The GPR build *looking back*

[jtmattison]

Well, as you all know the build is finished. It was an easy build and a lot of fun. I have some comments on my experiences if y'all are interested.

The kit was easy but if I didn't already own a GPR I think assembly may have been a little harder. Lyman does not include step by step instructions that say what screws go where...etc.

Birchwood Casey's Plum Brown works awesome. It is easy and finishes parts nicely. After browning the parts, cleaning them and oiling them they continued to rust. This worried me. I took all of the parts and scrubbed them in baking soda and water then re-oiled them. The rusting stopped.

LMF Barrel Brown & Degreaser workes awesome also. I was a bit intimidated by the instructions but it turned out to be very easy and left a very nice chocolate colored finish. Scrubbing the barrel with baking soda and water and then flash drying with a torch and oiling with motor oil like the instructions on the web worked perfect.

Birchwood Casey's Walnut Stain works nice. One coat of undiluted stain gave my stock the color I was looking for. It was easy to use and not messy.

Birchwood Casey's Tru-Oil works great. I applied six coats in two days by using my fingers. It applied easy and dried fast leaving a really nice finish.

The only real problem I encountered was when I was installing the escutcheons. On the last screw it twisted off without warning. Luckily I was able to drill a new hole and the new screw went in okay. I would recommend either getting better screws or lubing the screws with wax before installing. I lubed the last screws with my patch lube and they went right in.

I guess that's about it. I hope someone gets something from my experience.

HD

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Ya, I found the lack of instructions from Lyman a bit of a hurdle on my GPR, but not too bad. I originally was going to brown my metal, but opted to do the opposite and use blueing. My next gun I think will brown. Good job Huntin Dawg, and have fun with it!
Scott

 

[Zonie]

Like Huntin Dawg says, lubricating the screws with wax or even patch lube before installing them can work wonders.

I keep a "almost gone" bar of ivory soap in my building drawer for just this purpose.
I can't beat the price because my wife would have thrown it out. :grin:

zonie

 

[renovato]

I just broke a screw off in mine last night. Looks like I'm in the same boat as you were. It gripes me because I had lubed the screw and was very careful when tightening. The screws are really low grade.

 

[AeroncaTAL]

I agree, those screws are crud! Replace them.
Scott

 

[BrownBear]

Thanks to the comments here, I avoided breaking mine. Used candle wax on the threads, tightened till resistance was felt, backed them out and relubed. All 8 screws only took the one relube to finish seating.

Then there's that darn foward tang bolt. Probably had a bummer to start with, but I was hand starting it to check alignment and fit, and the consarned thing stripped. Tried another with the same thread and it wouldn't even start. Punched out the bedded nurled nut in the stock and it had a bur. Will replace with a conventional nut and bed.

Otherwise a nice, clean kit. I'm fitting the foreend cap right now. After filing the barrel channel, it developed that the cap was loose, so I'll be glass bedding that. No prob.

Thinking seriously about adding a period cap box, stripping the case hardening from the lock and browning that along with everything else.

Anyone with recommendations?

 

[Shooey]

I inlayed a Hunting star on mine, I think it came out great. I practiced twice, once using a soft wood, and once on a piece of oak. That way I felt ready to start carving on my stock. The trick was giving the star a slight bend so it matched the arch of the cheekpiece. Thanks.

-SHOOEY

 

[AeroncaTAL]

BrownBear, naval jelly works real good at removing the case color from the lock and hammer.
Scott

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Shooey,
That's a nice looking star on your GPR. I can tell that it kept you on "course" and helped you harvest that deer. :grin:
Scott