Pedersoli Kuchenreuter pistol review w/ Match tuning

[No second place]

After shooting and competing with most target type Caplock repos and many originals I only recently acquired a Pedersoli Kuchenreuter. Always wanting to test one for match shooting use. This one is .40 caliber. Will the Kutch replace my Pedersoli Cap Lapage as my primary capper? But first, just like any other new to me match pistol...Tuning...Some have asked for details on my tuning and my answer is always "depends on what each gun needs". I will provide some details here. Not a "How To" guide. Just What and Why. Barrel tuning; Crown shape and polish. Why. To prevent patch damage and ease starting. Bore Taper-Lapping and Polishing. Why. Ease of loading, less fouling build up and ease of cleaning. Front sight. Reshape to straight side with a taper from front to rear. Why. Better sight picture in various light conditions without distracting reflections changing your point of aim. Wedge and tenon under barrel and breech wedge fit and tension. Why. Preventing point of aim drift... Hook breach with rear sight and tension screw; Proper screw tension needed to prevent point of aim shift. Replaced V notch rear sight with a U notch for better sight picture. Fixed internal adjustments for rear sight.Why. Did not work, now works and will not randomly change adjustment...Lock; Polish , Stone and adjust Fly, Sear, Tumbler and screw tension. Why; Faster, smoother and more consistent operation... Trigger; Polishing, Stoning and adjusting. Why; For a fine match trigger... I also removed the factory "Plastic looking" finish. The new finish is a oil blend type like you will see on original guns... Were all these improvements, adjustments or tuning needed? Yes. Is this much needed tuning typical? Yes. Would you not shoot a new gun first to "find out" it`s tuning needs? No, not any more. Point or aim shifting, poor trigger and poor sights is not worth a range day...Pictures and 2 days of range testing to follow...nsp

 

[wiscoaster]

Nice review .... but .... NO PICS?!?!?

 

[No second place]

No before pictures as this is not a "HowTo"...nsp

 

[No second place]

Nice color case hardening and fine browned barrel by Pedersoli...

some might call this a defarbed finish. The reason for this no gloss matt type finish is for a better non-slip grip for match use. Very easy to maintain.

 

[No second place]

 

[No second place]

The rear sight screw (seen behind the rear sight) needed replacement with a custom turned and fitted type with a coil spring inserted to prevent rear sight shift. Other Pedersoli pistols with similar sights need the same treatment in my experience. Examples include 2 Cook Underhammers, 5 LePage Caplocks, 4 LePage Flintlocks and an Original Swiss target type Caplock. Without this fitting the adjustments were erratic, very limited and prone to shifting. I show the sight picture here because it has been cut, leveled and shaped for a easy to see sight picture. The original sights on all these pistols were at best only usable in the best light conditions by someone with great eyesight. The picture here is not as good as my range sight picture with these sights, just the best I could manage with my camera...nsp