return to building after 40 years

[shermo]

After a 40-year layoff, I would like to try to get back into building muzzleloaders.

I have built a rifle and two pistols, but that was long ago and in another galaxy....

My skills are very rusty, but I still remember more or less how to proceed. I have some books. I would prefer to build from parts, rather than from a kit. But I want to start small and as cheaply as I can. IMO, that suggests a small flintlock pistol. I can find designs, or make my own. I want to buy barrel, tang, lock, trigger mechanism, and assorted small brickabrack. Since I will very likely mess up the first try, I would like to purchase a piece of barrel to learn on. I can look in a catalog for locks etc, but would welcome suggestions. Material for a stock should be plain, until I get better at it. Where can I get suitable wood?

I know where to go to get information of this kind, but I have been so impressed by the helpfulness and knowledge of the members of this forum that I will begin by asking you.

If someone wants to suggest reasons why I should make a different choice for my first project, I will listen willingly. Nothing is cast in concrete yet.

Shermo

 

Other than a couple thimbles, and a butt plate, and a cheaper somewhat stock, it not that much cheaper for a pistol. If cost is an issue, you can get parts as you go, stock blank, and barrel, then the lock a bit later. Get that inlet, and then get the lock. Many of the parts are easily made such as the Butt plate, thimbles, trigger, and if it's a Southern gun, even the trigger guard, and nose cap. It's doable on a budget to build a decent historically correct rifle, it just takes a little more thinking, but will give you more satisfaction.

Bill

 

[Birddog6]

Build a rifle........ Build something you will use Allot........ not seldom...

If I talked to 50 guys that have a ML pistol, 48 of them are going to tell me the pistol sits in the safe all the time & they shoot a rifle......

Now if you are really BIG on pistol shooting, fine..... :idunno: But to me, if I am not SURE I am going to shoot it allot, I am not sinking $ 500. in pistol parts.... :shake: it it going toward something I will USE !!

Heck you can buy a Lyman pistol kit & play with it if it is a once a year thingy....

Keith Lisle

 

[Zonie]

Actually, buying a Lyman Great Plains Pistol kit isn't a bad idea.

By doing so, the pistol can be built as it comes or for the more adventurous types they can carve a new stock out of a block of wood and mount the hardware in it.

For those who want to choose a pistol barrel they can go to Muzzleloader Builders Supply and choose from a number of different barrels http://muzzleloaderbuilderssupply....?cart_id=3774823.14177*e41D62&product=Barrels

Ed Rayl makes most of the pistol barrels and does an excellent job IMO.

Having built several pistols I can say that except for the savings in the cost of the barrel and the block of wood for the grip, the rest of the needed parts cost about the same as those that would be needed for a rifle.

The amount of work involved in building a pistol is about the same as building a plane rifle.