Ideas For Pistol Build?

[Mauser06]

Ive been pondering my next build since I started my first....



I have wanted a flintlock pistol since I've started shooting a flintlock...i just never bought one as most factory ones aren't built for hunting loads...



I have NO idea where to start...but I'd like this build to go a little smoother than the first...


Am I crazy thinking about starting with a blank with barrel channel and ramrod drilled?   I almost feel like it's be easier to completely inlet everything opposed to start with a precarve and try to make fine adjustments and such to line things up..



Any barrel recommendations?  


Caliber recommendations?   ( I'd like 54+ if that's possible and reasonable?).  

I just want to target shoot a bit and take the occasional close deer with it...


Sources for furniture??  Not much out there I see....I'd kinda like to do it in steel...i don't know why but I like steel furniture....


I've read a bit and some say pistols can be harder than rifles???  Any truth to that?  Lol

[James Tenaglia]

Ryan Roberts at Muzzleloaders Builder's Supply has a lot of flintlock pistol stuff. He is very generous with his advise. I don't know how the man finds time, but he will respond promptly. There is so much to choose from you may be overwhelmed.
Mike Miller's video Building Flintlock Pistols ( www.americanpioneer video.com) is good. But if you have built longrifles with any degree of success you may not need it, as many of the same principles apply to both rifles and pistols.
Jim

[L. Akers]

I agree with Jim--if you can build a rifle you can build a pistol.  Pistols are just harder to hang onto as you work on them.  I made a set of off-set chisels for inletting the trigger and guard around the grip (it gets in the way).  Pay special attention to the length of pull or 'trigger reach".  You can be off a lot on a rifle and cause no problems but on a pistol it is critical.

[frogwalking]

I built a 20 gauge smoothbore flintlock.  It shoots either a .600 ball or #4 buckshot.  Either way, it is fun to shoot and looks cool.  I tried to copy an English trade pistol.

[Mauser06]

Thanx guys!!


Excellent tip on trigger placement....which makes me think maybe I aughta have it pre-inletted so I don't booger that up...

I didn't think about the grip and the curve and such...


Eh...a pistol blank...even of the highest grade is relatively cheap...




Any idea or thoughts on caliber/barrel length to shoot deer with??   Thinking a 12" 54cal? 


Small chambers siler lock..steel furniture..

[elk killer]

swamped .54  13 inch barrel from Rice
makes a great shooting pistol

[Daryl]

I shoot 55gr. 3F with a .526" ball in this tight .54.   It's a piece of .53 bore sized rifle barrel with 60" twist, but with the heavy-for-a-pistol charge, shoots very well. 

[Mauser06]

Great looking gun Daryl. 

What barrel and stock?     Have you hunted with it? 55gr (to me) still seems weaker than I'd feel comfortable deer hunting with...maybe not...?

[Gun_Nut_73]

The only thing I can think of, if you want to carry a pistol on a hunt, is to make the pistol the same caliber as the rifle, so you can use the same ball size.

[tddeangelo]

Don't forget, Mauser, that here in PA the pistol minimum caliber is 50. Not that it sounds like you're going to have to worry about that, lol.