Lyman Plains Flintlock

[loose noose]

Well I finally ordered a Lyman Plains Flintlock Rifle in the kit form from Midsouth. It'll give me something to do during the hot summer here in Southern Nevada. The best price I found anywhere was at Midsouth. After reading all the reviews on the production BP the Lyman seemed to have the best. Allthough it's not a Kentucky, I believe I can get a full stock for it and make it into a custom Kentucky for me anyhow. What do you guys think about this?, all comments are welcome, especially about getting a full length stock.

 

[Oldnamvet]

One of the biggest improvements I made to my GPR was to replace the triggers with Deerslayer triggers http://www.redaviscompany.com/1007.html

I couldn't believe how much nicer those triggers felt when you pulled them.

I also replaced the lock with an L&R lock. Ignition seemed a bit faster.
If you keep the supplied stock, there is a lot of wood you can remove from the butt to make it look more sleek. Reducing the size of the cheekpiece also changes the look a lot.

Lots of fun to experiment with those rifles. And they shoot well too.

 

[mykeal]

The Deerstalker triggers are an improvement, although I didn't see it as greatly better. I've left the Lyman triggers on my percussion GPR as it just wasn't worth the $40. I have not changed the lock for the same reason.

You will need to 'break in' the GPR barrel, either by shooting about 100 rounds or gently lapping it. Group sizes will be remarkably better once that's done.

Be prepared for a few minor problems with the kit; the tang screw holes didn't line up well, the touch hole is a tad small and may not be perfectly placed, and the escutcheon screws are worthless.

Regarding a full length stock: it certainly can be done but I think you're in for a hard job. The GPR has a hooked breech barrel with two forestock wedges. Full stock rifles tend to use pinned barrels with fixed tangs. You'll need to change the barrel tenons, of course, which will involve modifying the under rib also.

All in all, however, the GPR is a very nice rifle. Have patience and you'll be very happy with the results.

 

[loose noose]

Mykeal, thanks for your input, I figured it would be quite a chore, but I've got nearly the whole summer to work on it. Hopefully I'll have it done by BP season this fall in Northern Nevada. I like hunting up by Ely, and just North of Pioche, for the big Muleys.

 

[loose noose]

Well my new Lyman GPR is set to arrive this Tuesday, I'm hoping the barrel is in the white, as I plan to brown it, even if it isn't I can allways remove the blue, and then brown the barrel. Yep I'm getting excited to do something here, it's been so darn hot all ya want to do is sit in your a/c home and twittle your thumbs.

 

[1KPerDay]

I've finished 3 great plains rifle kits and none came with a finished barrel. Plum/heat brown worked great for me.

 

[Trad Archer]

I have one in 54 caliber. I absolutely love that gun. I am sure you will love yours too.
Best of luck and good hunting.

 

[loose noose]

1kperday, I browned a kentucky .45 percussion using that same solution, fact is I used the oven in the City Jail where I was a police officer and put the browning solution on the gun, worked fine, infact I still have that firearm. Too bad I don't have access to a large oven any more. Besides I don't think that would be politically correct any more. Reckon I'll have to use a torch.

 

[1KPerDay]

LOL I used a torch on all of mine.

 

[loose noose]

Well, my Lyman GPR arrived today, and I must say the stock is absolutely beautiful, much better than I had expected from a production gun. I just put the main parts together this evening, and it looks as though I'm going to have a lot of shaping to do. Also the tang looks like it's going to have a lot of tweaking to do to square that up with the breach plug. Like I said I needed a project to keep me occupied this summer so it looks like I got me a dandy. What can I say other than I'm pleased.

 

[mykeal]

Don't overestimate those escutcheon screws. I suggest you get some #4x1/2 brass flathead screws; finding them with slots instead of phillips heads will be a challenge, however. Marine fastener suppliers often stock them, however. One possible source is Jamestown Distributors.

 

[loose noose]

Thanks mykeal, I did business with Jamestown Distributors before, decent place to work with, while working on a boat, that my son confiscated here recently, but that's another story. I never did put the escutcheons in place so I'll probably have to check out that place, although we have quite a few boat upholstery shops here locally, since we're on the Colorado River. I'm anxious to get started on that smoke pole. Best to all of you.

 

[BCRider]

When you go shopping for screws take a magnet. Seems that a lot of so called "brass" screws are simply plated steel. In particular the ones with anything but slotted heads.

So far all the true brass screws I've found have simple slotted heads. So that can be an idicator.

 

[loose noose]

Thanks BC Rider, I'll keep that in mind. Started on the barrel just before dinner was ready, did some draw filing; allthough the barrel looks pretty good, guess I'll just have to polish it up a bit. I'll have to locate some Browning solution. The butt plate is going to need some TLC, quite a bit of rough spots to file down. Thank God I've got A/C in the garage.

 

[BCRider]

Just an added thought on the idea of going with a full length stock. My own GPR is already pretty heavy. And I found that it tends to balance slightly front heavy for how I like to hold the gun. Adding MORE front end weight with a full stock would seem to me to be folly as it would upset the balance even more.

Now if you are willing to tackle the idea of swamping or otherwise reducing the amount of metal in the barrel towards the muzzle to compensate for this then you may find that you can achieve a nice balance AND still have a full length stock.

 

[mykeal]

...by which time he has replaced both the stock and the barrel...

 

[loose noose]

I don't know about replacing the stock on this smoke pole now, like I said it is really a beautiful hunk of wood. Might just see how it turns out, of course later on I just might go to a full stock. Decisions, decisions.

 

[loose noose]

Well, I finally got the hardware all polished out, and just about ready for the browning proceedure. I also got the barrel pretty well done, at least I got the idiotic print on the left side of the barrel polished off, you know "Use Black Powder Only" and also "Be sure to read the owners manual before shooting". Absolutely unbelievable what these lawyer buffs have done to the firearm industry. I'm wondering when they're going to require a spent round ball before purchasing a BP arm. Oh shhh, I better not speak too loud big brother might be listening!

 

[BCRider]

I actually don't mine the "for black powder only". But that's where I draw the line.