Kit Guns

[countertop]

Was wondering how many people here have built muzzleloaders from the various kits that are available. How easy/difficult was it.

How much work is required? What condition are the parts in? I understand some work remains on the stock, but what about the action? Is there much to do beyond just blueing/browning the gun?

In particular, I am looking at this Kentucky Rifle. If anyone has experience with this kit, or any Traditions Firearms kit, I'd like to hear about it. Are there other comparable kits you would recommend?

Thanks!!

 

[mainmech48]

I've built three or four ML weapons from kits. Ranged from a .40 cal. derringer to a .54 caplock Hawkin replica. There was also one revolver, an 1862 Pocket/Police .36.

Difficulty varies from simple assembly and final finish to finish shaping and inletting the stock for the lock, barrel, and furniture and fitting lockwork parts. Some even need the dovetails for sights and tenons located and cut. The revolver required that the lockwork parts be not only fitted, but timed and case hardened. I learned a lot, but wouldn't want to do it again.

Dixie rates the kits that they sell with a degree of difficulty rating from one to three, IIRC. IMO, they're pretty close to correct, if perhaps a trifle optimistic given the rather rudimentary instructions included with some kits and assumptions about what's acceptable functionally.

While I haven't had direct experience with the Traditions kit you're looking at, many of the Hawkin/Kentucky/Pennsylvania kits seem to be designed for people to be able to complete successfully with basic tools and skills.

IMO, unless the difference in price between the kit and the factory finished version is more than $50-60 (or you really want to do something different with yours) it's not very cost-efficient. You'll end up spending a lot more time and money than you bargained for, and Mr. Murphy will pay you a visit or two.

The upside is that, if you're patient and carefull, you'll have a finished rifle that's just the way you want it. Just don't expect your first effort to be perfect, or to be able to command anywhere near the price of the factory job on the used market.

 

[Chawbaccer]

I built a TC Hawken a long time ago, just had to finish sanding the stock and do a bit of contouring around the cheek piece. Light draw fileing of the barrel
I made a Kentucky rifle once too and it had lots of inletting to do and all of the brass peices were sand cast and had to be filed and polished up.

 

[4v50 Gary]

If you buy it, buy an under-rib and make it a half stock gun. It'll look better than a two piece full stock.

BTW, I've never built one of those.

 

[Tinker]

I've built a small Derringer and a .36 Pennsylvaina style long riflle from kits.

The rifle was a Pedersoli. I fine rasped and whittled the stock to mate evenly with all the brass furniture. It was coursely inletted from the factory. After that it was just a bunch of elbow grease, sand paper and finish with tung oil. All the brass (butt, patchbox, trigger guard, thimbles) were rough casted. Getting that stuff to polish was tougher than the wood work.

 

[Jim K]

When I worked as a gunsmith, I agreed (for some reason long forgotten) to assemble a rifle and a revolver from kits for a fellow who had taken one look and given up on them. I got paid quite well, and the guns turned out nice, but I vowed never to undertake anything like that again. What a pain in the ...er... neck.

Jim