Rocks are addictive

[Col. Batguano]

Yeah you really do. Once you start building you will gain much better understanding in to the ergonomics of what fits you the best for your particular technique.

And, like many of us, you've admired these gorgeous pieces of art from afar for many year, but chafed at the $5000-$8000 (or more, WAY more) price tag. Even if you have the money to spend, it's hard to justify blowing that kind of dough on ONE gun in your own mind. So you build. After $1000 in parts, $400 in tools and 140-160 hours for your first plain gun, you have a $2500 finished piece if you took your time and executed it well. Then you double that time investment (same dollars) and take on more tasks for the second one. But you didn't execute some of the new stuff quite that well. You still have a $3000-$4000 gun. Now you go to town, and try to do it all for your third. Three years later you emerge from your basement and have a beautiful piece, in the $5000-7,000 range. The next one to four builds later you finally get it right. Everything clicks, and you have that piece you spent $1000 for that is truly the $15,000 - $20,000 piece you've aspired to all these years.

 

[galamb]

Very well put.

I guess I'm just kinda stalled at the $1500 rifle, even after multiple tries :rotf:

 

[azmntman]

Thats why I'm in it, historical FUN! Just think you n yer great great great great shooting bucks fer table fare the same way! :thumbsup:

One day I would like to get into building but so far just 3-4 kits. I may start soon as I snag a hunk of black walnut I been eying for a while!

 

[MSW]

Yeah you really do. Once you start building you will gain much better understanding in to the ergonomics of what fits you the best for your particular technique.

And, like many of us, you've admired these gorgeous pieces of art from afar for many year, but chafed at the $5000-$8000 (or more, WAY more) price tag. Even if you have the money to spend, it's hard to justify blowing that kind of dough on ONE gun in your own mind. So you build. After $1000 in parts, $400 in tools and 140-160 hours for your first plain gun, you have a $2500 finished piece if you took your time and executed it well. Then you double that time investment (same dollars) and take on more tasks for the second one. But you didn't execute some of the new stuff quite that well. You still have a $3000-$4000 gun. Now you go to town, and try to do it all for your third. Three years later you emerge from your basement and have a beautiful piece, in the $5000-7,000 range. The next one to four builds later you finally get it right. Everything clicks, and you have that piece you spent $1000 for that is truly the $15,000 - $20,000 piece you've aspired to all these years.

well, that would be true if I weren't such a fumblefingered klutz ... I hold it a good deal when I can avoid making a three hundred dollar gun out of eight hundred dollars worth of parts but, inexplicably, I keep at it ... go figure ...

 

[hanshi]

I started shooting flintlocks in 1969 after some years with percussions. Flint is about all I shoot nowadays.

 

[MJMarkey]

Hey there CJ. You are only the second in a very recent line of pilgrims that I've dragged into the dark side. Enjoy it the fever will persist, and gets better with age. I have a neighbor who is just beginning to turn, he hasn't made the step yet, but he will. I will not relent. Maybe this year maybe next year, but soon.

I've been shooting flintlocks since '74, never wanted the cap lock style and don't enjoy shooting them, it's a little like kissing your own sister. I've fired many a percussion rifle and pistol, I still haven't found one that thrills me like getting my rocklocks off. Heh Heh

 

[C.J.]

Shame on you Mike, for sharing this illness with me. Actually I am very glad that you did and I am enjoying every bit of it. I can't wait to see the looks at deer camp this year. I've already had one friend say, you're goona shoot what? :grin:

 

[steve free]

Hang in there Buddy! Pretty soon centerfires will lose there appeal, and then there's no turning back. Welcome to the dark side. :wink:

 

[C.J.]

Oh I can only imagine Steve how better it get. I got your PM and I'll call you Tues.