Hardware for the next gun

[mgbruch]

Just finished making the butt plate, trigger guard, and double set triggers for rifle number ten from a blank.  They need edges beveled for inletting and a little more finish work, which they'll get when it's time to put them on; but they have their final shape and dimensions.

I actually make the double set triggers first; I like to get them out of the way.  This will only be the fourth gun to carry my own triggers, so I still feel like I'm new at them.  I take my time, and they function perfectly.

I make my trigger guard second; so it gets custom made for the triggers.  That way allows me to know everything will fit nicely, and look good.  This is a new style of guard for me; it took just a bit of fussing, but I got it the way I wanted.  And I learned what to do on the next one to make it go easier.

Last comes the butt plate.  I never finish laying out a gun I have these parts made. And obviously I have the lock, stock, and barrel.  I do a preliminary layout, without the plate and guard, just drawing in the curvature of the plate, because it will be pretty close.  Mostly I want to know that my trigger guard fits properly with respect to the curve of the wrist, where the triggers will be, and where the front guard screw will be placed in the stock.  Stuff like that is important.

I make all of the other iron furniture for the gun as well; but those things get made when it's time to put them on.  Sights are always last.

[smylee grouch]

Looks like nice work. What did you use for the springs?

[steven baker]

Nice work,I would like to know what steel that you used for the triggers? thanks and take care Steven.

[BOB HILL]

Very nice work. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

[Fly Navy]

Nicely done.

[mgbruch]

Thanks for the good words.  The triggers are made from spring steel.  1070 or 1075,  3/16" thick. I can't remember which.  I got it several years ago, and have only used half of it.  The main spring I make from a 3" concrete spike.  It must be annealed before it can be worked, and it's the perfect shape and thickness to start with.  The trigger spring is made from a hacksaw blade.  The cheaper, store brand hacksaw blades, which I prefer, make good springs.  On the trigger return spring, I give it lust a little upsweep bend before I temper it.  The springs are tempered once everything is fit properly.  The triggers are tempered once they receive their final finish.

[HighUintas]

Beautiful. I love the trigger guard.

Care to share how you went about riveting the buttplate before brazing it?

[cshirsch]

Very nice.

[mgbruch]

Prior to riveting, I first make sure I've filed the surfaces and have good tight contact on them.  I also make sure that all bending of the parts is finished.

I use a number 6 soft iron finishing nail (not the "bright" ones) and a 7/64 drill bit.  I drill a hole straight through the face of the plate, about a quarter inch from the top edge, and centered.  I then drill through the top of plate, eye-balling the angle I need for the hole.  That hole is also about a quarter inch from the rear of the piece, and centered.

Then I countersink the holes, cut the nail to length, and peen it in.

for the actual peening...  I leave the nail long and insert it from the top of the plate.  I put the pieces on the bench vise with the long part of the nail clamped in the vise, and peen the head of the nail in the countersink on the top of the plate.  Once I have that one done, I cut the nail, and set the plate up in the vise with a piece of 3/8 inch thick iron bar, as shown in the photo.  The holds everything steady while I peen the cut end into the countersink on the face of the plate, and it provides a very rigid surface on the other side of the rivet (nail) to peen against.

Once riveted, everything fits nice and snug.  The two parts can be moved, to ensure proper alignment, but they're tight enough they don't move on their own.

I hope that answered your question.

[HighUintas]

Absolutely! Thank you very much. That will be a big help in attempting my first.