Pistol Build Questions

[Old40Rod]

I am building a pistol using a trapper style walnut precarve stock from Pecatonica (they sent me a nice one) with the barrel channel and ramrod hole pre-inlet. I'm using a 50 cal GM barrel, with a snail patent breech hooked tang set up.

I have reviewed the pertinent sections of Gunsmiths of Grenville, but I'm still confused on the order of inlettng everything. Should I completely inlet the barrel, breech and tang before inletting the lock? The section in G of G discussing snail breeches is a bit ambiguous and implies that you inlet in this order - barrel - breech - lock - tang. With a hooked tang, I don't understand how you can wait on inletting the tang (at least that portion sitting in the barrel channel mating to the plug) and have everything line up correctly. Perhaps G of G meant inletting the top strap of the tang, not the portion in the barrel channel?

Your thoughts and comments are appreciate as always.

 

[54JNoll]

The only pistol I have "built" was an only CVA Kit but I would take the order of inletting and shapping in the same order as a rifle.

Inlet the barrel first and make sure the breach is making full contact with the rear ofthe barrel channel and the barrel is fully down. It is my understanding that hooked breach tangs should be tempoarily fixed to the breach plug which is installed in the barrel once the barrel is fully in. Then the entire assembly is inlet as a unit. The initial inletting can be done prior to attachment to the barrel but the final inletting should be done attached to the barrel to ensure everything is square with no gaps.

 

[szihn]

Do it this way and you'll come out OK
1 Barrel
2 Breach. If hooked, solder the standing breach to the breach plug and inlet them as a unit.
3 Make rod channel and hole. Make rod.
3 Underlug and pin
4 Drum (if using one)
5 Lock plate (without guts)and vent (if making a flintlock)
6 sand down the lock mortise until it's level with the lock plate at the proper level
7 Sand down the off side of the lock area until it's the same thickness as the lock area you sanded jusr before this step
8 Inlet side plate
9 Draw in center line around pistol, and install butt cap
10 inlet lock guts
11 inlet trigger on center line
12 sand and shape stock. Watch center line
13 cut forend moldings
14 cut butt-cap moldings
15 inlet rod pipes
16 cut and sand lock moldings
17 inlet trigger guard on center line
18 install and inlet nose cap (if any)
19 install sights
20 do final sanding, stain and finish wood
21 do final finish on metal

Hope that helps
Steve Zihn

 

[szihn]

Here are some pics of two pistols I made.

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Look carefully at the layout.
You will see why I tell you to establish a center line. Also, you can see why it's best to cut lock moldings, butt moldings and carvings BEFORE you inlet the trigger and trigger guard.
Hope this helps
SZ

 

[Old40Rod]

Yes, it helps tremendously! Thank you for your answers, helped me solve a G of G mystery :winking:

Great looking pistol... mine will be somewhat of a plain jane in comparison, I am sure.

 

[MauriceJF]

Hi Steve,

Can you share some of your planning methods for this pistol. I would really like to know what you did to prepare for this project. The result speaks for itself.

 

[szihn]

uhmmmmmmmmmm..............
I am not sure what you are asking me Maurise.


Can you elaborate?
I will be happy to answer your questions.
Steve

 

[davy]

Very nice work Stevo! :hatsoff:

Davy

 

[szihn]

Thank you Davy
SZ

 

[54JNoll]

That pistol is simply gorgeous simply stunning. Thanks for sharing.

 

[szihn]

Thank You 54Noll.
I like to help if I can.

I am new enough at all this "computer stuff" that I am feeling my way through it, but I will try to interject when and if I think I can be of some help to those men and ladies out there that want to build their own.

 

[philo426]

Steve that pistol loooks great!Did you do the carving on the stock.?The fire-blued screw on the hammer is a nice touch!

 

[renovato]

Steve, those guns are beautiful. The quality of the carving and engraving is outstanding! Thanks for the pics!

 

[szihn]

Thanks Pyrodex and Plink.
Yes, it's my work. Hand made stocks. I made the barrels too.
I don't make many rifle barrels anymore, but I still make all my own pistol barrels. Rifled and smooth.
The stocks are hand made, but the mounts are Allen Foundry, except the butt cap on the one...........I can't remember where I got that.

 

[spitfire]

Nice work SZ :thumbsup: !