Author Topic: Parts for building a rifle?  (Read 909 times)

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Offline Bowhunter57

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Parts for building a rifle?
« on: October 24, 2007, 01:14:41 AM »
I'm considering the purchase of the parts for a Tennessee Poor Boy rifle. Any links, sources, etc. that can be provided will be greatly appreciated.
I've never built a rifle before, but have owned my share of production and original muzzleloader shotguns, rifles and revolvers. I want to build a percussion 50 caliber rifle and will most likely brown the barrel. I'd prefer the stock to be cut and ready for the hardware to be installed, but not stained, finished, etc.

Your opinions and experiences are appreicated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57
Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein

Offline ncsurveyor

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2007, 01:19:56 AM »

Offline captchee

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2007, 03:21:16 AM »

what your looking for is a gun in the white .
 the kits from track of the wolf and pecatonica river  are builders kits . this means you will need to finish inletting , do the drilling and tapping  as well as all finish shaping

Parts can be  purchased through a number of places .
Jim chambers , track of the wolf ,pecatonica river, the rifle Shoppe ,   the gun works , Dixie gun works ……. The list goes on and on
 However again if your looking for something like you said at the last of your request then you need to find a gun in the white .
 Jim chambers , north start west  or most any of the builders  could supply you with such a piece

Offline StrawHat

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2007, 06:57:12 AM »
Bowhunter57

Putting together a rifle from a kit is not a complicated process.  Keep your sharp tools sharp and back up your sandpaper with a sanding block.  A pre-inlet stock helps also.

If you are in the midwest you might consider a trip to Lodi Ohio to visit with the Kindigs at The Log Cabin Shop.

I've been going there for over 40 years and they have never steered me wrong.

You can also find them on line.

Also, if I remember correctly, Tennessee Valley Arms makes such a kit as you request.  And the owners were the first to offer a Poor Boy rifle to the market.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you get.

"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result"  Winston Churchill

"A law without a punishment is merely advice."  anonymous

Offline longcaribiner

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2007, 11:00:55 AM »
Kits are anything from a saw mill slab and some metal bits  to semi finished 98% inlet ready-to-shoot-but-not-quite- finished guns.

Dixie gun works will sell you anything from one extreme to the other.   25 ys ago, there were dozens of relatively good kits available nearly everywhere.    Today they are only a few and the price is relatively high compared to the hey day of the 1970's and 1980's.  My first CVA kit set me back only $40.00 and made a nice 45 cal flint pistol.  The other thing is that a kit can go down in value if given a rush crappy effort. I've seen some that were more aesthetically pleasing before the kit was opened.  Detail, incredible attention to detail makes a huge difference in the end result. 

Let me suggest Chuck Dixon's Book, "Recreating the American Long Rifle" as a primer before beginning work.  The tips and diagrams are excellent.  It shows how to build a rifle nearly from scratch, but the information about finish and how and why the old time gun smiths did things helps alot.     It shows some of the things to watch out for and why some short cuts will easily ruin a fine piece.

Offline forest2

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2007, 05:17:36 PM »
  The other thing is that a kit can go down in value if given a rush crappy effort. I've seen some that were more aesthetically pleasing before the kit was opened.  Detail, incredible attention to detail makes a huge difference in the end result. 

 AHMEN, ya don't wanna jump into a 600$ gun kit as your first attempt. A lyman great plains capper is a good starter kit.

 Bowhunter 57,? Do you have a Dremel Tool?  If so, throw it away! It won't help with a kit!

 Another good book "The Art of Building the Pennsyvania Longrifle" by Ehrig,Miller and Dixon.

 best money spent is 20$ for a book before ya even look at a kit.


Offline ratgunner

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2007, 05:04:41 PM »
Yep,there are also video/dvd's out there on building a rifle.Chambers comes to mind.Best to see what your getting into first.
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Offline StrawHat

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2007, 01:28:43 AM »
Bowhunter57,

Another option would be to buy a finished rifle (new or used) and refinish it to your liking.

That way, the hard work is completed.

Several companies offer (or at least used to offer) "poor boys" for sale.
"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result"  Winston Churchill

"A law without a punishment is merely advice."  anonymous

Offline Bowhunter57

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2007, 06:06:45 AM »
Thank you, for all your replies!

I'd like to get started on this as a winter project. All the information is greatly appreciated. :)

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein

Offline smokepolehall

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Re: Parts for building a rifle?
« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2007, 03:06:13 PM »
Tn. Vally Mfr. in Corinth Ms. builds and sells ML's kits and parts.
Keep yer nose into the wind & slip from tree to tree in the shadows, you have come fer pilgrim! Miss Vixen & Miss Phoenix, I am The Vixenmaster!