Author Topic: Ahhh the lefthanders choices (Read 3684 times)

54ball · « **on:** January 14, 2018, 02:35:40 AM »

Yep.

I got my barrel today. It's a 48" Rayl "Feather Prodile" in .54. What else?

This one will be for me. I've got the three rifles ahead of it. I'm just planning right now.

I primarily shoot left handed. I considered building a Left Handed Feather Gun. I don't think that's going to happen.

Not to get into the whole lock debate but there is nothing that compares to the Chambers Early Ketland in left hand. The Siler is not a option because I want a big honking English lock.

I got to handle some great originals. Most of them feel pretty good left handed but they just melt into you right handed. I want that fit for me instead of another right handed gun.

It looks like I'll use my favorite lock, the Chambers Early Ketland.

Option 1...
A left handed Feather Gun with a Right handed lock. The cheek and lock on the same side with appropriate cast-on. The patchbox would be out there by itself on the side plate side.
I don't know. Left Handed guns are funky. The Feather Gun and it's kin are Funky. This might be really funky?
Option 2...
A standard right handed rifle but with cast-on for a left handed shooter....I.E. made to be shot left handed off the patchbox side.
Option 3...
What I normally do.
A straight up right handed rifle with neutral cast off or on.

What do you think?
Thanks
Travis

smylee grouch · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2018, 02:42:19 AM »

Is the Chambers gun makers lock made in left hand? Or some other left hand lock with a new custom plate.

axelp · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2018, 02:48:14 AM »

I had a long rifle that had a right handed lock but was designed to be shot left handed. It shot ok. Now days all my guns are right handed and I shoot them right or left handed depending on the circumstances. I taught myself to shoot right handed because my eye is stronger on that side. But I will switch back and forth depending on the angle of the shot. I do the same with my modern shooting except for pistol. I seem to have to shoot a pistol left handed... can't get used to right handed there.

caviat: I am not an expert shooter-- no matter what side, I am still just mediocre at best.I don't practice nearly enough.

K

54ball · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2018, 02:49:47 AM »

Yes it is but the gun maker is a medium rifle sized lock. I really want a .....

Well, what I really want is a Early Ketland in left hand! That would be sweet!

I just not happy with the usual suspects in left hand.

54ball · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2018, 02:52:22 AM »

Ken I shoot eirher side but left is just natural for me. It feels good. I feel my accuracy is not quite as good using my right eye, shooting right handed.

ddoyle · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2018, 02:54:43 AM »

What is a feather rifle?

Caywood makes a big left hand lock.

54ball · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2018, 03:15:01 AM »

It's a nickname for a Early rifle attributed to the Shenandoah Valley circa 1770.

Really such a fine rifle needs to be built....like it was.

utseabee · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2018, 03:30:19 AM »

You might want to check out Stan Hollenbaugh. A lot of the locks that he makes are left handed. He makes a F&I war lock in left hand that is really nice, it's not an English lock though.

smallpatch · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2018, 03:30:46 AM »

54,
While I seldom recommend an L&R lock, they do make a Queen Anne in left hand. That's a big English lock. With some work, they can be made into a serviceable lock.
It's no Early Ketland, but it'll work.

smallpatch · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2018, 03:33:03 AM »

Stans lock is an early flat face lock. Definitely Germanic, but a big early lock as well.
Not cheap, but you won't have to work on it either. REALLY nice lock.

54ball · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2018, 04:03:50 AM »

Thanks Small Patch.

ddoyle · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2018, 04:22:54 AM »

225 dollars for a lock you do not have to work on is VERY CHEAP.

Rolf · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2018, 01:56:16 PM »

I'm a lefthander and understand Your dilemma. I'd use a lefthand gun makers Lock. It's plate size is 5 7/8" x 1 3/16". The Ketland Lock is 5 3/4" x 1", so the profile should fit. If you need more metal somewhere on the plate, it can be added simply With tig og mig Welding. There is alot of extra metal on the siler pan and it can be shaped to a round pan like the ketland.
Converting to a bridless Lock is easy. Cut off the bridel, reverse the frizzen screw. This requires making a bushing to fill the frizzen screw hole in the plate. Silver solder the bushing and tapp the hole for the frizzen screw. The Siler frizzen looks a bit different than the Ketland, I'd ask for a kit With a non-harden frizzen and get someone to fill the "dimpel" in the frizzen With tig welder, rest is file work.

I made these bridless pistol Locks using part from small siler Locks. Lot can be done With these parts.
Best regards
Rolf

moleeyes36 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2018, 04:36:03 PM »

Quote from: ddoyle on January 14, 2018, 04:22:54 AM

225 dollars for a lock you do not have to work on is VERY CHEAP.

Quite right!

Mole Eyes

David Rase · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2018, 06:24:41 PM »

Unless things have changed recently, I don't think you would be disappointed with the left hand Caywood round faced lock. I have not built a gun using a Caywood lock for several years but the last lock from them worked great.
David

Bob Roller · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2018, 06:47:30 PM »

Quote from: smylee grouch on January 14, 2018, 02:42:19 AM

Is the Chambers gun makers lock made in left hand? Or some other left hand lock with a new custom plate.

I have made a few LH locks using the L&R Manton,Egg and Ashmore but they were not
cheap.The cost of the parts is a bit North of $100 and the labor about $200.
I'm not saying I will do any more but if you can get a quality internal mechanism
which IS the lock for less then go for it.

Bob Roller

Rolf · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2018, 07:19:39 PM »

Quote from: smylee grouch on January 14, 2018, 02:42:19 AM

Is the Chambers gun makers lock made in left hand? Or some other left hand lock with a new custom plate.

The Chambers gun makers Lock is made in both rigth hand and left hand.
http://www.flintlocks.com/locks6.htm

Best regards
Rolf

Justin Urbantas · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2018, 08:47:58 PM »

What about this one? It's a big English lock in lefty.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/724/1/LOCK-LR-1000

54ball · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2018, 09:47:54 PM »

I've slept on it and I really have mixed emotions about the whole concept of building this rifle left handed.
I really like Stans Lock.
There has been some mixed reviews with Caywoods locks especially after Rowe left.

I've been through this before and ended up building a right handed rifle.

It's not just the lock....it"s the whole concept of building this left hand. I have gone so far as getting a Feather Gun Barrel from Rayl. Keck has a Feather Gun stock profile off the original. I kind of feel this rifle may be best as right handed.
If I go left handed I'll have to go from a blank which is no big deal but there again, I have mixed emotions.
All my rifles are right handed except a double and one rifle.

Robby · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2018, 10:05:38 PM »

Go left young man! Do it for yourself.
Robby

Flint62Smoothie · « **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2018, 12:59:31 AM »

Quote from: David Rase on January 14, 2018, 06:24:41 PM

Unless things have changed recently, I don't think you would be disappointed with the left hand Caywood round faced lock.

That's what I do ... use the large LH Caywood locks. Took the round faced one down to be a flat faced one and faceted the pan - amongst other improvements - to mimic a 1727 contract lock from Tulle, albeit in LH. Worked out great and the Caywood locks are the BEST I own!

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Author Topic: Ahhh the lefthanders choices (Read 3684 times)

54ball

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ddoyle

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