"Recreating the American Long Rifle"

[silly goose]

Hi, folks. I've been thinking about ordering this book. I've never built a rifle, but after being on this site for the last couple years I think I'm going to give it a go before too long. I just wanted to know what you thought of this book. It may be silly, but my wife picked up a book for me a while ago, I no longer have it, it was about the development of flintlocks and it was written very old style. It was way over my head. I couldn't understand it. I just wanted to know what you guys thought before I ordered this one. Thanks.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

It is, in my opinion, still the best and the easiest to understand.

 

[Rifleman1776]

It is, in my opinion, still the best and the easiest to understand.

I have it and probably agree with the "best" opinion.
But, it is extremly detailed, filled with explanations about 'why' things are done a certain way plus much theory.
A full reading through, a couple times, before starting your build is well advised.
And keep handy while working to use as a reference for nearly every step.

 

[silly goose]

OK, then. I've been hemmin and hawin for a couple months. Order placed, should be here early next week. Thanks guys.

 

[jerrywh]

Best book I ever have seen on building. I have never found a mistake in that book. There are lots of other books with a lot of misinformation in them.

 

[agill]

I've got it. It has some nice pictures of guns. I didn't get a lot of use from it though. I got more useful information from members here on the forum and by watching videos and Mike Brooks' tutorial.

 

[Vaino]

My first LR build was from a blank and "Recreating....." was my only reference. This book enumerates the steps in building a LR and this is of utmost importance for a beginner. As was said...a lot of detailed info which should be studied.....Fred

 

[Staggerwing]

I am getting close to completing my first build. I have this book and the one written by Dixon. Can't remember excatly what the name is. They just recently reprinted The Gunsmith of Grenville County and I ordered it as well. To me, these three complement each other very well. I have found it helpful to reference a given step in the building process in all three books. The Gunsmith of Grenville County is the most detailed IMO.

 

[DTCoffin]

i prefer that book over the gunsmith of grenville county for overall building, the gunsmith of grenville is VERY detail orientated,very good book but for general knowledge you can build a fine rifle from the "recreating" book.

 

[50cal.cliff]

I am reading it now! I am also about to do my first build and am gleaning a lot of knowledge from it, or at least clarifying in my mind what I thought was the correct way of doing things!

 

[ByGeorge]

That book, an incomplete Jaeger rifle, and a small hand axe were inherited from my favorite uncle. I've read it through it a dozen times, it's worth buying for the "order of operations".

 

[rich pierce]

Just keep in mind when reading older books that they were meant as guides for building from a blank. If you're working with a kit or precarve that has a lock inlet, you need to get the lock in most of the way first then finalize the position of the barrel so the touch hole is where it belongs.

 

[silly goose]

Thank you, to all that responded.

 

[sleeperNY]

I've had my copy sense 1976. It is all beat up from many years of use and I still use it when I am able to build a rifle.

Jim

 

[silly goose]

I've had this book long enough to read through it once. I just started going through it again. It really starts to make sense and sink in as I read it again. I'm glad I purchased it, and think I will have to build my next rifle. I like the "spirit" of which it is written. Thanks guys.