azredhawk44 said:
Hi! Long time shooter, first time to consider BP/kit guns.
How difficult are these to assemble? I saw the thread about the Harper's Ferry gun and it got me thinking it might be a fun toy.
I am reasonably competent with sandpaper, files, screwdrivers, etc. I load my own cartridges for smokeless powder in .30-30, .357mag, .44mag, .400corbon and .45acp and am very meticulous with that. I understand that BP is VERY different than smokeless.
I'd like to get a .50 caliber cap-and-ball Hawkens rifle. Would it be worth my while to get a kit, or should I just order from Cabela's or somewhere and forget building it myself?
BTW, I love knowing how things work. If it takes a month to complete, then that's fine. If I have to do research and ask lots of questions, that's fine.
If you're patient and have a workbench with a good vise, you can do it. I did it as a teenager, with Dad's tools and some of his advice. Turns out he's not the best fine woodworker; I was better at it. He's an engineer and skilled machinist (retired) now a jeweler (one-of a kind pieces).
There are a few reasons to get a kit, IMO.
1. Feeling of accomplishment and pride. My old Hawken from 25 years ago still hangs in my living room.
2. Brown finish. Blueing a pre-1850 muzzleloader is just wrong, historically, and aesthetically. It's easy to brown it yourself with a hand-held propane torch and patience.
3. Oiled-finish wood. You can spend all the time you want soaking it to bring out the grain, fine-sanding it, then doing it again, until you have a beautiful piece of wood.
Thoughts...
Avoid the brass-furnished abortions that are called "Hawkens." I have an example of the first one introduced, the Thompson/Center. I browned it, even the sights, and now that it's been 25 years so the brass has a dark patina, it finally looks something like an actual Hawken.
While they look "traditional", those guns were the first "modern muzzleloaders." They have some modern features, like fully-adjustable sights, and a neat quick-disconnect breech for easy cleaning. Hunters loved 'em and their siblings the Renegades, 25 years ago. They were practical muzzleloaders for the field. And they still are.
But for aesthetics, they fall short. Their barrels are too short, their stocks are blocky, and their triggerguards and other furniture, along with being made of the wrong metal, lack the sleek, beautiful style of a real Hawken rifle.
This shop sells high-end kits and rifles, and has a number of pictures of the real thing. It's something to peruse, but don't be discouraged: you can build a nice Hawken rifle without spending so much.
http://www.thehawkenshop.com/
Also look here.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/index.aspx
You can get an authentic Hawken kit for around 300 bucks. The Lyman Great Plains rifle is a good repro of a Hawken design.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/rifles.htm
This place has the kits for $309.
http://www.tjgeneralstore.com/lyman.htm
The Lyman isn't curly maple, etc. There's a reason the Hawken Shop's guns are a lot more expensive: the biggest reason is usually the wood. But the Lyman is a quality piece and a great rifle.
Enjoy!