Traditions Kit Modified build

[smo]

Looks great!

 

[AJFirearms]

Nice work Phil! You mentioned there are other better kits that are beginner priced. Would you share what those are? I’m new to this and want to build a kit and the traditions ones are just too poor quality/roughly finished

 

[Phil Coffins]

I’d suggest you look at what Dixie Gun Works has to offer. The Pedersoli are good and you can have set triggers and a fair lock in a one piece stock. Price is always a concern but when you go too low the product is more a test and one or two hundred dollars shouldn’t be the finial deciding factor. Even paying a bit more and then investing in the details that many people on this and other sites suggest you can have a rifle that will last a lifetime and be one that has more value. None of the details like trimming the lock panels or refining the contours is beyond a beginners ability if taken one at a time. I look forward to helping.

 

[Trapper Scott]

Thanks for sharing all the details and how too's. I have done a couple Traditions kits with another one sitting in the corner waiting on winter time here in VA. I've been working on my first quality kit which is a Kibler SMR and can attest to the huge difference in quality. I can say that my practice Traditions kits did make me better prepared for the Kibler though.

 

[Greg_E]

Even the CVA kits from the late 1970s were better than the Traditions Hawken kit I'm currently working on. Only thing I can say is that I'm trying a bunch of things I'd never do on a good kit for fear of failure. So these cheap kits have a place.

I did roughly put it together and shoot it before starting any work, it shoots OK. But lots of things I don't like and probably my first and last Traditions kit.

Things I'm willing to try and fail at: nickel plate everything, this is going pretty good but pointing out some issues. Also going to try checkering the stock, haven't started that yet as I need shape the stock down.

I like the idea of another side plate on the screw heads, think I might do that. What thickness of metal do you suggest? I have some 0.032 brass sheet but could find and cut some 0.125 if that's better.

 

[Phil Coffins]

.080“ to .090” would be my guess. It is inlet a bit and sets above the wood.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Even the CVA kits from the late 1970s were better than the Traditions Hawken kit I'm currently working on. Only thing I can say is that I'm trying a bunch of things I'd never do on a good kit for fear of failure. So these cheap kits have a place.

I did roughly put it together and shoot it before starting any work, it shoots OK. But lots of things I don't like and probably my first and last Traditions kit.

Things I'm willing to try and fail at: nickel plate everything, this is going pretty good but pointing out some issues. Also going to try checkering the stock, haven't started that yet as I need shape the stock down.

I like the idea of another side plate on the screw heads, think I might do that. What thickness of metal do you suggest? I have some 0.032 brass sheet but could find and cut some 0.125 if that's better.

I used about .080” to .090” inlet about half depth.

 

[LME]

More photos,
IMG_0391 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0392 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

I would be well pleased with the way this rifle turned out. The directions read,""Take these pieces of junk and made it into a piece of art""" ? You made a piece of art!

 

[Greg_E]

Directions? Can you really call what they send directions? I looked at mine, they are worthless. Got more out of "The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle" book. And I haven't really studied that book yet.