Tow fullstock hawken How hard is it?

[Dstone1992]

I have been thinking about taking on a full stock hawken flintlock but I have very little experience. The only actual experience that I have is a kibler smr that I got in on Thursday and it is now in the "white" and ready for finishing. My question is for a beginner is that a big leap? Anyone have any wise words for me?

 

[david58]

Hawkens are not easy builds, but a full stock is easier than the half-stock. The long tang and trigger guard add a bit of challenge, but if you are patient and careful as you inlet you'll be fine. Not aware of a full-stock kit or parts set. My first scratch build was a full stock percussion, for a first build it was challenging but I worked under the eye of a very experienced builder and I survived. Keep it fun and it will go well.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Well you will actually need tools to build from the TOW kit. Be prepared for a leaning experience as parts won’t drop in and have holes drilled perfectly. Kibler is in class by its self but take the challenge!

 

[billraby]

It is a pretty big leap, but not impossible. The advantage that you have from experience with a Kibler rifle is that you know how the rifle goes together. That is a good start. Mr Kibler has come up with an amazing product. The only problem with the Kibler rifles is that he is the one that did most of the work. Track of the Wolf kits are a big step up in the work that you get to do. The good part is that when you are done, you actually know how to build a rifle. You will be ready to start building from blanks.
Everyone seems to be worried that will spend $1000 or so on parts and end up with a crummy rifle. Don't worry about that. Look at it this way. If you go on a cruise you will spend a lot more money. After a few days it is over and you got nothing to show for it. You paid for entertainment. Not a product. Think of building rifles the same way. You are not spending $1000 on parts that will be become a cool rifle. You are spending the money on entertainment. You get to spend months having fun out in the workshop. You are spending the money on entertainment. Not a rifle. You are buying the experience of building a rifle and it will last for months. The finished product does not matter. Having a great rifle when it is done is just a bonus. You can spend more money on a pair of good seats at a concert that lasts a couple hours.
You have very little experience. Well how do you think people get experience? You just have to do it.

 

[FishDFly]

I have been thinking about taking on a full stock hawken flintlock but I have very little experience. The only actual experience that I have is a kibler smr that I got in on Thursday and it is now in the "white" and ready for finishing. My question is for a beginner is that a big leap? Anyone have any wise words for me?

To build anything you have to have 3 things:

The time, the tools and the talent.

Only you know if posses all 3.

 

[Treestalker]

Hawken rifles were made by men who apprenticed 8 years to be gunsmiths. It is really hard to build a first time rifle of that complexity. I would highly recommend building a Leman trade rifle as a first build of that type; you still have lots to do and learn, but your success rate will probably be much higher, and you will maybe be happier with it.

 

[Norman Brooks]

The wedge keys are the main pain if you know what I mean. That and TOTW has a lot of backordered parts right now. Have been waiting on patch box now for 17 months.

 

[Dstone1992]

Well I think I might just order it up if they have it and give it a go. It's something I'd like to get into, it would be nice if I knew someone that was experienced in building them but I guess you can't always have someone there all the time to hold your hand. I'll just have to buy the tools as I need them I have some but probably not everything I would need.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

One thing to be aware of regarding the TOW full stock kit. After inletting the barrel and preparing to begin the tang I noticed it did not align with the barrel as expected. I contacted Ethan at TOW to discuss my concerns as I thought there was a problem with the parts. As it turns out, the stock was designed with cast off. Once the tang was inletted, it fit properly with the hook breech.

 

[Eric Krewson]

It should be "time, tools and patience", a lot of us are short on talent but make up for it with patience.

 

[Philip Lebow]

I've been a professional gunsmith for 32 years, and patience and an eye for detail will get you through a lot of problems. Take your time, and if you think you are getting into deep water, step back and read about what you are doing, and look through this forum. I still constantly research. Get some rifle building videos from Dixie or Log Cabin and watch them. They will help a lot. Best of luck.

 

[Cherrybow]

A TVM Leman standard kit is 850.00. A lot of the inletting is done (not complete) but leaves enough work to learn on. As said before, a Leman trade rifle is a great first project.