.40 Cal Pistol
Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: FireArms, et cetera
Forum Name: Handguns, Pistols and SixGuns
Forum Description: Also, check out www.sixguns.com!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10833
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 22:30
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: .40 Cal Pistol
Posted By: 'Zonie
Subject: .40 Cal Pistol
Date Posted: 06 June 2006 at 13:18
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Once you start building guns it gets in your blood.
A few months ago I thought "I ought to build a little pistol but which one?" I looked at a plastic model of a pistol I built years ago and decided that would make a nice gun. I bought a .40 cal barrel (3/4 across the flats), a small Siler lock and a block of curly maple and started carving. Here are a few pictures of the results: 
You might notice that once a feller builds something like this, the job keeps growing. I built the box and lined it with red velveteen. The loading rod has a porcelain knob on it. 
Unless your REALLY into pistols if you get the bug to build a muzzleloader I would suggest building a rifle. The pistols are just as hard if not harder to build. The only advantage the pistol has is the cost of the barrel and wood is less. By the way, the total cost of the lock, stock barrel and other things to make this was around $190 not counting the box. ------------- Just Jim Keep your eyes peeled |
Replies:
Posted By: Rockydog
Date Posted: 06 June 2006 at 14:34
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What's the twist rate on a barrel like this? How many pieces have you built total? This thing looks pro all the way. Is that natural tiger stripe or did you burn it on with a rope? Sorry for all the questions but it looks so nice I've got to ask. RD PS. Just exactly how long did it take you to place those shots in the "Rapid Fire" pistol target? ------------- When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson |
Posted By: 'Zonie
Date Posted: 10 June 2006 at 16:40
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Rockydog: My thanks for the compliment.
I honestly don't know what the twist in the barrel is. It was made by Rahl and I bought it thru Vernon C Davis & Co. The groups you see were shot with a .390 roundball patched with .012 thick patches at 25 yards resting my hand on a padded block. The load was 25 grains of Swiss FFFg. How fast did I shoot the Rapid Fire target? Let's just say it was a little slower than the rules permit. The patch and ball fit made loading a bit of a chore. 
When I shot the group in the upper picture, I did not have a rear sight on the gun. I used the slot in the tang screw as a rear sight. This made the pistol shoot low. How low? Exactly one target low. I was aiming at the target posted right above the one shown.
The lower pictures target was shot after I made and installed the rear sight and, yes, I was shooting at this target.
I've been building muzzleloaders for a little over 11 years. The first couple of years I built factory kits like the CVA guns, TC Hawkens and C & B revolvers. I guess it was about 8 years ago that I started building pre-carved kits from places like Pecatonica River and Track of the Wolf. It is a hobby, so I don't hurry so those 8 years add up to about 14 rifles and 2 pistols. Both pistols were carved out of a solid block of wood. The pistol stock is Curly Maple (some folks call it Tiger Stripe or Fiddleback)stained with an alcohol based Walnut and Maple stain. The finish is Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. Somewhere around here are some pictures of my Tennessee and my French Indian era Flintlock if your interested. ------------- Just Jim Keep your eyes peeled |
Posted By: Rockydog
Date Posted: 13 June 2006 at 15:02
Zonie, Of course I'd like to see them. I started shooting BP guns back in about 1974. Long before ML was popular with the general public. I've never built one but shot some real dandies over the years owned by others. Including a .69 caliber fusee that had an arm under the gun that lowered a "crane" with a fuse into a hole in the top of the barrel. No flinch there of course.  RD------------- When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson |