stock for small calibers

[frenchman]

Next project is a .36 cal , barrel a 3/4 inch straight. Do small calibers follow the same building patterns to a tee or does every thing have to be slim down a bit more to take away a heavy look. For example the butt stock. Is the barrel countour the one that will guide the trim of the stock. Does one make a smaller butt plate if so what are the measurement or how does one figure it out .
Thanks guy's

[Blacksmoke]

Frenchman:   Generally a smaller cal. such as a 36 cal.means a slightly scaled down gun from one that is a 62 cal.  I do not work from a set of plans or attempt to copy someone else's work so I use my own "savvy"to design proportion in a gun.  At the moment I am working on a "little" pistol in 40 cal. with a short 5" barrel.   I am scaling everything down from previous full size pistols that I have made by "eye balling it" as I proceed.  The lock is only 3' long!   This gun is for my daughter so I am adjusting things to fit her smaller female hand.   Hugh Toenjes

[frenchman]

thanks Hugh,
 I just wasn't that sure so thanks for the push.

Trying to copy someone this is not my bag for now and I've tried . I must learn the architecture aspect of guns first. So than to paper, pencil ,eraser and books. I think for any gun that should be any basic start.

[B.Habermehl]

Every thing works out to be a matter of scale. You will be slimming down any percarve on the market to suit your 3/4 in barrel. The nice thing is if you build from the slab you can start with a 1 1/2 in thick blank if you are building a later period gun, say post 1800. Also if you have a interest in building one of the "marginal" stock designs for shooting comfort your barrel and caliber choice is the way to go. Upper Susquehanna guns come to mind, Or a super skinny Allentown, Hmmmm

[northmn]

As a rule small calibers means smaller barrels.  13/16 or in my case a couple of 3/4 inch straight barrels.  I have an A weight 40 for a future project in a swamped.  This often means use of the smaller locks like the small Siler for balance and scale.  Also scaled down furniture may be in order.  One thing to remember is that most originals were built heavy.  Straight barrels around the inch or so even in small calibers.  A smaller barrel is alreday scaled down.  Building an early REvolutionary rifle with a straight butt plate 5 inches by 2 inches may be out of scale.  Many go for the later "Golden Age" designs.  Tennesse rifles are often used for small bores.  If you make your own furniture they can also be balanced.

DP

[Gaeckle]

When you use a 3/4 barrel, the petiteness causes issues. The tang bolt that is used to secure the trigger plate will have to be modified as the beveled head will most likely be wider than the tang itself. Depending on the lock, you mayalso need to modify screws and springs.

Triggers may need to be modified as well.

Making little barelled rifles is fun and testing of one's patience.

[frenchman]

thanks Gaeckle
could you give me a little more on what to watch for. This is my first in the small calibers . It will be a half stock.
Since she is petite , the lock could be a Chambers model # L10 it's 4 3/4 x 7/8 it's the smallest i could find.
Spring and screws could you elaborate so i know what to watch for, just in case