If you could build from scratch

I'm working on a design for an AR-15 lower made of stamped steel and/or welded sheet steel, using the techniques and styling cues of the Ruger Standard pistol receivers. I've also been working out how to hammer one up on the forge.
Another project involves designing a laminated wood stock and a remote trigger system to convert pump shotguns into bullpups. Converting bolt-action shotguns into pump bullpups is a little more complex, but that just adds to the challenge.

When I was working there was a tool maker in the shop that copied all of the dimensions of a Ruger Super Blackhawk and made his own over a period of time on his lunch hour. I never did learn how it well it shot but it was one fine looking handgun.

ontarget said:

I'd go for historic built with modern metallurgy. Probably a Kentucky style flintlock. I've always wanted one of those.

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Easily enough done with a modern kit. Allow me to recommend Dunlap Woodcrafts, they do an excellent kit with all the nasty inletting done for you. Or Track of the Wolf.

I'd build a Carcano rifle that fires rounds that change direction mid-flight.

But that wouldn't be from scratch

Mike OTDP said:

Easily enough done with a modern kit. Allow me to recommend Dunlap Woodcrafts, they do an excellent kit with all the nasty inletting done for you. Or Track of the Wolf.

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Plan2Live said:

I'd build a Carcano rifle that fires rounds that change direction mid-flight.

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I totally caught that. LOL.

An ordinary gosh-darned single shot .22 pistol. Probably break action.

As far as I can tell, there isn't a more hated and unpopular pistol type on the market. There is absolutely nothing other than antiques and high dollar target pistols. There's some bolt action bench pistols, but I want something suitable for firing offhand. Seems like the only way to get one is to build my own.

kozak6 said:

An ordinary gosh-darned single shot .22 pistol. Probably break action.

As far as I can tell, there isn't a more hated and unpopular pistol type on the market. There is absolutely nothing other than antiques and high dollar target pistols. There's some bolt action bench pistols, but I want something suitable for firing offhand. Seems like the only way to get one is to build my own.

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T/C Contender. Not an antique, and I would consider it a "normal" gun, not a target gun.

I bought a used one with a 10" barrel not that long ago for around $300.

So far I have put together a 1911 using a bare frame and assorted parts bought online, a lyman great plains rifle (.54 caplock in a kit), and a .22 magnum falling block rifle I built from scratch using an aftermarket 10/22 barrel. I have a pretty good fabrication type shop but no mill or lathe.

I would love to build a 1911 in 9mm, but that is a much more expensive build than a .45. I would also really like building a falling block similar to a ruger #1, and chamber it in a cartridge legal for ohio deer hunting.

bersaguy said:

PPK with a frame mounted safety

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Plus a lower mag release.

I am in no position to do it, but to pipe dream:
A semi replica of the .45 Remington-Thompson caliber Thompson Model 1923, originally 14" barrel, in-line buttstock, horizontal forearm, folding bipod.
Caliber changed to .45 Win Mag, barrel length to 16.25", aluminum grip frame, steel receiver with original Blish Lock design.
Why?
To replicate a passed-over design for pure historic nostalgia (there are not too many extant M1923s).
To test the M1923 concept: an intermediate weapon between the M1921 Thompson and the M1918 BAR.
To give the maligned Blish Lock theory a chance. It was not adequate for .30-06, was not needed with .45 ACP, the standard WWI US issue small arms cartridges in use in 1923. But it actually seemed to work at .45 Remington-Thompson, .351 Win, .30 Carbine pressures.

Probably no value other than testing historical concepts. A .45 Win Mag M1923 would probably prove to be very heavy and less effective in comparison to an AR in .458 SOCOM or .50 Beowulf.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson_submachine_gun#Production Model 1923
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Remington–Thompson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Magnum

I would make single-shot dueling pistols that used a commonly available cartridge,,,
Probably .38 special or .22 LR.

They could be as simple as a break-open of maybe a rolling block,,,
And would be sold in cased consecutive numbered pairs.

But they would need to be elegant as well as functional.

Aarond

.

A copy of the Sheridan Knocabout. Second handgun I fired in my life, BTW. Cheap, sturdy and no need to worry about magazines.

Another one I'd like to try my hand at building would be a .22 or .25 flintlock rifle, because I've never seen any commercially available before.

Bfh_auto said:

I would build a Ferguson rifle that fires .452 bullets. I will never own one so dream big.

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I custom built a sporting Ferguson rifle that shoots a .535 round ball.



SC45-70

Nice work! Did you get the lock at Track of the Wolf?

Bolt action single shot thumbhole stock in 6mm Remington

Break open .357 mag.

entropy said:

Nice work! Did you get the lock at Track of the Wolf?

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Thank you
Yes the lock (Chambers Deluxe Siler) came from TOTW.
SC45-70

A Walther PPK in 9mm Luger.
A small light varmint bolt action, like a Cricket, in 5.7x28mm

A 1903 Springfield scaled up for the 50 BMG round.
Several 1903 Springfield actions in Left hand action for my Southpaw son.

420

Broomhandle Bolo in 9mm and a S&W Terrier in .380 ACP.

In 10mm

Looks like something Tinker would build.

Randy in Arizona said:

A 1903 Springfield scaled up for the 50 BMG round.

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Mauser beat you to it in 1918.

Considering that NFA doesn't apply in Finland and newly manufactured full auto firearms are well within my licensing possibilities, I'll take the liberty to deviate from the OP's premise and go with an M134D-T scaled down to .22lr.

Other than that, I've always like the concept of combination guns, especially drillings and vierlings, and to combat their major drawback of excessive weight it would be interesting to build one out of lightweight materials like titanium, scandium and carbon/aramid fibers.