The ALR...Does It Get Better Than This?

[Tim Crosby]

 I am bias I'm sure but I do not think there is another site on the web that you can get the overall view of the Culture that you can here, not to mention the help and being able to see not only Top of the line contemporary work but Antiques as well..
 If we are missing something and you have suggestions we would like to hear them.

  Tim C.

PS: This is posted here in "Building" because it is the most read forum. TC

[jcmcclure]

I am bias I'm sure but I do not think there is another site on the web that you can get the overall view of the Culture that you can here, not to mention the help and being able to see not only Top of the line contemporary work but Antiques as well..
 If we are missing something and you have suggestions we would like to hear them.

  Tim C.

PS: This is posted here in "Building" because it is the most read forum. TC

You are right sir...best around. I am not really a builder, but I have made a number of accouterments and primarily forge knives. However I got connected into this site when when I worked as the Park Manager of the William Whitley House State Historic Site. The WW House is the home to the Jacob Young rifle that was build for Whitley. I love the longrifle culture even though my job now does not really allow for me to travel to events, but on the rare occasion. This site allows me the opportunity to look and see what is going on even when I cannot make events.

Hopefully this site will keep on keeping on.

[Robert Wolfe]

Certainly the best site out there. It's where I stop first every morning with my cup of tea.

[Ray Settanta]

I read the site whilst drinking my morning coffee. I've received a lot of good advice and help. The various building threads and tutorials are invaluable. It is also fun to look at all the pictures from the shows and events. The only downside is the Classifieds forum which has beaten my wallet half to death.

[Stoner creek]

It sure helps to pass the time in a constructive way. I just got a total knee replacement last Thursday and the talking heads on tv get old fast. I've explored just about every corner of ALR. Gots plenty of new ideas for future shop projects. Woo Hoo!!

[wattlebuster]

The Best?  AGREED

[n stephenson]

When you`ve got the best people in the world , talking about the best topic on earth , it`s hard to go wrong. They even allow me to play , when I behave! 

[oldtravler61]

  Tim I am confused. What other sites?
  This in my opinion is the VERY best.. 
  But I agree with Ray. It's a piggy bank killer....Oldtravler

[Mike Brooks]

I been kicked off all the others....

[Hemo]

The best indeed! This site has been a terrific resource for me.

One question though--I have done a couple of restoration projects on original pieces (one in progress now) and I'm not sure whether to post them on the Gun Building site or Antique Gun Collecting site--most of the time I'm posting about how I've done repairs, which I think is more appropriate to the Gun Building site. There probably isn't enough restoration activity out there to warrant a completely different "Antique Restoration" category, so I'd plan to do any posting on this topic in the Gun Building site if it's okay with the administrators.

Gregg

[rich pierce]

Gregg, that sounds right.

[Marcruger]

Hey Tim,

I have to agree, there is no better, more civil, more helpful site out there. 

It's the people.  Longrifles just don't seem to attract the miscreant, undesirable, foul crowd.  Instead we have delightful, helpful and knowledgeable folks. 

It never ceases to amaze me that the best builders in the world hang out on this forum and share with a nobody like me. 

That goes for the CLA show in Lexington too.  I had a ball getting to meet and put faces to the names I know here. 

My thanks to all here for your enthusiasm and sharing the culture we all enjoy. 

Best wishes, and God bless,  Marc

[t.caster]

It's my no. 1, all time favorite sight. If I'm on the computer, I always check in on ALR.

[smart dog]

Hi Folks,
Although I know we are happy to hear the support for ALR, I think Tim (and so do I) wants to know how we can improve as well as are there topics, related to our mission (see the mission statement), that we should add to meet your needs.  We really do have the best community of builders, collectors, firearm historians, and shooters of long rifles and associated firearms anywhere.  I believe ALR will continue to grow but always focused on our mission.

dave

[Dennis Glazener]

The best indeed! This site has been a terrific resource for me.

One question though--I have done a couple of restoration projects on original pieces (one in progress now) and I'm not sure whether to post them on the Gun Building site or Antique Gun Collecting site--most of the time I'm posting about how I've done repairs, which I think is more appropriate to the Gun Building site. There probably isn't enough restoration activity out there to warrant a completely different "Antique Restoration" category, so I'd plan to do any posting on this topic in the Gun Building site if it's okay with the administrators.

Gregg

Gregg,
I think Gunbuilding is most apt to be the best forum to ask questions about restoration of an antique gun when it comes to wood and metal restoration. But if it is in regard to what missing parts should look like, such as a nose cap, side plate etc you probably want to post it in the Antique Gun forum. Many collectors and gun historians keep an eye on that forum and not on Gunbuilding. Many of our builders are well versed on original guns but I suspect the collectors and historians might have more hands on experience and might possibly have photographs of a similiar gun.
Dennis

[Tim Crosby]

 Good post Dave, that's what I'm/we're look'n for. The main purpose of this site is education and to do it right we need to know what you need. Just remember there is a Search engine on this site, you may not get what you want the first time just try refining your search and limiting it to specific Forums.
 Thanks for the in-put so far.

   Tim C.

