Red’s Incredible Traditions Kentucky Build: Probably not what you would have done…

[Panama Red]

I have one in progress but have too many other things in progress right along with it. I'll be watching for the match.

When I look at your stock I can't decide which half is the evil twin!

Either half would look good if it was a one piece stock, but the back half looks more like a modern stock…

 

[Panama Red]

Ladies and gentlemen, please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe…

Well, here she is…. behold CROW in all her splendor! Don’t be jealous fellers! You too could have something this nice…

Ok, enough of the BS. Got her done! This was a fun build. Enjoyed that a lot. Also, finished it a LOT faster than I thought I would.

Notes on the build:
1. Boiled Linseed Oil doesn’t take near as long as everyone warned me. Mopped it on, rubbed it in vigorously, let it set for 15 min, wiped it off with a clean cloth. Dried within the hour. Got two coats on. Side note: the instructions say if you leave it on too thick, it will never dry, just stay sticky and gooey. I will disassemble and apply a few more coats.
2. On a nicer stock SAND MORE! I didn’t get the 100 grit marks completely out, and you can see some in the right light.
3. Buy a good vise (not Vice…) and some good chisels. Also, learn to sharpen chisels…
4. Don’t be afraid to play with stain. I mixed 50/50 Gunstock and Provincial to get this. Would probably go a bit more Gunstock next time for more red. Also, you have to wait for stain to dry before applying the second coat if you want it to get darker… found that out after I gave up on staining the transition.
5. LMF Browning solution is awesome.
6. If you spend all day long in your shed working on a rifle, your wife may take up a relationship with a cabana boy named Raul.
7. Did I mention Get A Vise? Yeah, do that!
8. Pay attention to guys who have already built the rifle you are building, and steal all their ideas.

Now to order some flints and light this smoke pole!

-Red, forgetting the lessons already…

 

[Pilgrim]

Ok, apart from painting it black, as was suggested earlier by Appalichian Hunter, or completely painting it, as 64Springer suggested, I just ain’t going to be able to hide the transition. I’ve tried Provincial brown straight on it, which makes most wood look like a Hershey bar, and it just won’t darken the “curl” in the front half.
So, my solution: next rifle, get a one piece stock with a better grade of wood. TAADAA! Problem solved!
Old Crow here is going to be shot looking just the way she looks. Everyone will know it’s a Traditions Kentucky the minute I pull her out of the truck. I forget who said it, but the statement will be “That’s a damn Traditions!” LOL!
So she will start getting her sealant as soon as this puddle of stain dries.
And I will be doing that wrong as well, so prepare yourselves for the whining! It’s coming…
-Red, actually pretty happy with it all…

Great idea about buying a one-piece stock. I looked into that too. It's a different set of problems to overcome. Buying the stock, doing all in letting yourself was the best way to address the problem. I plan on doing that to my Traditions in the future. Just to see if I can make it appear more authentic. Maybe a trade gun remake?

 

[Panama Red]

One other lesson learned: When marking where to drill the hole for your barrel pins, take a LOT of time, and make very precise measurements. I thought I had, well, close enough anyways, lol, and got a little high on the front one. Not bad, but not centered either. Just barely nicked the flat on the front tenon (the part that wedges in to the barrel). Take your time.

My motto: Measure once, drill twice…
-Red, slightly off center..

 

[babstooge]

Ladies and gentlemen, please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe…

Well, here she is…. behold CROW in all her splendor! Don’t be jealous fellers! You too could have something this nice…

Ok, enough of the BS. Got her done! This was a fun build. Enjoyed that a lot. Also, finished it a LOT faster than I thought I would.

