Author Topic: How to grip - at the wrist with brass guard (Read 1974 times)

YorkCountian · « **on:** January 07, 2024, 02:33:32 AM »

Beginner here...I am building a Kibler Colonial. I never used a flintlock before. It is all new. While working and carrying the rifle it felt really nice. Back and forth from the shop to the house if felt good. Then I put the brass tigger guard on and now it is an awkward oversized handful. What is the purpose of all that brass? To prevent a break at the wrist? Where do my fingers go when shooting it?
Thanks,
Tedd

JPK · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2024, 03:30:18 AM »

Shoulder the rifle and aline the sights, disregard the trigger guard and focus on shooting.

Top Jaw · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2024, 04:42:55 AM »

Most of the time if you’re carrying a muzzle loading rifle, you are carrying it in one hand up near the rear sight balance point - or cradled in your left arm if you’re right handed. If you’re super bothered by it, it sounds like you would need a gun with a fowler type guard on it. Retrofitting one To the Kibler Colonial would be difficult, since the existing inlets for the rifle guard are wider than most any Fowler trigger guards you could find.

It would require setting the triggers in deeper and filing away most of the remnant of the existing trigger guard inlet. All of which may still not be possible given available wood clearance for new guard inlet after removing enough of the existing guard inlet.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2024, 05:13:48 AM »

I assume it , the guard is inlet to its proper depth. A picture of the gun with guard installed might be helpful.

Daryl · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2024, 10:17:53 PM »

Picture!! I cannot envision/imagine your dilemma.

rich pierce · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2024, 10:34:54 PM »

He can’t grip the wrist wood like on a pistol grip modern gun. It’s just different. Some like the Beck style guard where the rail comes close to the wrist.

Daryl · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2024, 01:45:28 AM »

I myself find the Beck trigger guard to be uncomfortable. When shooting the rifle, I have to make myself ignore the rear projection on the guard as it is uncomfortable in my fingers.
I assume my hand it too large for the guard, or guard too small for my hand.
Non of the other guards on my guns are troublesome due, perhaps to the pointy end.

This one is MUCH more comfortable.

YorkCountian · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2024, 02:29:21 AM »

Yes! That's it. Thank you for understanding what I was saying. I will take some pics ASAP. Got way too busy the last couple days. And tonight the shades I ordered for my shop showed up so I am installing them instead of rifle making.
I am used to my little 20 ga shotgun and grabbing this felt awkward.
My brass trigger guard did stand away farther than it should. I guess its was bent a bit and stood too far off the rifle. I bumped it down with a rubber mallet while it was on the rifle. I didn't wan to over do it. I can go a little farther but stopped there for now. I'll sand and thin the brass to make it slimmer. It feels better already.
Sorry for not posting pics.
Tedd

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2024, 06:20:32 PM »

Some short guards can to me be uncomfortable/unnatural, and particularly those with spurs in (to me) the wrong places.

My Mark Silver from Jim Chambers has a great guard. nice and long and never notice it in use. Fingers don't fall off the rear end!

mgbruch · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2024, 07:29:24 PM »

It would be possible to modify a different grip, which is going to require a fair bit of both metalworking and woodworking skills. If your experience is limited to the assembly of one Kibler kit, you could very well end up with a botched job... and much bigger problems.

My suggestion is to handle and shoot the gun. A comfortable grip for handling and shooting will find itself. The guard on your Colonial is what it is. There are a lot of different hands out there with a stock and guard that are identical to yours. If it never does feel right, then you can sell it and get something more comfortable.

Daryl · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2024, 01:36:40 AM »

HA!- just checked the picture of a Kibler Colonial. Fingers go around the outside of the bow. The guard should not be bent in, unless your hands are quite small.
It needs to fit.

James Rogers · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2024, 03:20:27 AM »

I guess my hunting rifle's guard wouldn't suit ; )

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2024, 06:18:16 PM »

James,
That guard looks long enough for all the fingers. (Brandenburg style) so should feel really nice in use!
I still want to make a rifle with such a guard, and have most of the lock and a barrel,

James Rogers · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2024, 07:32:35 PM »

Jim Hash gave me the form he made to forge that guard but I haven't made one yet. When you get ready to do one I can send you pictures and measurements of that form if you'd like. Its super comfortable.

Daryl · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2024, 09:33:58 PM »

Quote from: James Rogers on January 10, 2024, 03:20:27 AM

I guess my hunting rifle's guard wouldn't suit ; )

THAT would fit my hand nicely I think.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2024, 05:54:36 AM »

James,

That would be wonderful, and Very kind of you!

Thank you for the offer!

EC121 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2024, 02:40:03 AM »

I had an uncomfortable guard once. I kept tapping the grip rail with a piece of sledgehammerhandle until it bent in some and still let the triggers work. It was still on the rifle while I did it.

YorkCountian · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2024, 02:40:45 AM »

Mine stood too far from the gun. A few bumps with a rubber mallet put it in place. It feels good now.
Thank you,

Daryl · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2024, 08:44:06 PM »

That looks just fine to me.

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Author Topic: How to grip - at the wrist with brass guard (Read 1974 times)