Ensuring a barrel layout is straight

[Mauser06]

This may seem elementary.   


Last night I worked on the layout of a full stock pistol build to ensure everything is going to fit and work before I order the lock and such.

TOTW full sized printouts are awesome! 


How do I ensure the barrel goes in straight and flat?  I realize that if it's slightly crooked side to side or up and down that it's going to mess things up.

Only thing I can come up with is use a line for the side to side bearing and use a level on the barrel to try to keep it flat...

Just wanted to make sure that is the way to go before I start cutting wood. 



The layout took a few tries...but after I looked it all over and erased a bunch of lines I got it all situated. Even got the front lock bolt passing right through the web... assuming that I can drill the hole straight. Lol. 

Time to order the lock and furniture...I wanted to make sure it all was going to fit and work (on paper) before ordering.

[P.W.Berkuta]

First thing I do with the stock blank is to square up the wood on three faces - sides, & top. This helps to ensure that my parts are square to the barrel after it is inlet.

[Mark Elliott]

I only make sure the top and lock side of my blank are straight and square, but you do need that as a minimum to layout everything correctly.    As you proceed, you should look often to make sure everything makes sense.   This is where I often fail.   Layout everything and think about everything as it will affect the entire build process.   When I think I know what I am doing, that is when I make a mistake. 

Specifically, with regards to the barrel,   I find the most important part of the process is to set the center line of the barrel in both planes.   I then measure off of that.  The center line of the barrel should carry the full length of the stock on the top and then be intersected by the offset line of the butt stock at the rear of the lock panels.   I actually draw the center line of the butt stock first as I need that to figure the offset of the center line of the barrel.   I start by placing the butt piece lined up with the right edge (if a right handed gun) of the butt stock.   I then mark the other side of the butt piece; extend that line to the top to give me the full width of the butt piece on the top right edge of the stock blank.    I then figure the center of those two marks and draw a line parallel to the right side of the stock blank.   I,  next, draw another parallel line 1/4" to the left of that line.   That last line is the center line of your barrel.   I hope that makes sense. 

[Mauser06]

Thanx guys!   

Squaring up the blank makes good sense.  I believe it already is..if not it is dang close.  I will check it before proceeding.   


Mark, that makes perfect sense. 


You are right on about checking and double checking to make sure it makes sense.  I've seen the hat recommended for carving and engraving...draw the design and come back a day or 2 later and see if you still like it and it looks right in the space. 


I actually ran into that with my mock up.  Trigger where it feels right. Lock where the trigger will work. Front lock bolt nowhere near the web. Thought it was where the touch hole was anticipated...kept working on it and realized I was way off. The lock sits much higher than I thought.  Funny enough, once it was set right, the pan lined up with the anticipated touch hole and the lock bolt was right through the web. Drew the lines for the bottom of the barrel, the web, and the ramrod channel. It all is looking good. 


I may post some pics of the layout before I start to make sure I'm heading in the right direction. 


I'm also probably going to do a mock build. I can order a cheap pistol blank for 10-15$ and use that to make a "pattern". Figure out the grip that works for me. Inlet the lock and trigger.  On a pistol, that trigger is pretty critical IMO. Length of pull on a rifle doesn't have to be exact and the shooter can still shoot the rifle.  A pistol..if I cant reach the trigger, it's useless lol. Probably won't inlet the barrel or anything in the pattern..but will give me a pattern for shaping and a chance to inlet the lock and trigger and make sure it's right before I start on the good blank. 


Never built from a blank and pretty excited about it. A pistol comes with its own difficulties...but I've wanted one forever...and stumbled upon the barrel..figured it was a sign to build it next.