Another pistol

[Scota4570]

I may do another, a bit heavier, lock smaller, and make the grip larger to fit my my hand.  I have a bedford caplock that has and extremely short hammer throw and snappy action that would be a parts good donor.

As made the pistol is extremely close to the proportions of the original.  The caliber is 40 and the barrel is 3/4" AF and 10". 

[moleeyes36]

That just looks like a serious target pistol.  Did you use a set trigger?

Don Richards

[Scota4570]

I did not.  The pull is smooth, crips and light.  No need for a set trigger.  It shoots very accurately as is.  I also shoot modern target pistols and switching back and forth might be an issue. 

I bought a set trigger for this project.  I discovered that it would required setting the trigger before cocking the hammer.  The weight of pull was crazy light.  I felt that it would have been prone to accidental discharges and be hazardous to future owners.  So, I sent it back.  It was my fault because I did not understand what I was buying. 

If someone has plans for a single set trigger that allows the pistol to function in a conventional manner I would enjoy making them for my next build.  It must be possible?  Winchester did it on a production basis for their rifles. 

 

[flintlock hunter]

It is possible, The pistol I shoot target with has a set trigger that let's you cock the gun unset. A few ounces set and about 3 pound unset. It's built like a Swiss watch. Always wanted to make a copy of it.

[Scota4570]

Beautiful pistol. 

A local shop has a pair of LePage like pistols, no box, at a reasonable price.  I may buy them to use as a pattern to copy.  I always like that style as well a some of the better British makers.

[Yazel.xring]

Very nice. Looks balanced and comfortable

[Daryl]

Both are lovely pistols. That original pistol is just plane delectable.
Scota, some scratching on the lock & checkering would be nice.
The design is very close to perfect. A spurred guard is surely a help as well
(for your next one).

[Scota4570]

I may have to embellish it a bit.  It shoots well enough to justify it.  I already engraved the pineapple on the guard frame.  I made a spurred trigger guard.  I was pretty but was awkward for me so I removed the spur.   

The attached group is at 25 yards standing up on my hind legs, no rest.  The target is the NMLRA 25 yard target.  The three on the right were before I moved the front sight.  I made a couple of  other similar group with it too.  It was not a fluke. 

The barrel is a GM 3/4" 40 cal.  It is very smooth.  I am shooting a .380 ball and a 0.023" patch wetted with MOS.  It loads way to easy to shoot this well. 

[Daryl]

Well done, Scota4570.  With light loads, you can get away with looser combinations.
That combo runs .426" total, so if the pistol has .010" or even .012" depth of rifling, you're
still getting to the bottom of the grooves.

[alacran]

Very good group if shot one handed.

[Notchy Bob]

That's a nice pistol, and some great shooting!

I'm interested in the breech and snail.  Is that a commercially available patent breech, or was it scratch-made by the pistol's builder?

Notchy Bob

[Scota4570]

I made the plug from scratch.  The picture below is mine and the inspiration pistol.  I now wish I had made the but cap a hair larger.  Locks as short as the original are not made, I would have had to make a mainspring and plate to make that happen.  And, the hammer is a bit different.  After a point I went for loose replica.