AmbulanceDriver
Member
So, the other day I got a hankerin' for another BP pistol. I actually wanted a flintlock pistol, but SW didn't have any. All they had were the Traditions kits. So, being new to the "kit gun" scene, I went with the cheaper of the two, the Kentucky pistol.
Now, I haven't gotten her to the range yet, so I don't know how well she shoots... But that thing was a major PITA to assemble!!!!!
First off I tried to "dry fit" everything together (learned that one from building plastic models) and see how fit & finish were....
In a word, *HORRIBLE*
The first mess was that the lock didn't fit in the channel that was cut out for it. So I had to take a dremel and some sanding disks to it to make a more accurate opening for the lock mechanism. Then, once the lock actually fit the hole, several bits & bobbins of wood inside had to be cleaned up (and by cleaned up I mean sanded round from square, or considerably opened up) in order for the lock mechanism to actually work.....
Next, the trigger guard. Wait. What's this? The slot milled out for the trigger guard isn't big enough either? SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!! So out comes the dremel again and the wood knives to make that channel all purty....
Oh look. The flat spring that holds the ramrod in place is *too* flat....
<bend bend *sproing* curse hunt for stupid spring>
Oops. The barrel channel isn't exactly flush. There's some marked tension in the forward part of the stock pulling the wood up to the barrel....
*sigh*
Oh, and the holes for the end cap aren't drilled straight in the wood...
*double sigh*
Oops. Wouldn't you know it? the channels for the front and rear sight in the barrel aren't quite "clean" (lots of little metal burrs from the milling process)
Clean that up with some sandpaper... And the sights are *still* way tight in there... Actually marred the sides a little bit because a brass punch was deforming trying to drive the sights into their channels....
Finally got it all stained up, assembled. Snapped a cap, and look, sparks come out the muzzle.... YAAAAY! at least it WORKS....
Now I just need to find time to go out in the woods and see what I can put some .50 caliber holes in a target... At least get minute of berm accuracy.....
Now, I haven't gotten her to the range yet, so I don't know how well she shoots... But that thing was a major PITA to assemble!!!!!
First off I tried to "dry fit" everything together (learned that one from building plastic models) and see how fit & finish were....
In a word, *HORRIBLE*
The first mess was that the lock didn't fit in the channel that was cut out for it. So I had to take a dremel and some sanding disks to it to make a more accurate opening for the lock mechanism. Then, once the lock actually fit the hole, several bits & bobbins of wood inside had to be cleaned up (and by cleaned up I mean sanded round from square, or considerably opened up) in order for the lock mechanism to actually work.....
Next, the trigger guard. Wait. What's this? The slot milled out for the trigger guard isn't big enough either? SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!! So out comes the dremel again and the wood knives to make that channel all purty....
Oh look. The flat spring that holds the ramrod in place is *too* flat....
<bend bend *sproing* curse hunt for stupid spring>
Oops. The barrel channel isn't exactly flush. There's some marked tension in the forward part of the stock pulling the wood up to the barrel....
*sigh*
Oh, and the holes for the end cap aren't drilled straight in the wood...
*double sigh*
Oops. Wouldn't you know it? the channels for the front and rear sight in the barrel aren't quite "clean" (lots of little metal burrs from the milling process)
Clean that up with some sandpaper... And the sights are *still* way tight in there... Actually marred the sides a little bit because a brass punch was deforming trying to drive the sights into their channels....
Finally got it all stained up, assembled. Snapped a cap, and look, sparks come out the muzzle.... YAAAAY! at least it WORKS....
Now I just need to find time to go out in the woods and see what I can put some .50 caliber holes in a target... At least get minute of berm accuracy.....