Author Topic: Converting Knight Rifle to pistol (Read 897 times)

punisher · « **on:** January 05, 2005, 03:34:54 AM »

Hello all,
I have a "knight Wolverine" inline I purchased about 5 years ago and rarely use.
Thinking of trying to convert this to a pistol, but do know where to begin.

Any thoughts or comments ?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2005, 03:38:11 AM »

I know it is illegal in the US to convert a FIREARMS rifle to a FIREARMS handgun. I'm not certain if same applies to muzzle loaders but I think I'd check to be certain first and then proceed.

punisher · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2005, 03:50:24 AM »

Good point, did not think of that, but it makes sense.
Was a nice thought :--)

Two Bears · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2005, 08:25:31 AM »

I am doing the same thing with a Knight rifle of mine and I am going to bed it in to an Elk antler.
It is going to have a 15" barrel when I am done with it. I intend to mount new sights on the barrel as well. It should make a fine hand gun 50 cal with 50-60 gr. of Pyrodex powder.

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2005, 01:22:05 PM »

I think it would be OK since it is a muzzleloader. I know that you need a tax stamp from the BATF to make a short barreled NFA weapon as it is called.

It would be a neat hunting handgun. Sort of a BP XP 100

Busta · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2005, 02:37:40 PM »

Knight used to make a BP Pistol "Hawkeye" if my memory serves me right. Might do a search for one, who knows you might find one cheap.

punisher · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2005, 03:11:44 PM »

Wolftrack,
You doing the barrel work yourself ?

Two Bears · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2005, 08:07:00 PM »

Punisher,

No, But I have a friend near where I live that builds a lot of rifles and does barrel work too. It should only cost about $25-35 to cut and crown the barrel and then install the sights maybe another $25 or for the barrel to be complete.
I am going to do the bedding work on the Elk antler. should look pretty cool when I get it done...hopefully by bear season.

punisher · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2005, 12:39:48 AM »

Just curious,
Once cut down, do you use pistol black powder or just reduce the powder
you used previously ?

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2005, 07:34:08 AM »

So long as it doesn't take fixed cartridges the BATF doesn't care a bit. Firearms built before 1899, or replicas thereof that take obsolete unavailable ammunition, or that do not take a fixed cartridge are not technically firearms. They are relics, antiques, whatever. You can do almost anything to them. They are still dangerous weapons in most places, so you would need a permit to carry it concealed, but you could certainly hunt with one with nothing more than a hunting license.

jh45gun · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2005, 12:15:02 AM »

Quote from: willysjeep134

So long as it doesn't take fixed cartridges the BATF doesn't care a bit. Firearms built before 1899, or replicas thereof that take obsolete unavailable ammunition, or that do not take a fixed cartridge are not technically firearms. They are relics, antiques, whatever. You can do almost anything to them. They are still dangerous weapons in most places, so you would need a permit to carry it concealed, but you could certainly hunt with one with nothing more than a hunting license.

I would bet money the BATF would take a dim view of any cartridge shooting rifle ( be it a relic or antiques or repo) being cut down to a pistol wether the cartridge is obsolete or not. A muzzle loader to the BATF is considered basically a non gun so adapting one to a pistol would not be a problem with the exception of a few models. Any muzzle loader like the NEF huntsman Or the TC Encores that can take a other barrel would be prohibited Also the Mossberg shot guns with muzzle loading barrels ect.