to build or buy

[Andy Mueller]

I'm hoping to start bird hunting in the fall, so I was wondering if it would be more cost efficient to get a used fowler or indian trade gun or get a kit and build one. I'm just looking for a beginning gun so I'm not too concerned wether it is top quality or not, as long as it shoots straight! I'm a college student so cost is the mainly deciding factor.
Also, if you think I should get a used gun, what should I get? Hopefully it'll work for 1810 or so, but I'm not choosy. Also where is the best place to look for a cheap gun or kit?
Thanks,
Scouter

 

[Slash]

You may want to try the Classifieds on the forum, a pawn shop, or some of the online auctions if you are considering used. Just be careful buying sight unseen.
Slash

 

[Black Hand]

Look into a North West Gun (smoothbore). You will get more for your money if you build than if you buy a finished gun (depends on you skills).

Get the best you can afford especially in a flint gun.

 

[renovato]

I'd definately take a close look in the used market. There are some good deals out there, but they come and go quickly, so have patience.

As for kits, it depends on which model you build, but in many cases, you don't end up saving any money by the time you buy the necessary tools, finishes, etc. It's a great way to make the gun look and fit the way you want it to, though.

 

[MercerLake]

:v Perhaps there is one or more members from the forum in your immediate area that can get ahold of you and you may be able to try several types of gun before you buy. Then you can make the decision to buy ready-made or build.
The Trade guns work very well for birds or hunting larger game. But you will save money by getting the best that you can afford at the start.
Good luck!

 

[Andy Mueller]

Testing them out sounds like a good idea. I have tried a NW trade gun, but his was about as reliable at firing as a the weatherman making correct predictions. I originally decided on a trade gun because most of my gear is Indian, so a NW trade gun would fit nicely, but I'm open to anything that'll work.
Thanks
Scouter

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I'm not sure how well that trade gun stock will work for wing shooting. True fowlers have more drop and a bit of cast off to aid in wing shooting and these things are good for rabbit and squirrel shooting and deer hunting too. Just one more thing to consider. Of course there is the fusil de chasse....

 

[Grenadier1758]

I would recommend that you consider a used gun first. A simple fowler is a good choice. The NW gun is of a later period 1810. I think that the in-the-white kit would be the best choice for a kit gun. These are assembled with only the final finishing to complete. The only tools needed would be sandpaper, steel wool, good screwdrivers, and some needle files for the final wood finish. You might want a single cut file for use in drawfiling the barrel. Get one of the assembly books or videos.
While you would save money on a full kit, that would savings would quickly disappear if you needed more tools or access to a drill press. Cutting the slots for the lugs or soldering them in place is not really the task for an unsupervised novice to gun building.

 

[bart_anastasi]

The most important thing in a gun is good quality not cost.

If this is your first gun you could look up some rifles on this site for example.

Not long ago they had a gun with two barrels a rifle and shotgun for a good price.

right now they have some nice T/C rifles and you can get a 20 ga additional barrel from Green Mountian (a barrel maker) for a reasonable price.

If this is your first gun and bucks is tight good used is bettter than new cheap. IMHO

 

[bart_anastasi]

PS

If you are looking on this site and you see a good gun at a good asking price buy it now.

If you dont some one else will.

 

[Black Hand]

While you would save money on a full kit, that would savings would quickly disappear if you needed more tools or access to a drill press. Cutting the slots for the lugs or soldering them in place is not really the task for an unsupervised novice to gun building.

I built my first gun with a 1/4" chisel, sandpaper, a rasp, file, a tap, a propane torch and a battery-powered drill. If you have basic woodworking and metalworking skills, there is no reason that you can't build a gun. It may not be the prettiest thing, but what you learn is much more valuable...Many kit suppliers supply instruction sheets and are more than happy to help you if you call.

Just depends on what you choose to do and what you can afford.

 

[Andy Mueller]

I know that building a gun would be quite the undertaking, but I believe my neighbor could help(although I'd have to ask him). I'm not too sure what a drop on a gun is so I don't know exactly how the fowler is better. All I want for the type of gun is a gun that can get birds. I already have a Austin Halleck Flintlock Hawkins that I plan on taking for anything that requires a rifled barrel. Anyways, I have another post going on an expected price for a used gun and I'm getting 500-600 as a really cheap gun. But one person said 1100! If the 1100 estimate is right I won't have a choice, I'll have to build it.
Scouter

 

[gordy]

Being that you now have a flintlock hawkens, you are at least familiar with this type of lock. As to wether or not its cheaper to buy used or build a kit depends on many factors. I think you can still get a North West Trade gun in kit form for $700.00 -+ depending on the options you choose. I doubt that you'd be able to find a like gun used for much less. Also smooth bores seem to be in great demand and don't stay on the market long. By building a kit you'll be able to adjust the fit of the stock before putting on the finish. The odds of a used gun fitting your personal build is a gamble. Don't be afraid to tackle a kit, as there are many on this and other BP sites that will be glad to walk you through the build.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

You can get a trade gun kit from Track for $570. You don't want the comb to be too high in relation to the line of sight down the barrel. If you have to scrunch down to look down the barrel wingshooting is not going to be much fun. Crescent style butt plates don't work well either as they make mounting the gun quickly a painful experience and they are meant to be mounted out on the upper arm, not on the shoulder. There are sound reasons why fowlers (and modern shotguns) are made the way they are and rifles are so different from them. Many of the trade guns features are there to expedite manufacture and cut costs--not necessarily to build a better gun. This should be kept in mind when choosing a smoothbore. A fowler is a fine birding piece that will also fire patched balls in great fashion. The trade gun is a fine piece, but its stock was not designed for wingshooting. Ditto the rifle with a smoothbored barrel fitted to it. Also, the rifle often makes for a heavy and poorly balanced smoothbore.