Post by: Detached on July 16, 2014, 10:31:23 AM
Who has experience with kits from these suppliers? How did it go? Was it what you expected?
Maybe you like and use a different supplier? Who? Contact info?
What else do I need to know?
I'll need to have the breech installed and most of the metalwork done. Probably have them do the majority of the inletting as well to save time.
Thanks.
Post by: Bigsmoke on July 16, 2014, 01:50:50 PM
I'd look there first, myself.
John
Post by: snake eyes on July 16, 2014, 02:10:58 PM
snake-eyes <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/emot-handshake.gif" alt=":shake" title="shake hands" />
Post by: Detached on July 16, 2014, 03:49:22 PM
Quote
Our precarved stocks are 90% inletted for the barrel, the lock, and other furniture.
I'm not of a mind to finish inletting 10% of the barrel. The other stuff I don't mind so much, but not that. A shame too, looks like a nice kit.
Anyone else?
Post by: doggoner on July 16, 2014, 04:50:13 PM
doggoner
Post by: Buzzard on July 16, 2014, 05:40:51 PM
Post by: Bigsmoke on July 16, 2014, 06:45:47 PM
So much more finished in appearance, dog gone near elegant.
I would probably opt for 20 ga and 36" bbl, but that is just me.
That just happens to be another one of them guns that got sold somewhere along the way, and I still wish I hadn't done it. Darn!! Just keep on making mistakes.
John
Post by: mario on July 17, 2014, 01:10:36 AM
English? French? Dutch?
17th century? 18th century? 19th century?
"Trade gun" can mean 20 different styles.
Mario
Post by: Detached on July 17, 2014, 07:29:28 AM
Quote from: "mario"
My question is what kind of trade gun?
English? French? Dutch?
17th century? 18th century? 19th century?
"Trade gun" can mean 20 different styles.
Mario
For the purposes of this thread, it is irrelevant.
As to the kit, I emailed Northstar and got an invitation to call him direct. Maybe I'll feel better about it after I speak with him. I really don't want to buy in-the-white, I'd like more to do than that. At the same time my head is telling me that inletting the barrel chanel will be a massive drudge. I might be overthinking it.
Nonetheless, the recommendation to look into their kits is spot on, and much appreciated.
Post by: Captchee on July 17, 2014, 08:19:35 PM
First concerning ToW ? What can I say . You pay their price or build the same gun from Pecatonica river ??.
Since Dick makes a lot of the stocks for ToW your not getting anything more then a mark up .
Sitting Fox . Ray makes some reasonably priced , entry level assemblies. However , Imo the wood he chooses for the stocks is often. IMO soft . Also sometimes the shaping and drilling is less then desirable . Again in My opinion.
I would also say that I often find that there is more work to get one of Ray’s piece’s proper , then there is on say one of Dics from Pecatonica .
What can I say about Matt other then he makes a quality product “Northwest Trade gun “ .
Unless something has changed , all the parts he or his smiths make . When he says 90% inlet, it means that the breech areas and tang must be inlet . But that’s the same for any of the places you listed .
Negatives. Sadly I must say that one of the worst examples of an “ in the white “ gun I have ever seen came from NSW . Factually I was so taken back by it that I questioned who had actually made it and that for the price paid, which was very closed to the finished cost at that time , he should have just let Matt finish the gun,.
That experience is also why I always recommend when purchasing someone’s “In the White “ to ask exactly what that means as the only real constant seems to be that the parts are inlet . The shape of the stock however apparently can be anything from a board cut to profile and the corners knocked off , to a piece that needs minor shaping and finish sanding to be complete .
I would also make one last comment
Quote
For the purposes of this thread, it is irrelevant.
I would disagree with that . The reason I would disagree is for the exact reasoning Mario stated .
depending on what you want is going to dictate who I would recommend to make a purchase from
IE . If the trade gun your looking at isn’t a NW gun , then there is no reason to mention North Star west
Their are any number of makers who can make you a gun in the white , that also make a lot of the other trade guns like the type G , D or C . or for that mater any number of fowlers both single and double barrel that also ended up being refurbished and then sent out as trade items
that’s also assuming your asking about a smooth bore vs. a trade rifle
Post by: Detached on July 18, 2014, 07:49:19 AM
Quote from: "Captchee"
First concerning ToW...You pay their price or build the same gun from Pecatonica river...Since Dick makes a lot of the stocks for ToW your not getting anything more then a mark up .
