When are you ready???

[fw707]

I know there's a lot of folks on here who build FINE scratch-built rifles :hatsoff: , and I was just wondering---how did y'all get your start? Did you build a couple of kits first, or did you just jump right into a sackful of parts and take off?
When did you feel like you were ready to take a bunch of high-quality parts and really build a rifle by yourself without worrying about trashing something?
Please let me know what you think. If you can't already tell, I'm kinda getting the itch. :grin:

 

[bob1961]

i started with restocking my T/C with pecatonica grade 4 stock then bought a shaped stock i need to make a 1770 lancaster with a grade 4 stock from them to....then bought all the parts as needed....rice .54 barrel , davis trigger and chambers lock...........bob

 

[flashpanner]

And look, you still have all of your fingers! BTW, nice piece! I like the wood, very pretty

 

[fw707]

And look! He still has all of his fingers!

At least on his left hand! :grin:
That's a nice looking rifle, Bob. :hatsoff:

 

[MikeChapin]

I started out with kits. My first one was a CVA Mountain Rifle followed by a Navy Arms SxS 12 gauge then a Dixie .45 convertable.

After I had the Mountain Rifle for a while I decided to restock it with a longer pull and more drop. I picked up a stock from Pecatonica and went at it. The next rifle was a .36 flint long rifle from parts. I picked up a barrel from Sharon and a stock from Pecatonica and the other parts here and there.

I learned a lot with that rifle. Since I built it has had three different locks and about as many triggers. It has also had two stock makeovers. I did learn to use the best lock and trigger you can find.

Since then I have built several more, almost all flinters. The last was a light weight .32 with a 36" - 3/4" barrel.

 

[Toomuch_36]

To answer the topic heading first:
When you get the "itch" you are ready!

As for what to start on first:
For my first project I found a barrel that I thought I would like and then set to find parts that would fit together (size wise), The stock was a used Dixie Tennessee Mountain rifle and the lock was an old T/C flint (only because the lock plate was large enough to cover the existing lock cavety withoout a lot of gaps), the rest of the parts were whatever I could pick up "cheap". Made a lot of mistakes and the finished rifle looks pretty bad but it shoots real well.

The thing to remember is mistakes will happen, some may be noticeable and others will not. You will always be your own harshest critic and what you see as a cobbled up mess (in all likelyhood) will look just fine. One thing for sure you will never forget the expierence and it will lead to bigger and better projects!

Toomuch
..........
Shoot Flint

 

:v When I started in this silly business I was 14 years old. I wanted a muzzleloader, really wanted one. Dad said , figure it out for yourself. I started scrounging around. I read all I could find about the subject. Looking for a barrel I found one propping a barn door open, I offered to buy a pirce of pipe to replace it, and did. The farmer gave me a box with a bunch of parts, a back action perc lock , a trigger and bow and a butt plate.I hunted up a neighbor who modified ww2 surplus rifles into deer rifles. He agreed to take me under his wing. I soon learned to make a good guess as how to do things by watching and keeping my mouth shut.We cleaned and restored the barrel . made the lock workable and made a crude stock for it. The darn thing worked. ! Next was a flinter made up of an old pistol barrel a ronson lighter and a lot of tape. That worked too! twice! and my dad found it. That was 58 years ago. I was on my way and never looked back. Dupont powder could be bought for about a buck a pound and caps were 25 cents. You can do anything you set your mind to. when you hit a snag, think and try. I am not an engineer or toolmaker. just an ordinary guy, with a degree in forestry. Bob

 

[Vaino]

First off, read and study all the "how to" books which will answer a lot of beginning questions and once the "plunge" is made, will be excellent references during the build. These books will also instill some confidence, but should also give you a realistic idea of your skills and what should be your first build. RCA vols. 1&2 are invaluable aids and the next best thing to viewing originals and will be studied many times during the build. I did the above and started w/ a "scratch build" and only purchased the barrel, Bplate and TG and refrained from carving and engraving and still use this LR for squirrel hunting. Designing the architecture can be frustrating and if I were to start all over again, I'd buy a "kit" that omits the lock and other inlets which will give the builder needed practice and will reveal whether or not he really has the motivation and latent skills to pursue this past time. Good luck......Fred

 

[George F.]

I always had a fascination with The "Kentucky Rifle". I purchased a T/C Hawken Kit in perc. for a Chritsmas gift for my Dad when he was sticken ill, sadly only after less than 2 years after his retirement the illness over took him, never had the strength to open the box much past that holiday. That was the first project that wetted my appetite, and the limited experience that gave me. Next project was a long rifle from a blank in flint, and that's all I build now. ....George F.

 

[fw707]

Thanks to all for the replies and comments. I've done 3 "kit" guns now, and had a little help on one gun built from scratch.
I think I'm gonna have a project this winter---maybe a .36 half-stock if my mind don't change between now and then.

 

This is like the Question, How do you eat an elephant. The answer is "One bite at a time"

You just have to decide to do it, and since you are asking this kind of question, you are already hooked. Start with what you feel comfortable with, a kit or a precarved set. Get the books, and use the Forum (the best resource there is) Oh, by the way a pistol is not easier than a rifle to build. They have there own set of obsticles to overcome, they generally just have shorter barrels :haha: Bill

 

[Vaino]

Seeing your introductory post didn't mention all your experience, on any future posts please state all the facts, considering I think I wasted my time making a contribution......Fred

 

[fw707]

Seeing your introductory post didn't mention all your experience, on any future posts please state all the facts, considering I think I wasted my time making a contribution......Fred

Sorry about that, Fred.
I had a thread going on this forum about the GPR kit I just finished yesterday, and I guess I just assumed that some of the folks here had read it and knew that I wasn't a total beginner. I had also posted pictures of the .32 rifle I built with a little help from a buddy.
Anyhow, I guess what they say about "assuming" held true this time. :redface:
I got a lot of information from your post, and I sure didn't consider it a waste of time myself. The first thing I'm gonna do before I start on another gun is look up the reference material you mentioned.
Once again, my apologies.

 

[Vaino]

Good luck on your future builds....Fred