate as possible to what an original would have been other than the use of improved steel in the barrel, and perhaps a smoother lock. That is the reason that--at the time--I built the Santa Fe Hawken. **At the time** it was the best deal out there for being accurate to detail. It still aint bad other than the stamp on the bottom of the barrel that says made in italy. Since I'm a product of the West, the Trade Gun is the most likeley choice of a gun which would have been present at Bents Fort. The other thing I'm considering with NSW's gun is that they say that they have overhauled the lock to include a half cock notch and have lowered the trigger pull by about ten pounds. That is significant.

Showin off at a rondy would not be primary in this decision.

Me dos centavos

B

 

[rickw]

To Gold Hunter & Bounty Hunter,
I have a English trade Gun, made from a caywood kit. It's a 20 guage and I love it. I shoot a .60 round ball for PA whitetail and load #4 shot for turkey's. I haven't shot a turkey yet with it (still have 2 weeks left) but this past flintlock season I shot an 11 point buck on the last saturday of the season and that .60 caliber round ball really did a number on that buck. He only went about 20 yds and went down. This is the second deer I witnessed being shot with a 20 gauge smoothbore as last season my buddy shot a doe with his. I think this gun is great if you only can have 1 gun. Someday I'll build a rifle but for now this smoothbore is my baby.
Deathwind

 

[jim/wa]

i built there trade gun pistol last christmas and its a fairly easy build and matt is easy to talk to and answer questions i would recommend them

 

[tg]

"Also, I want to create a gun which is as accurate as possible to what an original would have been other than the use of improved steel in the barrel'

The typical trade gun would have been .58 bore. but the cheifs guns could sraty from the norm in bore size , lock type, and furniture, a Siler lock would not be out of place on one made in the last couple of decades of the 18th century, I don't think there was a "standard" Chiefs gun. Going with something like a nice fowler of the period would be a safe choice.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Yes the Chiefs gun did vary from the regular Trade gun a little bit. One of its other variations is that there is more drop to the stock, a feature that I find as a definite plus.

Thing is, I see Trade Guns at Bents Fort and I dont see fowlers. Wouldnt want the boys to berate me by callin me a pilgrim or a yankee....ya know what I mean?

I dont know, Matt might have some .58 barrels up there, but the 20 ga is common, and the ball is heavier. 325 grains or thereabouts isnt a bad way to go in my book.

For what I would use it for, the Chiefs gun in 20ga seems to fit the bill........Thanks all for your inputs.

Bill