AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: RowdyRandall on June 23, 2025, 04:07:10 AM
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I am planning to build a longrifle from a Jim Chambers kit. I have no experience with building rifles, or the tools that I will be need. I am a full-time fabricator and can use hand tools and do metalworking, but this is too complicated for my experience. I am searching for someone in my area that I could learn from. Who is in the area of Oconee County South Carolina and would be able to work with me? I would be willing to pay for any assistance.
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Buy the book, recreating the American long rifle. You can learn everything you need to know from it. Al
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Here is a link to a few hundred gun building videos. They go into detail on every step of building a gun from start to finish. Hope it helps.
https://rumble.com/user/BillRaby
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I'm in Greenville, I just sent you a PM.
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Jim Kibler has many fine videos on YT that will guide you right thru it. I mean, it is easy, and very satisfying to do so.
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RowdyRandall,
Welcome to ALR. I hope one of our members is near enough to you. Nothing like having a mentor.
I started exactly like you, good with my hands, familiar with hand tools and liked to make things but the only longrifle building skill I had was the "want to". I second the recommendation on the book "Recreating the American Longrifle" by William Buchele. Later editions were updated by George Shumway and Peter Alexander.
Have fun with your build and when you get stuck, post your question here.
Ron
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Good for you If you can find local help. If not? Just study up and jump in. I read a few books and asked questions about what tools I would need. Found out a 1/4" straight chisel was my best friend after the barrel channel and ramrod groove were in. Have fun and NEVER rush anything! Think six times (minimum) and remove wood once.
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If I recall correctly, Chambers used to sell an instructional video of a professional builder assembling one of his kits. I would check with them and see if they still offer it. That would get my vote if you can’t find someone for hands on help, since it depicts the assembly steps of a Chambers kit, which is more challenging and involves more wood removal and shaping than the ones offered by Kibler. By saying “challenging” I do not mean it in a derogatory way. I simply mean that the Chambers kit is intended to and does require more work to complete.
Jay