Traditions Kentucky Pistol Kit

[AmbulanceDriver]

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.....

 

[AntiqueCollector]

Well, it is a kit. Sounds better than the classic arms kits anyways.

I've considered getting a Traditions flintlock kentucky pistol kit, but I've heard some bad things about their flintlocks so haven't decided yet...

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Sounds like the kit I bought over 30 years ago for $19.99. I got half way through and gave up. Finally sold it at a garage sale for $20.00 6 years ago. With the prices on kit guns only being $20-30 less than an assembled gun I have no desire to o that route again.

 

[Plink]

I've never built a kit that didn't need quite a bit of tinkering to the inletting and a lot of final shaping before sanding and finishing. It's just the nature of the beast. Better to have a little extra wood needing removed than to have too little in places! I encountered that very thing on a Lyman Great Plains Rifle kit. It's beyond frustrating.

 

[AmbulanceDriver]

I guess my only real gripe is that they do sell this same pistol as a finished product, completely assembled and ready to go.... Why they can't make certain to program their milling machines a little more accurately, that's what bugs me. I can understand an eigth of an inch, or even a quarter inch in the wood. But I was removing as much as half an inch of wood in some places (the trigger guard, specifically). That crosses over to "lazy" in my book. I understand not doing the "fine" finishing on the wood work, but at least get it close!

The steel, on the other hand, there's no excuse. They need to make sure that the channels for the sights are properly milled.

 

[mothernatureson]

kit

First thing anyone needs to do is , "throw the dremel away from your bench while working on a kit"! Its sounds like you are not a real patient or skilled with tools. Use a sharp knife, and TAKE YOUR TIME! Give us your address, and we will find it when you have your next garage sale.

 

[Plink]

Hang in there on your kit. Have patience, eyeball how things are supposed to fit and think of the best way to make them do so. I've built a number of Traditions kits and they have always turned out really well. They all took a lot of work though.

Cap holes not being straight is common. Glue toothpicks in them, cut flush and redrill. A small triangle file will clean up the dovetails. I've always just HATED having to re-engineer the inlet for the trigger guards, but I've had to on several of the kits. Go slow, test fit, and take off a little at a time until it fits. I cheated and took a little off the brass trigger guard itself, as that was faster!

I think they rough mill and machine the parts, then they are fitted up to seperate machines for the final precision operations. It seems that the parts for kits are pulled at the rough milling stage and shipped. We get to do all the final operations. I've also heard rumors that they toss all the rejects into the kits. I'm somewhat tempted to believe that from the work I've had to do to make things fit, though in the end, they always did fit fine.

 

[AmbulanceDriver]

First thing anyone needs to do is , "throw the dremel away from your bench while working on a kit"! Its sounds like you are not a real patient or skilled with tools. Use a sharp knife, and TAKE YOUR TIME! Give us your address, and we will find it when you have your next garage sale.

Actually, I've been playing with woodworking for almost 20 years... I really enjoy working with wood. I was simply relating my frustrations in regards to this particular kit, and what my expectations of a kit would be. If you'll read my first post, when it came time to open up the channel for the trigger guard for example,

So out comes the dremel again and the wood knives to make that channel all purty....

I don't use the dremel exclusively. But using it with a flexshaft, sanding drums and other bits, it can be a very useful tool. Especially when trying to achieve a specific contour and working against the grain.

 

[Old Dragoon]

I suspect that your expectations were a tad high for this particular kit. some are assemble and finish, others are far from that. I suspect that this kit was in the middle of the two.

But you got it goingand that is the bottom line.
Let us know how it shoots.
Being a woodworker I bet it shines!

 

[mothernatureson]

kit gun

Sorry Ambulance Driver, I did sound harsh. I admit to not reading your earlier posts. Actually, I have used a dremel in some of my gun projects, cause me major headaches! I do like the filing and fitting on the kits, its a good way to get familiar with how everything fits. Have fun shooting!
mothernatureson