Build or Buy Already Built

[Ohio Joe]

I was looking around the websites to see what's being offered today for those coming into (or already in) the traditional muzzle loading hobby/sport, and the prices just about floored me for kit, and finished muzzle loading firearms.

Granted, I started out on kit rifles and pistols 40+ years ago, and I know things go up in price - they always do.

However, if you have some wood and metal working skills, I'm of the opinion a person is way better off buying parts and building their own smoke pole from places like - Track of the Wolf, Muzzleloader Builders Supply, (just to name a few - and there's more out there).

Things you can actually make depending on your skill level are;

Stock, trigger & trigger plate, front & rear sights, retainer pins, barrel lugs, toe plate, to name a few.
Things like (under-rib's, thimbles/brass tubing, screws) - can be purchased at a local hardware or hobby store.

It really depends on how much you want to do yourself, and how much you want to purchase up front.

Lock, barrel, breech plug, butt-plate, trigger guard, nose cap, touch hole vent, or drum & nipple - I'd recommend buying up front.

All in all, with what's being offered from quality supply houses you can adjust what you would require that you can't make or buy local, and still build a more quality smoke-pole then what you pay for an offshore muzzle loader.

At the very least if you want a good quality smoke pole, buy a piece at a time (over time) and make it an on going project.

Just some idea's on other routes available to the folks who want to build, but think it's to expensive.  

[Mike Brooks]

I started building my own MLs in 1980 because I couldn't afford to get one any other way.

[Bigsmoke]

I dunno Joe.
I have looked at the results of a few guns I have tried to build, and being absolutely honest with myself, decided not to quit my day job.  Oh well, at least I have been able to salvage the metal parts and resell them.
The good news is that I have been able to support people who are competent to build what I wanted, so that spreads a little happiness around.  And I get a firearm that looks great.

[Hank in WV]

My story is pretty much the same as Mikes'.

[Hillbillytroll]

Personally I enjoy the hands on satisfaction I get from building my own gear, from the weapon to the accessories. I've still got 2 of the 3 full stock flinters I've built over the years, as one was gifted and enjoyed and still enjoy doing for myself.
I've still got a couple more builds in me before I'm done, a full stock flinter  Hawken for one, which I'm gathering parts for right now.
I've found that if one has patience and some skills for crafting, buying a part here and a part there until you get enough for a build, its pretty easy on the budget and is very satisfying when one finally get a finished product.

[Ohio Joe]

Personally I enjoy the hands on satisfaction I get from building my own gear, from the weapon to the accessories. I've still got 2 of the 3 full stock flinters I've built over the years, as one was gifted and enjoyed and still enjoy doing for myself.
I've still got a couple more builds in me before I'm done, a full stock flinter  Hawken for one, which I'm gathering parts for right now.
I've found that if one has patience and some skills for crafting, buying a part here and a part there until you get enough for a build, its pretty easy on the budget and is very satisfying when one finally get a finished product.

There truly is a feeling of satisfaction when building and completing your own building projects - be it the firearm, accessories, and gear.  

[Hawken]

Personally I enjoy the hands on satisfaction I get from building my own gear, from the weapon to the accessories. I've still got 2 of the 3 full stock flinters I've built over the years, as one was gifted and enjoyed and still enjoy doing for myself.
I've still got a couple more builds in me before I'm done, a full stock flinter  Hawken for one, which I'm gathering parts for right now.
I've found that if one has patience and some skills for crafting, buying a part here and a part there until you get enough for a build, its pretty easy on the budget and is very satisfying when one finally get a finished product.

[Hillbillytroll]

Mighty fine rifle Hawken! Pics like that really gets ones adrenaline flowing for their next build.

[Fletcher]

I have built some, bought some new, bought some used and traded for some.
My youngin even won a nice new gun as first prize in the Juniors category at a
Rondy some years back.  Can't say I wasn't happy about any of the transactions Can't wait to get home and shoot a bunch to git ready fer that Silly Wet Shoot !

[Hawken]

Mighty fine rifle Hawken! Pics like that really gets ones adrenaline flowing for their next build. <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/fing25.gif" alt="" title="hairy" />

This photo is a mite better:

[Ohio Joe]

I have built some, bought some new, bought some used and traded for some.
My youngin even won a nice new gun as first prize in the Juniors category at a
Rondy some years back.  Can't say I wasn't happy about any of the transactions Can't wait to get home and shoot a bunch to git ready fer that Silly Wet Shoot !

We need volunteers for an expedition to rescue Fletcher from the clutches of the left coast. The man has gone way to long without smelling the soothing odor of the white smoke. His mind is still sharp and his thinking is good, "Just get one any way you can, learn to shoot it and have fun." Absolutely!  

[Bigsmoke]

We need volunteers for an expedition to rescue Fletcher from the clutches of the left coast. The man has gone way to long without smelling the soothing odor of the white smoke. His mind is still sharp and his thinking is good, "Just get one any way you can, learn to shoot it and have fun." Absolutely!  

[size=200]Help !!  Help !! [/size]

Don't forget about ol' Bigsmoke on yer way down to rescue Fletcher.  I needs extracating too.

[Ohio Joe]

We need volunteers for an expedition to rescue Fletcher from the clutches of the left coast. The man has gone way to long without smelling the soothing odor of the white smoke. His mind is still sharp and his thinking is good, "Just get one any way you can, learn to shoot it and have fun." Absolutely!   ... We need to extract Bigsmoke as well! You're on the list, John!  

[Fletcher]

You comin' to Monroe show there Bigsmoke?  Love ta see ya since I missed my chance down here.
Still looking for a pointer to the entry form,  lost mine in Montana  :horse

[Eric Krewson]

OK, here is my take on the subject, some people have it to build, some people don't. I build bows and teach bow making, out of a dozen or so students, three completed bows, the rest quit the process.

Not everyone has the patience, hand eye coordination for tool control or the eyes to see shapes and what they should be to make a correctly shaped stock.

I was once a serious duck decoy carver and had a friend try his hand at it. He made all his ducks with a pointed bill like woody woodpecker. No matter how many times I pointed out this error he couldn't see it. His duck bills looked correct to him, he had no hint of an artist's eye.

You see the same thing with all those grotesquely bad tattoos people are wearing, they think they are carrying around a Rembrandt when they actually look like a 6th grader made them, no artist's eye.

If you want to try building, get an assembly kit like a Lyman first if you have no background in wood work.

I bought a Track Issac Hanes kit the other day, the initial guy who bought it realized he didn't have the skills to build it and traded it to another guy for some bows. I bought it off the bow trader for $650 shipped. When I totaled the parts cost on Track's order form it came to over $1100. Lots of money to drop by the first buyer who got excited about building a rifle without the skills.