Thinking of building a flintlock kit

[fire-n-brimstone]

Thinking of building a flintlock kit and wanted some opinions. this is the kit http://www.davidpriceflintlocks.com/id35.html
anybody ever do one of his kits? if so how would you rate it on fit and finish of inletting?

thanks in advance

Andy

 

[Dane]

Andy,

First of all a question. How many "kits" have you previously built??

Here's the reason I ask. The term KIT is kind of a misnomer. This is not a TC, or a GPR. This is NOT a kit. This is a collection of parts that will fit together to make a very nice rifle, IF you do your part. This is not a kitchen table project, that a screw driver and some sandpaper with finish.

If you have not built a kit before, I would start with something a little simpler.
If you have, I'm probably preaching to the choir.
I'm not trying to discourage you, but I can't tell you how many kits I've put together after someone has started them and got stuck.

I don't have personal experience with David's kits, but I do know the man, and you won't find a better human being on earth.

I've built well over 30 "kits" Dunlap, Chamber's, Brooks,etc.

That being said. Chamber's are about the most user friendly, and has the best hardware, and because of that a little more pricey.
Dunlap ALWAYS gives you better wood than graded. Chamber's about 90% on the inletting, Dunlap probably 80%

I hope this helps. I can answer specific questions on Dunlap and Chamber's if you'd like.

Good luck.

 

[fire-n-brimstone]

I have built 3 Lymans and want to graduate to something a little harder.

Andy

 

[wattlebuster]

Andy i would suggest that you buy building a flintlock rifle with Ron Ehlert. it is a 3 dvd set costs 45 bucks and it helped me alot when i was trying the same step as you. plus you get to see a true master that has passed on at work. as for the kits you asked i have never built one but have heard they are great kits. good luck to u!!!

 

[J.D.]

I would call David and talk to him about what how much insetting is done with his kit and what needs to be done. David is a straight up kinda guy, so he will be honest about what needs to be done to finish his kits.

The Ehlert vid can be rented here, BTW.

While I like these videos, the demonstrators make it look almost too easy. Not to mention that some details are left out, in consideration of time constraints, but all in all, most of the vids are a very good resource, as a supplement to the building books.
http://smartflix.com/store/video/214/Building-the-Jim-Chambers-Kit-Rifles

God bless

 

[fire-n-brimstone]

So what would you recommend? Smooth bore 20ga or rifle? The gun will mainly be used for hunting and rendezvous once i can get to one. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Andy

 

[wayne1967]

I would suggest reading; Recreating the American Longrifle. It's a pricey, old book but full of everything you need to know. I borrow my buddie's every time I do a build. The DVDs mentioned may be fine also, I've never viewed them. I guess watching something being done could be an advantage over just reading and pictures.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The choice of a smoothbore vs. rifle requires consideration on what you intend to hunt, where you intend to hunt, and what kind of ranges you are likely to have to shoot over to bag the game?

If you are primarily a small game hunter, and Bird shooter, then the smoothbore can be a fine choice for a variety of game. It also fits in with most Rendezvous shooting programs.

However, if you are primarily a Big Game hunter, then a rifle only makes sense to choose. If you are only hunting whitetails, then a .45 or .50 caliber rifle will fill your needs. However, if you hunt in Mule Deer and Elk Country, then consider having a .54 or .58 caliber gun.

In reality, you probably are NOT going to be satisfied with just one or the other- smoothbore vs. rifle. Plan of making or buying them both. Its the only way you will finally sleep at nights! :haha: :grin: :hmm: :surrender: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

I have found the smoothbore to fill all my needs, Deer.Elk, squirrel and all small game, it is a .58 so to small for Turkey but a .62 bore would work, I used rifles for years, once I tried smoothbores I pretty much hung up and then sold all the rifles, not everyone gets that attatched to the smoothbores, you may want to start with a rifle and pick up a good used smoothbore later to try out that end of the sport.One manufacture makes both barrels for the same gun but their guns are lacking in the historical accuracy department, this is something you will need to decided whether it is importantto you or not on whatever gun you choose.

 

[MSW]

if you've built guns before, you're well aware that this isn't a screwdriver- ready project. If not, i would rent the video, and also check out American Pioneer's website. If you can get a copy of The Gunsmith of Grenville County by Peter Alexander, and a copy of Recreating the American Longrifle by Shumway, you will have spent the better end of a hundred bucks, which sounds like a lot, but really is pretty reasonable if you consider the cost of the parts you didn't ruin, and the value of the time you didn't waste, because you had the knowledge imparted in these books. (Not to count the embarrasment, the frustration, the time in purgatory for all those cuss words- if you believe in purgatory and all that stuff, and the blood you'll have to clean up off the shop floor.)

If you're renting videos, and you can't already sharpen a chisel to shave- your- forearm- hair sharp, you should develope this skill before you do anything else.

Just one guy's free advice, and no doubt worth every penny.

good luck with your project, and make good smoke!

(p.s. - i'd go for the 20 gua / .62 calibre smoothie, but the question of rifle or smooth is sorta like asking what's the best pair of shoes- every answer is correct, but every answer is different)