Tearlachblair
Member
Anyone have any advice for putting together a blackpower pistol kit (in this case a Philadelphia Derringer). Have you noticed the kits being better or worse than ones that were put together by the factory?
The infamous BP kits
- Thread starter Tearlachblair
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In most cases, the kits are exactyly the same pieces from which the factories start. The only difference in the final gun is the amount of skill & time you put into the finishing process.
Many years ago, my wife bought me a TC Hawken kit. On the downside, it took me 7 months of effort (a few hours each day) to bring it all together. (Most of this time was spent on shaping & sanding to "90% finished" stock, and draw-filing the barrel. On the plus side, a few years later I had the completed rifle appraised for insurance, I got a lot of pride out of the fact that the appraiser didn't believe it was a kit gun until he saw the "K" stamped inside the stock.
Many years ago, my wife bought me a TC Hawken kit. On the downside, it took me 7 months of effort (a few hours each day) to bring it all together. (Most of this time was spent on shaping & sanding to "90% finished" stock, and draw-filing the barrel. On the plus side, a few years later I had the completed rifle appraised for insurance, I got a lot of pride out of the fact that the appraiser didn't believe it was a kit gun until he saw the "K" stamped inside the stock.
Steve499
Member
If your kit was made by Palmetto, it may never go together right.
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=208183&highlight=palmetto+kit
Steve
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=208183&highlight=palmetto+kit
Steve
The difficulty of the kit really depends on the maker. Some are so sloppy that they can never really be made to fit right. Most work out fine if you invest the time and pay attention to the fine details. The major companies such as CVA, Traditions, Lyman, Thompson, Pedersoli, etc., make good kits and you shouldn't have any trouble with them. I haven't built a Palmetto kit, but I've heard plenty of negatives about them. I have built a few Classic Arms kits and they are pure crap! It's a shame because they make a few unique pieces that nobody else offers.
Which kit are you considering?
Which kit are you considering?
I bought the same "infamous kit" a philadelphia derringer made by Ardesa.
I was expecting 90% fitted and the pleasure of an "easy" fit and finish with reasonnable work and attention. Never been able to figure how to fit parts together without grinding or adding .2" of material (wood or iron) here and there. Finally sold it 5$ to a friend with a lot of warnings!. He had no more success.
Since I bought the same of the same manufacturer, new and ready for use. And I really enjoy-it, this one is my favorit BP gun, only need a glass of hot water to clean the barrel !.
I was expecting 90% fitted and the pleasure of an "easy" fit and finish with reasonnable work and attention. Never been able to figure how to fit parts together without grinding or adding .2" of material (wood or iron) here and there. Finally sold it 5$ to a friend with a lot of warnings!. He had no more success.
Since I bought the same of the same manufacturer, new and ready for use. And I really enjoy-it, this one is my favorit BP gun, only need a glass of hot water to clean the barrel !.
Ed Gallop
Member
My advise... Take your time. It is all about having fun tinkering and feeling good about the outcome, not how much money you can save. Saving money is not a good motivation for any hobby in my opinion. If it was I likely wouldn't have completed the first kit. Off and on, over the past 40 years, I've built 2 Kentucky pistols, a Hawkins, Zouave, Walker, Spiller & Burr, and now I'm looking for another not that my interest has rekindled. Ed.
Ed Gallop
Member
Ooops. I double posted by not being signed in and not knowing the first had posted. I'm new to this forum. Sorry... Ed.
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