Modified off the shelf kits.

[Rt5403]

I was thinking of making my boy a rifle out of one of the off the shelf kits. Has anyone done any modifications to these to make them look a little less cookie cutter? Pictures for inspiration would be great.

[T*O*F]

30 or so years ago, Golden Age Arms published this in their catalog.  A person does not have to be constrained by the basic shape of a pre-carve as most have more than adequate wood left to achieve a specific goal.  Use your imagination.  Clicking on the picture will result in a larger view from which you could make a template.

[bob in the woods]

You can modify them to the point where they would  only be recognizable to the learned eye.
You would be surprised how much wood I removed from my last Chamber's kit.   Even Kibler kits can be modified, enhanced ...what ever term you use. Just go for it 

[smart dog]

Hi,
Often.
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=52258.msg521016#msg521016
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=56494.msg574210#msg574210
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=66614.0

However, when you write "off the shelf kits" do you mean those like Traditions, Pedersoli, CVA, etc? They can be modified to make them a bit better looking and more historically correct but it is very limited.  I've seen some folks reshape the stocks a bit and add carving and inlays.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it is putting lip stick on a pig.
 
dave

[Rt5403]

Yes those are the kits I was talking about. Thought it would be cheaper and quicker to get him shooting. I have thought of building a scratch gun for him or a higher end kit but not sure the money can be justified for such a short period. He is a growing boy and I'm not a fast builder 😂.

[smart dog]

Hi,
Here is a link to a thread on another forum about reworking a Traditions kit:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/my-modified-build-of-a-traditions-kentucky-rifle-kit.115915/

dave

[P.W.Berkuta]

For me to make a high end gun for a young kid for his first BP rifle is something I would not do unless he can take care of it properly. I built and am building two flintlocks for my grand kids. They don't shoot as of yet but who knows in the future. I am not skilled enough to build high end guns with fancy do-dads and fancy carving just nice guns with some do-dads and carving. 

[Hungry Horse]

 I think the making them a little bit more authentic is pretty easy. But most mass produced production guns have inferior locks, and triggers, that by the time you replace some furniture, and the lock, and maybe the triggers, you could buy a high end kit like Chambers, or Kiblers, and skip all that fooling around. And not have to do major modifications to the stock as well.


  Hungry Horse

[thecapgunkid]

I've made about seven Lil Feller kits from Jim Chambers, surprised at how much wood can be removed to re-shape the stock, how much the hardware can be substituted and so on.

Bob In The woods is right about the learned eye, and the finished gun seems well sized for a young shooter.   I am five eight and can get down real tight on the 13" pull because I prefer that over stretching to shoot.