Notes on the build:
1. Boiled Linseed Oil doesn’t take near as long as everyone warned me. Mopped it on, rubbed it in vigorously, let it set for 15 min, wiped it off with a clean cloth. Dried within the hour. Got two coats on. Side note: the instructions say if you leave it on too thick, it will never dry, just stay sticky and gooey. I will disassemble and apply a few more coats.
2. On a nicer stock SAND MORE! I didn’t get the 100 grit marks completely out, and you can see some in the right light.
3. Buy a good vise (not Vice…) and some good chisels. Also, learn to sharpen chisels…
4. Don’t be afraid to play with stain. I mixed 50/50 Gunstock and Provincial to get this. Would probably go a bit more Gunstock next time for more red. Also, you have to wait for stain to dry before applying the second coat if you want it to get darker… found that out after I gave up on staining the transition.
5. LMF Browning solution is awesome.
6. If you spend all day long in your shed working on a rifle, your wife may take up a relationship with a cabana boy named Raul.
7. Did I mention Get A Vise? Yeah, do that!
8. Pay attention to guys who have already built the rifle you are building, and steal all their ideas.

Now to order some flints and light this smoke pole!

-Red, forgetting the lessons already…
View attachment 219852

good looking rifle. I always like making it the way I like it . If it's like my cvas and traditions it's a good shooter. Be proud grasshopper it's yours and pretty. Bruce

 

[Pilgrim]

View attachment 219853
View attachment 219854
One other lesson learned: When marking where to drill the hole for your barrel pins, take a LOT of time, and make very precise measurements. I thought I had, well, close enough anyways, lol, and got a little high on the front one. Not bad, but not centered either. Just barely knocked the flat on tenon (the part that wedges in to the barrel). Take your time.

My motto: Measure once, drill twice…
-Red, slightly off center..

Nice looking rifle.

 

[cynthialee]

I kind of like the 2 wood situation. Looks like it was a make it work situation where the builder didn't have enough of either type wood, so you made do with what was on hand. Now as for the workers at the factory....they really could have done a better job in matching woods for the rifle. More on them than you.

 

[Panama Red]

I kind of like the 2 wood situation. Looks like it was a make it work situation where the builder didn't have enough of either type wood, so you made do with what was on hand. Now as for the workers at the factory....they really could have done a better job in matching woods for the rifle. More on them than you.

Thanks. I was honestly going to try and hide the joint with super dark stain, but I don’t know enough about wood staining, apparently, LOL!
I won’t have any problem getting used to it though. I’m not sure why they don’t just sell it as a one piece kit though. I know they make one, but according to the guy that had it, it’s not available to the general public. What would it add to the cost of the kit? Maybe 50 bucks? I’d have paid it.
But if it will go KaBoom, I will be very happy.
Now to convince the wife I need another one… wait, she’s busy with Raul, so maybe she won’t notice.
-Red, sneaking in another one shortly…

 

[Colonialnerd]

Red… that came out pretty darn nice. Make smoke and have some fun! And thank you so much for sharing your build.
Say hi to Raul for us!

 

[babstooge]

I kind of like the 2 wood situation. Looks like it was a make it work situation where the builder didn't have enough of either type wood, so you made do with what was on hand. Now as for the workers at the factory....they really could have done a better job in matching woods for the rifle. More on them than you.

sometimes you do the best you can. I kinda like less expensive rifles most of the one's I have shoot good they do what I need. They not be pristine but if I scratch it I don't have a coronary. Bruce

 

[Panama Red]

sometimes you do the best you can. I kinda like less expensive rifles most of the one's I have shoot good they do what I need. They not be pristine but if I scratch it I don't have a coronary. Bruce

That’s what I like about the truck I drive. 2002 Silverado 2500HD, 365,000 miles. Has a 2012 bed on it, so it’s a lot like this gun… but I take that through THICK brush, and don’t sweat the scratches! If you’re a Chevy fan, it hurts your eyes.
-Red, trucks and guns both wrong…

 

[Panama Red]

Red… that came out pretty darn nice. Make smoke and have some fun! And thank you so much for sharing your build.
Say hi to Raul for us!

