Hey guys. Wow, I really didn’t know what to expect when I posted these photos yesterday, you guys are too nice, or maybe you’re just having patience with the new guy. Thanks for all the great comments.
I’ll try to answer some of the questions with this post. Yes this is only the third rifle I’ve built. The first one rarely sees the light of day anymore. I really didn’t know what a rifle should even look like when I built the first one. When I do take it hunting I don’t hesitate to lay it on the ground or whatever, I don’t believe I can do any more damage to it ( I’m really hoping the coyotes might carry it off). The second gun turned out a little better but I still didn’t know anything about engraving (and I still don’t). I used a dull engraver blank that I bought at a flea market and beat the devil out of it and the brass I was working on. Now you see my third attempt…
I really have a great time building rifles but I find that I have to be “in the zone” or I’ll just mess it up. For the past couple of years I’ve been looking for a mentor to help me through designing and carving and just generally telling me what’s right and wrong with a rifle. When I couldn’t find anyone locally I just decided to try by myself. I thought, Heck the only way to learn is to wade on in and the worst that could happen is that I might have to burn a few stocks but I could always recycle the parts. I haven’t burned any stocks yet. But who knows there’s always the fourth gun… My plan is to someday attend some of the NMLRA Gunsmithing Workshops taught by Gary Brumfield, Mark Silver, Wallace Cusler and some of the other great builders ....someday, someday soon.
