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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: flehto on May 23, 2021, 06:15:58 PM

Title: A story of my first LR build
Post by: flehto on May 23, 2021, 06:15:58 PM
Having gotten the urge to build a LR after completing a TC Hawken kit and w/o any research what so ever, I started a Beck styled LR and after little thought as to components, started this  LR from a blank which I mistakenly thought would yield a Beck. The result is shown below and normally I don't name my guns but this LR was an exception....and its name was "Old  Ugly" and it still is. As "its"  creator I take full responsibility  for this "mistake".

This "creation" which had a super accurate Douglas bbl soon proved its worth on squirrels and seeing it was a .45, only head hits were in "its" future. The bbl was 7/8" straight  X 42" lg and although most would say it was muzzle heavy, it was "right" for me....I'm 6'-2" tall and welcomed "its" imbalance and steady hold.

A major mistake I made was the choice of a flintlock.....in a couple different ways. Physically the lock's  size  didn't "mate" up w/ the bbl and my "oversize" stock....and the small Siler at that time wasn't  a "good performer".... the distance between the cock and frizzen at half cock  was too small and the flint length had to be short which resulted in the frizzen not toggling over after a few shots  due to  flint wear. This I corrected and the lock performed "its duty" thereafter.

Spent many pleasant  hours in the woods for squirrels  w/ "Old Ugly" and finally decided it would be  ruffed grouse in the morning {had to run my setters} and  squirrels in the afternoon.....it was a Utopian schedule.

I've sold all my builds except my personal guns but never even thought of selling "Old Ugly" because I didn't want to "foist"  her negative, aesthetic  attributes on someone else....the LR 3rd pic down is the OA of  "Old Ugly". Fred









(https://i.ibb.co/dmgBP2X/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TWLc48J)

(https://i.ibb.co/sWxHRh6/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2ZVNhws)

(https://i.ibb.co/cbkNghm/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KNb90x1)

(https://i.ibb.co/K6NwXrX/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SNQrP3P)
Title: Re: A story of my first LR buid
Post by: Levy on May 23, 2021, 08:29:49 PM
Fred,  looking at it from my skill set, it looks darn good.  James Levy
Title: Re: A story of my first LR buid
Post by: yip on May 23, 2021, 10:12:15 PM
  Fred; i wish i could do half as well as you. you know your business.
Title: Re: A story of my first LR build
Post by: heinz on May 24, 2021, 01:29:07 AM
I like it.  It is kinda Beckish.  We had a lot less to work with in those days in both material and research.  You had to do a lot of guesswork when relying on Kindig's "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle"
Title: Re: A story of my first LR build
Post by: Daryl on May 24, 2021, 01:45:45 AM
That rifle looks just fine to me & so does the Hawken. :D
The Hawkens, well it's a TC & they have a great warrantee
that seems to be needed by many of it's owners.
Title: Re: A story of my first LR build
Post by: FALout on May 24, 2021, 02:52:33 AM
I’ve seen a lot worse for first builds, and all the other ones I’ve seen you post throughout the years more then make up for any deficiencies you may believe this one has.
Bob
Title: Re: A story of my first LR build
Post by: alacran on May 24, 2021, 02:01:21 PM
Fred, I am sure you are probably your worst critic. I have seen many 4th and 5th builds that would pale in comparison.
You built it from a blank which in itself says a lot about your craftsmanship.