It was fun. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.
I reported Raul to Immigration, and Ron DeSantis flew him to Martha’s Vineyard. So that solved that problem for me…
-Red, writing in DeSantis in the primaries whether he runs or not…

 

[cynthialee]

sometimes you do the best you can. I kinda like less expensive rifles most of the one's I have shoot good they do what I need. They not be pristine but if I scratch it I don't have a coronary. Bruce

I am afraid to spend big money on a gun. If I break a $400 rifle I am sad, but I should be able to get parts easy enough as I just shoot production guns. If I broke a custom build that cost 2 grand....I would be heart broken.

 

[Panama Red]

I am afraid to spend big money on a gun. If I break a $400 rifle I am sad, but I should be able to get parts easy enough as I just shoot production guns. If I broke a custom build that cost 2 grand....I would be heart broken.

Ain’t that the truth! I said the same thing about expensive pocket knives. I carry a cheap knife everywhere with me. I can throw that thing in the river, and it will be back in my pocket before I get home somehow. But a really nice knife? Those things walk off all on their own.
-Red, bargain basement gun guy…

 

[RB POWELL]

Hers an old CVA I rebuilt several years ago, hope it gives some inspiration what can be done. Inspiration, time and effort can pay off on those production rifles. Glued stock together, took off a lot of wood, faux stripe job, new trigger guard and nose cap. All the rest is CVA parts.

pretty gun

 

[Jim K]

Red, I REALLY like that garage behind the truck!! I enjoyed your build too. Enjoy your rifle.


- Jim, jealous of Red’s garage

 

[Panama Red]

Red, I REALLY like that garage behind the truck!! I enjoyed your build too. Enjoy your rifle.


- Jim, jealous of Red’s garage

Hey Jim, thanks!
We had that shipped in on a flatbed or two, and put it all together, about twenty years ago. Full insulation, and plywood walls up to 8 feet on the inside. There are matching roll ups on the back so you can drive through. I’ve done everything from rebuild an AirStream to throw birthday parties in that thing.
My next project is on the back apron at the moment…
I pulled a dozen of these out of the woods for a fellow that was selling a piece of property. Earliest was a 1953, latest a late 70’s. I got this 65, and a 66 for my efforts… waiting on the titles before I dig in to it. She will move inside when that starts. She will end up looking just like this, but with a nice coat of Boiled Linseed Oil to make her shine. And she will most likely be a hair quicker than she was originally, lol!
That tailgate is mostly holes. Going to put red LED’s in between the tailgate panels, so when you hit the brakes, all the holes glow red.
-Red, more toys than sense…

 

[oldwood]

A pretty fair bayonet can be made to work on the new rifle in case of ignition failure , with most any sharp metal , spear like object , and camo , duct tape. Caviot........duct tape comes in endless colors. Though my favorite is camo , the owner might choose from the many varieties , and patterns.. LOL on the bayonet.

 

[babstooge]

Thanks. I was honestly going to try and hide the joint with super dark stain, but I don’t know enough about wood staining, apparently, LOL!
I won’t have any problem getting used to it though. I’m not sure why they don’t just sell it as a one piece kit though. I know they make one, but according to the guy that had it, it’s not available to the general public. What would it add to the cost of the kit? Maybe 50 bucks? I’d have paid it.
But if it will go KaBoom, I will be very happy.
Now to convince the wife I need another one… wait, she’s busy with Raul, so maybe she won’t notice.
-Red, sneaking in another one shortly…

hey look on the bright side you have straight grain and curly maple and you didn't have to buy two guns .Bruce

 

[Panama Red]

A pretty fair bayonet can be made to work on the new rifle in case of ignition failure , with most any sharp metal , spear like object , and camo , duct tape. Caviot........duct tape comes in endless colors. Though my favorite is camo , the owner might choose from the many varieties , and patterns.. LOL on the bayonet.

That was along the line of my father’s advice for hiding the stock joint. Wrap it in electrical tape… nobody will notice the joint any longer.
-Red, looking for the 3M 33+…