Shaping the lock area

[anj4de]

Hello

I am about to start working on my "pimp my Hawken" project. I have to re-do the wood around the lock to lock more like a finished gun rather then a pre-carved stock. I have done that once years ago on another Uberti Hawken, it worked quite well, by using a half round file and sand paper. I would be keen to know how a proffesional gun smith does this. I have the videos from Williamsburg's master Gusler but they do not show this step. Are there any useful video clips out there or maybe good photos on how this has to be done and what tools should be used?

thanks
Uwe

 

[54ball]

This is one of the more critical architectural elements that is passed over a lot in instruction books and videos. Videos help but actually doing it to wood really Helps.

I suggest you trace that area of the rifle on a good piece of scrap wood, shape it and practice making that shape. Study all you can on that area of a rifle.

Use a rat tail file or rasp to form that panel around the lock. A rat tail file is perfectly round and tapers to a near point on one end. Get good on practicing that shape on scrap before you attempt it on your rifle.

 

[Rifleman1776]

You seem to have a good eye for this sort of thing. I suggest you just do what pleases you. The result will be both customized and personalized. Go for it and show us the result.

 

I use a half round Iwasabi rifle to create a radius where the triggerguard is and just work my way around the preexisting wood aroudn the lock. The area forward the bolster can be relieved with a decent sized gouge.