[JCKelly]

This is the only site I know where one can get a vigorous, in-depth discussion going

[deepcreekdale]

I have been building rifles for over 40 years but I never fail to learn something interesting or pick up something to think about whenever I am on here. The administrators do a great job and their hard work is much appreciated.

[conquerordie]

I have a thought that might be helpful for any builder at any level. Stock patterns. Anyone who has created a period correct pattern that might be willing to submit it to ALR for any member to use as a pattern for their builds. Maybe as a dowloadable pdf or something. Volunteer basis only. Not like a full out diagram with all the dimensions, but the buttstock outline and maybe a note or two that the original builder wants you to know. I realize some sell things like these, but this would be a resource for members to use as they are, or to alter for ones need. Just have a section for patterns donated by members. Any questions about a specific pattern can be answered by messaging that person. Just a thought.
Greg

[Marcruger]

I would add that photos are ALWAYS useful.  What the old saying, "A picture is worth......"?  With the new easy posting method, there is no excuse for not adding helpful photos, in my opinion.  Best wishes, and God Bless,  Marc

[Chowmi]

Hi Folks,
Although I know we are happy to hear the support for ALR, I think Tim (and so do I) wants to know how we can improve as well as are there topics, related to our mission (see the mission statement), that we should add to meet your needs.

dave

Tim, Dave,
As a new builder and student of longrifles, I have found that one of the most difficult parts is identifying geographic specifics and trends of long rifles. In other words, how do I distinguish a Lancaster from a Lehigh or Berks co. Gun. It's taken me over two years of looking at pictures here and in books to achieve a less than 50% success in rate in guessing.
The problem is that stock shape and inlays, patch box design etc etc changes over time, and there are parts of each county or state that have influences from neighboring counties or states.

The upshot is that what would be massively useful is a missive on defining characteristics of various schools of rifles to help folks identify and/or recreate specific schools of rifles and time periods.   
I realize this is a mammoth sized task. There was a comment about providing specific stock profiles, but I think with the members involved here, we could do more. Inlay styles, patch box outlines, carving designs etc. 
 
All this could be integrated over time, to show how the area designs changed as times progressed. 

We have wonderful tutorials on how to do such and such task, and we have a library to show original rifles. How about an education section to learn about such things as regional rifle identification? 
As I think more about it, what about lock design progression and/or identification and characteristics for the builder and collector?  Etc etc.

Again, I realize that this is akin to art study and things are fluid and opinions differ.  Monumental task. Benefits huge to new guys and all of us.

Cheers,
Norm.

[smylee grouch]

Well I don't know if this is the best site or not as this is the only one Iv'e ever visited. I have been so impressed with the quality of respondents replies, questions and the administration that I feel I don't need to look any further than right here. The generosity of everyone to share is over the top. Thanks for the chance to be a part of it.   

[elkhorne]

Living in an area completely devoid of anything vaguely related to the long rifle culture, gun building, or true muzzle loading hunting - This site is my source of learning, wisdom, history and enjoyment in this crazy world we live in today! Longrifles and their culture did exist here at one time but it has been virtually erased and not sure why. Louisiana Fish and Game has a muzzle loading season but 98% of the people use modern inlines or single shot cartridge rifles with 3-9 scopes - about as primitive as the Walmarts and box stores that have been the demise of most of the old family owned hardware stores in the South. As others have said, I start my day with a cup of coffee and ALR and usually end my day as tonight with it. There are the greatest group of guys (and gals) on this site that are willing to help us newbies at a moments notice. The thing that worries me the most is that if you look at most of us, our median age is probably over 60, and we have way to few younger people exploring the many facets that we enjoy so much. We all need to put our heads together and try to encourage anyone with the least bit interest in history, period gun building and the long rifle culture to join us. Thanks to all for everything this site offers us all.
elkhorne

[Darthur]

I love this site, I find it to be a valuable resource for me. I will find a gun in RCA or another publication that I want to know more about and search for it. I find that in addition to historical data on the gun or maker I usually find a contemporary builder who has provided his take on the subject matter in the builder's section. Only disappointment is that many of the photos are now gone from the threads even in the tutorial section. Is there anyway to get them back from photo bucket?
 I do not really know how photo bucket worked having never tried to use it myself. I would be willing to donate funds to ALR to pay their fees if it would help get the pictures back that are missing.
Darthur

[Mike Brooks]

I have a thought that might be helpful for any builder at any level. Stock patterns. Anyone who has created a period correct pattern that might be willing to submit it to ALR for any member to use as a pattern for their builds. Maybe as a dowloadable pdf or something. Volunteer basis only. Not like a full out diagram with all the dimensions, but the buttstock outline and maybe a note or two that the original builder wants you to know. I realize some sell things like these, but this would be a resource for members to use as they are, or to alter for ones need. Just have a section for patterns donated by members. Any questions about a specific pattern can be answered by messaging that person. Just a thought.
Greg

A tutorial would probably most helpful for patterns. I draw out a new pattern for every gun I make using the actual parts I'm making the gun with. I have never been able to use any commercial pattern to date. I burned up several hundred patterns when I moved seven years ago, since I always draw a new pattern there was no sense in keeping them.