Excellent info. I did not know that. I did notice that some of the pictures and descriptions on certain sites seemed to be suspiciously close to one another!
Quote from: "Captchee"
Sitting Fox . Ray makes some reasonably priced entry level assemblies. However, Imo the wood he chooses for the stocks is often. IMO soft . Also sometimes the shaping and drilling is less then desirable . Again in My opinion. I would also say that I often find that there is more work to get one of Ray’s piece’s proper then there is on say one of Dics from Pecatonica.
Excellent info, exactly the kind of input I'm looking for!
Quote from: "Captchee"
What can I say about Matt other then he makes a quality product “Northwest Trade gun “ .
Unless something has changed , all the parts he or his smiths make . When he says 90% inlet, it means that the breech areas and tang must be inlet . But that’s the same for any of the places you listed .
If we're talking breech and tang, then no problem. The description sounds like I'll be inletting the entire length of the barrel. I am going to call him this afternoon and ask some questions.
Quote from: "Captchee"
Negatives. Sadly I must say that one of the worst examples of an “ in the white “ gun I have ever seen came from NSW .
Ok. At this point an in-the-white assembled gun isn't in the cards, but I will keep it in mind.
Quote from: "Captchee"
I would also make one last comment
"For the purposes of this thread, it is irrelevant."
I would disagree with that . The reason I would disagree is for the exact reasoning Mario stated .
depending on what you want is going to dictate who I would recommend to make a purchase from
IE . If the trade gun your looking at isn’t a NW gun , then there is no reason to mention North Star west
Well, Mario didn't state that anywhere in his post. He simply wants to know what kind I am going to build. Here's the thing: I asked who makes a decent trade gun kit. All anyone has to do is say "So and so makes one." If it's not what I'm looking for, that's on me. I'll move on to look other places with sincere thanks to the person who provided the info.
Here's what I am not going to do. I am not going to get sucked in to a debate about which gun is proper for my use, which one is historically accurate, etc. etc, ad-nauseum. The question had everything to do with that and nothing to do with who supplies which version. I have made up my mind, and am seeking advice from those with experience building the different kits. You have graciously provided excellent information along those lines, and it is greatly appreciated.
I will most likely end up purchasing from NW, but please keep the suggestions coming. Search engines only go so far!
Post by: Detached on July 18, 2014, 03:28:06 PM
Thanks for all the input!
Post by: Riley/MN on July 18, 2014, 04:11:39 PM
Post by: Captchee on July 18, 2014, 07:42:54 PM
Ill bet you a donut that the barrel will fit nice and tight . That the breech and tang needs inlet and that the undelugs need done .
Now most certainly you could get anal and continue to inlet the barrel perfectly . But frankly ?????
you going to be able to do the drilling , taping of threads , inletting of buttplate , lock , undelugs .......... you not buying a TC or some traditions here .
So what made you chose the NW gun over an earlier English or French . For that mater why a trade gun over a fowler ???
Frankly if you had ask ,
Quote
Ha , folks im looking and thinking of purchasing a smoothbore , either a fowler or a trade gun.
Which do you prefer and who would you recommend .
Matts name would have came up for the NW gun , but you would have gotten others as well.might want to have at least ask what other trade guns were out there .
but anyway , congrads on your purchase
Post by: Detached on July 18, 2014, 09:22:51 PM
Yes. Drilling, tapping, all that is no issue. I have a fairly extensive shop. Mostly woodworking, but some metal. It was never about not being able to, it was about an internal struggle between doing it myself and instant gratification.
DIY won.
Post by: Captchee on July 18, 2014, 09:32:33 PM
Post by: mario on July 18, 2014, 09:55:17 PM
Quote from: "Detached"
Quote from: "Captchee"I would also make one last comment
"For the purposes of this thread, it is irrelevant."
I would disagree with that . The reason I would disagree is for the exact reasoning Mario stated .
depending on what you want is going to dictate who I would recommend to make a purchase from
IE . If the trade gun your looking at isn’t a NW gun , then there is no reason to mention North Star west
Well, Mario didn't state that anywhere in his post. He simply wants to know what kind I am going to build. Here's the thing: I asked who makes a decent trade gun kit. All anyone has to do is say "So and so makes one." If it's not what I'm looking for, that's on me. I'll move on to look other places with sincere thanks to the person who provided the info.
I asked because it would be a waste of everyone's time (including your own) to suggest makers of French Trade guns when you are looking for a Northwest Gun, vice versa.
Has nothing to do with historical accuracy. Has everything to do with getting you accurate information.
Mario