Starting a Kentucky Pistol Project

[VAN]

I'm collecting parts to build my first flintlock pistol. I have built a several longrifles from precarve stocks over the years but not a pistol. I could not find an 8" barrel and had to settle for a 12" Green Mountain in 45cal. The stocks I could find were all 8" barrel channels so I'm trying to decide whether to cut 2" off and recrown or just put a short 2" under rib at the muzzle for ramrod support. Do any of you pistol guys think 12" would be too long or look odd as most Kentucky Pistols I have seen are flush with the stock at the muzzle? I have no problem with cutting and crowning.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I suggest cut the barrel.

 

[Soupbone]

That looks like you could get a pecatonica stock to fit that. I just purchased a second stock for mine. First stock was my practice one. Not horrible but definitely can do better than this one im doing now. Stock was 115 for the roughed in barrel - the tang , rr,and lock.

 

[VAN]

That looks like you could get a pecatonica stock to fit that. I just purchased a second stock for mine. First stock was my practice one. Not horrible but definitely can do better than this one im doing now. Stock was 115 for the roughed in barrel - the tang , rr,and lock.

Just noticed my mistake in listing the Barrel Channel length on this stock as 8" it is actually 10" the same as Pecatonica stocks. I should have checked my numbers. The barrel is 12" exactly which is why I'm just going to cut around 2" off and recrown to extend just a bit past the nose cap. I think that would be best as I have only seen plains style pistols with 2" or more barrel extension past the nose cap not Kentucky style. I did see one that appeared to be a Ky that was made as a half stock though. Every precarve stock I could find was 10" max channel and everyone seems to be out of 10" barrels. Thanks guys for the replies.

 

[Soupbone]

I'll measure my new stock when i get home tomorrow morning. I cut 2 inches off the first stock. It's longer than needs be.

 

[Soupbone]

Well, the new stock is a bit shorter than the first one that i purchased. Its only 10.5 inch barrel slotted. I measured the chunk i cut off the first one it's 2".

 

[VAN]

Thanks Soupbone, I think stocks and barrels vary from the descriptions. The barrel I got said it was 11" but when received it was a full 12" long. I could turn this into a half stock flintlock like this picture I took at a museum, but I think it might be too muzzle heavy at 12". I guess I'll stick with the cut and crown.

 

[Soupbone]

Gotcha, just finished up my frontier pistol today. She has some flaws. But the precarved stock set the placement. It worked out but bought the second stock to put these parts on. But decided against it. Just buy new parts and build another with the new stock. It was good practice. And helps me decompress too.
Will be watching your build.

 

[VAN]

Nice job. Mine should be a very similar style. I'll post some pictures later as I'm still waiting for a few parts and getting a Siler flint lock kit put together and heat treated.

 

[VAN]

Finally got around to putting these parts together. I cut & crowned the barrel to 10". The Fancy Maple looks good with Laurel Mountain Honey Maple Stain I think.