Author Topic: Bull pistols (Read 4936 times)

B.Barker · « **on:** March 27, 2020, 03:47:12 AM »

Been working on this thing forever and I have another one to make. I was going to try to make a set trigger for them but don't like the ones I've seen. Plus they have so many tiny parts to try to file out by hand and assemble. Double triggers I don't mind making at all but these single triggers are so different. I used steel for the trigger guard but sterling for all the other mounts. These things are such a pain to work on I think. I probably won't ever try to make another pair of pistols. One isn't to bad but two make my head hurt thinking about trying to get them both to look the same.

Stoner creek · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2020, 04:17:56 AM »

If that first one was tough it going to be hard to get motivated to do the second one. This one looks pretty keen old buddy!

steven baker · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2020, 09:56:51 AM »

Hi there , a mighty fine looking pistol, may I poke my nose in and ask the barrel dimensions and profile as Iam keen on starting a similar project soon ,take care Steven.

Rolf · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2020, 12:25:25 PM »

Nice pistol!! When making pistols pairs, I find it easier to make them identical by doing the same steps on both at the same time.

Best regards
Rolf

Elnathan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2020, 03:37:49 PM »

Is that a Chamber's lock? I like those late period pistols and would like to make a bear pistol, but I was thinking that the Chambers Ketland lock was too big for a pistol. You seem to have made it work OK, though. What is the barrel diameter?

Mike Lyons · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2020, 03:43:54 PM »

That's a nice looking pistol. The silver is going to look super fancy when it's finished.

Greg Pennell · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2020, 03:55:35 PM »

Brian, looks like that one came together nicely! Nice lines...looks like it will feel good in hand. Can’t wait to see it all finished!

Greg

B.Barker · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2020, 03:56:40 AM »

The Late Ketland lock can be slimmed down a bit to make it look better on a pistol. The one Kibler is coming out with would probably be better since it's a bit smaller.
The barrel is 10" if I remember right and it started out a straight 7/8" but I have tapered it a bit.

I probably should have kept everything together on the pair. But I'm wasn't sure I could get another stock out of my blank. Now I see that I can and may regret not doing both at the same time. I just don't get real excited about doing pistols because of the holding problems that I have with them.

Marcruger · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2020, 04:30:32 AM »

I like the lines of that pistol. I wouldn't say graceful, but nice lines in a purposeful way. Like a '65 Corvette. :-) God Bless, Marc

sdilts · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2020, 04:12:48 PM »

I made a pair of pistols once and did the same procedure as Rolf. They turned out good but it seemed like it took forever.

will payne · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2020, 04:41:56 PM »

That pistol looks really nice good luck on the next one
Will

hanshi · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2020, 11:56:00 PM »

It looks good. I'd be proud of doing that build.

alacran · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2020, 02:46:57 PM »

Ok since no one has asked, I will. Why do you call them bull pistols? What is the caliber? What is your intended purpose. I like the one you are working on, It looks like a no nonsense sturdy piece.

Greg Pennell · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2020, 03:27:14 PM »

Alacran, they’re styled after pistols made by the Bull family of gunsmiths in east Tennessee. There are some good photos in Randal Pierce’s book.

Greg

Bob Roller · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2020, 04:16:45 PM »

About 30 years ago I made a tool that can be adapted to hard to hold pistol builds
like a full stock style.It is a bore diameter,before rifling or .002 smaller drilled thru
and threaded for a rod with a long lead angle.It uses a hole drilled across the threaded
hole and a short brass plug that will expand against the bore and lock it in place and
then it can be clamped in the vise and rotated as the work on the wood continues.
The one I have is for a .450 bore and serves as a guide for a cutting tool to true the muzzle
at the range and I used a battery powered drill for this application.
Bob Roller

B.Barker · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2020, 04:33:01 AM »

Been busy building a crib bed for my grandson but did manage to get the second pistol started. I just about have the bed done now and hope to get back to building guns and knives again.

Daryl · « **Reply #16 on:** May 12, 2020, 05:01:08 AM »

Please pardon my ignorance, but what is a Bull Pistol?

Joe Stein · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:12:56 AM »

Quote from: Daryl on May 12, 2020, 05:01:08 AM

Please pardon my ignorance, but what is a Bull Pistol?

Daryl
They are styled like those made by the Bull family of gunsmiths. See reply #6.

Daryl · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:23:02 PM »

Kinda figured, but not sure, Thanks Joe - makes perfect sense.

Gary Tucker · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2020, 10:16:41 PM »

Those are going to be a couple of beauties!
Can’t wait to see the finished set.

bama · « **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2020, 12:30:56 AM »

Yes indeed, those are going to be a lovely set of pistols. Great work Brian. I had a fella ask me one time how much I charged to build a pistol and my reply was "about 3 times as much as I charge for a rifle"

They are much harder to hold onto and have the same amount of work in them. They are nice once you get them done though and you have done a really nice job.

alacran · « **Reply #21 on:** May 13, 2020, 01:11:42 AM »

Bama let me see no butt plate, no toe plate, no patch box, no cheek piece, no cheek piece carving, only two pipes. Can't see how they are as much work as a rifle.

sdilts · « **Reply #22 on:** May 13, 2020, 03:25:03 AM »

As Bama said, they are much harder to hold on to. The butt cap is twice as hard to put on than a buttplate. The curve of the stock makes for a real challenge inletting the trigger and trigger guard. A rifle is definitely easier to build, at least for me.

B.Barker · « **Reply #23 on:** May 13, 2020, 04:35:43 AM »

These are my first set of pistols and my last unless I'm offered a ridiculous amount of money. Trying to get two to look the same is a pain. I have learned a few things but plan on forgetting them as quick as possible. The checkering I think is going to oh so fun to do.......not.

J. Talbert · « **Reply #24 on:** May 13, 2020, 06:03:24 AM »

Looking good so far .

Curious... Why a pair?

Jeff

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Author Topic: Bull pistols (Read 4936 times)