As a reply to your first post.
Some styles of firearms based on origin and era may require a thicker lock pannel, for instance a early period wheellock or matchlock. But on a high art piece 1/8 may be too thick to look right.
On the forestock my personal preference is below center of the barrel more along the 2/3 line of the side flat, This makes for a much more slender gun and lightens it up a bit. I have seen a few skip the step of rounding the top of the forestock but I made the same mistake on my first couple too.
Another few suggestions for constructive criticism are:
-barrel choice
-nails or screw useage
-lock type
-trigger type
-finish quality
-archetecture of the gun
-patchbox choice
-stock wood
-engraving
-carving
-inletting
