Percussion Pistol Kit

[Grandpa Markley]

Looking to get a summer gun project going and thought a kit gun would be fun. Any suggestions on which? Looking to spend around $250, quite a few in that range. Is the "trapper" model with the double set trigger worth the money, or just stick with a single set and get a little better quality gun overall? Intend to use it mostly for fun and making people say "wow!" Thanks guys.

 

[DoubleDeuce 1]

I would spend the money on a Thompson Center Patriot pistol. They aren't being made anymore, but are available. I saw a few on other sites for $250.00. The Trapper model is a knock-off of the Patriot. If you like the Trapper, you'd LOVE the Patriot.

 

[Franchise42]

I have a replica 1858 Remington. Are you only looking at single shot or are you looking at revolvers?

 

[mykeal]

The Lyman Plains pistol kit is an excellent gun and is available for just $209 in .50 or .54 cal from Midsouth Shooter's Supply.

Rev: the .54 is currently out of stock at Midsouth but may be available elsewhere.

 

[Grandpa Markley]

Looking at a single shot pistol. Funny how there isn't a really concrete name for them. I spose the bet thing to call it would be a "frontier" pistol. t/c patriot or a traditions single shot was what I was looking at. Something to eat up some of my time.

 

[barneyrw]

Funny how there isn't a really concrete name for them.

Caplock pistol kit or flintlock pistol kit

 

[Grandpa Markley]

caplock

 

[KenHulme]

Grandpa - there are specific names, but not everyone uses them, or uses them correctly...

Gun is generic - as in a gun, not a broom or a shovel.

Handgun implies one hand operation, not a shoulder held gun.

Pistol in black powder circles is a single shot, single or multiple barrel handgun. In cartridge circles a pistol is a multi-shot semi-automatic clip-fed handgun.

Revolver is a single barrel multi-shot revolving cylinder handgun. Sometimes called a "wheelie gun".

 

[BHP FAN]

more often ''wheel gun'', than ''wheelie'' gun, which would probably denote a pair of sneakers that could turn into skates, with a gun.

 

[Grandpa Markley]

Thanks for the clarification gentlemen. I guess the question still stands of what would be a good "caplock pistol kit?" That should be right, right? lol Your help is always appreciated.

 

[Pancho]

Plus one for Mykeal's suggestion of a Lyman Plains pistol kit. If your going to put your efforts into a kit you might as well start out with a sound base with affordable quality.
36 years ago I bought a Pennsylvania kit from Dixie, I didn't realize until I was done that the barrel was bent............wall hanger.

 

[hang fire]

I picked up this .45 parts kit for this caplock few years back for 125 bucks when the company went out of business. I put it together for the youngest daughter, but the son-in-law laid instant claim to it when he found it could bust clays at 100 yards.

 

[BHP FAN]

nicely done Kentucky pistol!

 

[ChrisHarris]

If anybody knows where to get TC Patriot pistol kits for $250 - let me know. I've got lots of cash.

Given the criteria set forth in the opening post, I'd say a Patriot pistol is out of the question. I don't know if TC ever made a Patriot kit, but I assure you that if they did, and you could find one today in NIB condition - it most certainly would cost you more than $250. Bare stocks go for $250++ on ebay. No barrel, no triggers, no lock, no hardware or furniture of any kind - just a bare bones hunk of wood -- $250 or more. Usually more.

The traditions Trapper can be purchased for under $250 if you like saw handle pistols. As far as I know Lyman doesn't make any saw handle kits. Given a choice, I'd take the Lyman Plains over Traditions.

 

[mykeal]

Lyman's only pistol kit is the Great Plains pistol. Available in .50 or .54, percussion only.

 

[Nappers]

I bought a factory made Trapper, I thought of getting the Trapper kit for another gun. It's an awesome shooter, can't imagine the TC model if the Trapper is a good shooter!

The Gun Works over here on the West coast sells Lyman, Traditions and Thompson Center ML's.

Joe and Suzi are very sweet people to boot!

 

[ChrisHarris]

I have never shot a Traditions Trapper. I do own 2 TC Patriot pistols and both have .45 barrels. I also have an extra .36 barrel for one of them. They are 'deadly' accurate and really fun to shoot.

 

[arcticap]

Dixie has the Pedersoli Kentucky .50 kit on sale for $235, while the Pedersoli .45 Kentucky kit is priced at $260,
For comparison the Traditions Kentucky .50 kit costs $168.
Between the Pedersoli and Traditions Kentucky kits there would be a difference in the quality of the wood and the fit and finish.
The Traditions Trapper is a very popular and accurate .50 pistol. But I would be more confident about the final fit and finish of any Traditions factory built pistol compared to one of their pistol kits. Their pistol kits often don't come out as good as their factory built guns.
For one handed target shooting, the Trapper would be a better choice because of its lighter double set trigger and more ergonomic grip. Another plus is that it also has an "adjustable" rear sight.
Dixie also sells a Deer Creek Hawken .50 pistol kit for $175 that has good reviews.
Which model to choose is mostly a matter of caliber, personal taste and the cost.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_162_194

http://www.possibleshop.com/pistol-kit.html

 

[Jaymo]

Uhh, pistols and handguns are the same thing. Revolvers are pistols. Semiauto pistols are just autoloading pistols.
My favorite pistols are single shots, double or multiple barreled, revolving, and autoloading.
I'm not prejudiced.

The TC Patriot is a nice one. My only BP non-revolving pistols are a CVA Colonial .45 caplock and a Pedersoli 20 gauge Howdah.
I keep looking for a Patriot for a good price but have had no luck.
Guess the Howdah will have to do. Even if it is about 4.5 pounds.

 

[ChrisHarris]

You won't find a TC Patriot for a good price. LOL!! I paid through the nose for the 2 that I have.

Thats why I said earlier, if anybody knows where to get TC Patriot kits for $250 - I've got tons of cash. I'd buy all I could get my greedy hands on for that price.

 

[Jaymo]

Yep. That's why I haven't bought one yet.
I've considered the CVA Trapper and the Lyman.

 

[scrat]

hang fire did you put a stain on the wood. if so what stain did you use. i like that dark color

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Gramps: Don't know exactly what you have in mind, other than a perc muzzleloader kit.

On the on-line auctions some CVA or Traditions guns of the past sell fairly cheap. The guy down the street from me, buys CVA Kentucky pistols when he can get them cheap and reworks them. Cuts the stocks down and adds a barrel rib and new thimble and turns them into rather decent looking "Mtn Man" style guns. He refinishes the stocks, browns the steel. etc. I think he has done three so far.

 

[hang fire]

April 1, 2012, 07:49 PM #22
scrat
Member



Join Date: January 27, 2007
Location: Monrovia, CA
Posts: 6,717 hang fire did you put a stain on the wood. if so what stain did you use. i like that dark color
__________________
MOLON LABE

IIRC, I used Birchwood Casey Plum Brown, it contains enough nitric acid to react well on maple for a nice stain.


I have used the BC PB for years for darker stain, as on this LH rocklock hunting rifle I put together.