New project - a kit

[ssb73q]

Hi, call me a glutton for punishment, but I ordered a Kentucky Pistol kit:

https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/traditionskentuckypistolkit50caliber.aspx

You know I hate gun kits more than gun confiscating liberals. However, I will use building this pistol as a sin offering and as a winter project. The completed pistol isn't much more money, but intend to do a better build. I will remove all the barrel markings except the serial number and nitre blue the barrel. The trigger will also have return spring installed.

One of the reviewers on the Dixie Gun Works suggests that the wood of the stock is maple. That would be nice if true.

Regards,
Richard

[Desperate Lee]

You go for it Richard. I really enjoy my single shots. My latest project is a stubby flint lock. Should be fun to play with.
Gary

[ssb73q]

Hi Gary, that looks pretty neat! Is that a kit or did you do all the piecing yourself? What are you going to do for sights?

Regards,
Richard

[Captainkirk]

Richard, is your kit percussion or flint?

[Desperate Lee]

Richard
No not a kit just parts i am assembling together. Not sure on sights yet. Got lots of work left on it for sure. Have to build my own vent. But thats the fun of it right.
Gary

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello Guys,

My son is working on another, not really a kit rather just misc. CVA parts.
Barrel is from CVA Hawken Pistol, 9-3/4" long.
Stock is from a CVA Mountain Pistol.
Everything else is CVA except we're making a barrel rib & putting a TC thimble on.
He did have the Belt Hook, Nose Cap, Wedge Plates and Trigger Guard nickel plated.
The Hawken Pistol shot fine, but the stocks were made for a gorilla. We dubbed it the club.

AntiqueSledMan.

[G Dog]

Richard
Got lots of work left on it for sure.  But thats the fun of it right.
Gary

Well sure, Lee.  I guess so.

I’ve been shooting guns since I was old enough to stay on a bicycle but have never built a kit.  Do they include pretty good plans for how to put one together?  Do the action parts fit together OK or do they need a great big tune-up?  Does a guy have to be a shop wizard to pull that off? 

A Kentucky pistol for less than 2 bills sounds very appealing.

[ssb73q]

Richard, is your kit percussion or flint?

Hi Kirk, the pistol is percussion. One other thing I will need to do with this pistol is to install a taller front sight than the one supplied. Reviewers said that the pistol shoots high. Like the other brands of similar pistols (Pedersoli and Lyman), the trigger pull is reported to be heavy where some work is required to smooth and lighten it. One reviewer of the factory completed Traditions pistol suggested, that considering the rework required, the kit is preferred over the factory finished pistol. A number of reviews said that although shooting high the Traditions Kentucky pistol is a tack driver. I have both percussion and flintlock Traditions Trapper pistols and can attest to their accuracy. Those pistols have double set triggers that is a huge advantage as it relates to accuracy.

Regards,
Richard

[Captainkirk]

Richard, I have the Lyman Plains Pistol, and it is a tack driver for sure.

[mazo kid]

I think you will enjoy building that pistol. You can modify shape to some extent, and tune the lock. I posted here (or maybe on the Remmie forum) about how to lighten the trigger pull by moving the pivot point from low on the trigger guard to using a pin through the trigger higher into the stock. And hey, you can practice pouring pewter nose candle butt caps too!

[ssb73q]

Hi, the Traditions Kentucky pistol kit arrived. All the parts were in a large plastic blister package. Initial fitting of parts shows some issues. The cutout for the lock isn't deep enough and there will be work fitting the brass nose piece. A lot of the stock is oversized where a lot of wood removal will be required. Unfortunately, the stock is not maple, but looks like birch. The upside is that wood removal will be easy. There is laser writing on two sides of the barrel. That includes the serial number. I would like to remove all that crap, but it will require removing the serial number in the process. I could re-stamp the serial number on the bottom of the barrel. Removal of the bolster would make sanding off the barrel writing easy, but I can't get the bolster off the barrel. The bolster may be welded in place. Removing the writing off that side of the barrel will require hand filing and/or sanding.

Regards,
Richard

[Hawg]

The serial number doesn't mean anything anyway. Its not like the BATFE is going to knock down your door if you take it off.

[ssb73q]

Hi Hawg, unfortunately I live in New York State where I must have any owned handgun on my pistol permit. If there is ever an issue with the police shooting the Traditions Kentucky pistol, they will want to see the serial number and see it also on my pistol permit. Also, if ever stolen I can provide a serial number in case the pistol is ever found.

Regards,
Richard

[Captainkirk]

That's right...protect your own best interests. You never know if someone could steal it and try to assassinate Lincoln again...

[ssb73q]

Hi, some progress has been made fitting the metal parts to the stock. This kit sure doesn't have the precision of a Pedersoli kit. A lot of wood will need to be removed, see photos.

Regards,
Richard