TRS kits

[Tommy Bruce]

Hey this question is for anyone who has done a TRS Brown Bess kit.  I have a chance to buy a stock from a private individual & by looking at the pic, the last section of the ramrod channel is drilled or routered out through the barrel channel.  Is this typical of their stocks? I did one from Track before and it was much nicer than the one I’m looking at. 

[PAFlinter]

That's how they do them.

[rich pierce]

That's how they do them.

+1. Splice a piece of wood 🪵 in there!

[smart dog]

Hi Tom,
Yes, that is the way TRS machines the stocks and they range from OK to horrible.  I usually do not buy stocks from them just the metal parts.  Also ignore the machine carved lock moldings and beaver tails.  They need to be reshaped.

Here are some threads on building Brown Besses:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/turning-a-pedersoli-bess-into-a-dublin-castle-short-land-musket.138872/
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/pattern-1730-brown-bess-almost-ready-for-inspection.123947/

dave

[Tommy Bruce]

Thanks guys! I’m thinking that I’m just gonna wait on Track to get theirs back in stock.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Years ago, I bought a Long Land Pattern Brown Bess from TOW and they called it their advanced kit.  I always thought that it had been produced by TRS, and then sold through TOW, but I may have been mistaken.  Mine had a properly drilled rod hole, and was of the hardest Black Walnut I have ever had the pleasure to work.  The gun came out splendidly and I shot it for years before I sold it in a weak (broke) moment to an ALR subscriber.  I loved the gun, and it served me so well for for so long.

[Tommy Bruce]

Taylor,

I was thinking the same thing.  I did a Track kit for a buddy years ago and it was really nice. I wish I knew when Track was gonna get there stocks back in.

[Daryl]

That's how they do them.

That is how my SMR was done as well, either by a kit maker, or the person, whomever that was, who built my squirrel rifle.
It's just fine, the way it is. I suppose I could 'glass' it up, or not.
When I clean the rifle barrel, I remove it, but leave the rod installed as there is little wood in that area of the forend.