The dismal selection of plains rifle parts for making rifles

[Quickdraw]

Howdy boys!
I do enjoy making ML rifles. With the continuing emphasis on guns "back east", its downright difficult to find plains rifle stuff for gun building!!

Anyone run into this problem before? If you dont build a Hawkin, there is almost nothing out there. I am currently doing a Leman trade rifle--and I guess that qualifies for western frontier.

There are no shaped stocks for the heavy rifles. I guess we would need to just suck it up and start with a stock blank, but that is kind of scarry.

Any thoughts on this problem are welcome!!

Ed

[Caleb Hobbs]

I've been leaning toward building a Leaman trade rifle with parts from either TVM or Track of the Wolf, pre-carved stoks included. It would be the biggest project I've done yet as far as building a rifle. (I've done a few kits in the distant past.) I'm thinking many years ago, Track offered a J. Henry trade rifle in a kit form, but I could be mistaken. My old catalogs are buried since our last move. It would be interesting to see if they still carried the parts separately. I mentioned in another post that I'd like to see some photos of your work. We could use a rifle maker who covers a later period.

Caleb

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

I thought that they had more kits, but here is one listed as a kit ... otherwise I would call them ... they may have more available as kits but do not list them :

http://www.octobercountry.com/products/Lyman-Great-Plains-Rifle-Percussion-Kit-.50-%26-.54.html

TTFN,

[JimBob]

Here's one that might bear looking at-

http://www.donstith.com/h_e__dimick.html

[Quickdraw]

Jim Bob--
Now yer talkin! Thats a fine looking Dimick kit! 1 1/8" barrel too---plains rifle size, and it tapers so you can shoot it offhand. Thanks for the info----

Wadd--
Thanks for the info on this rifle---would be a great hunter!

Caleb---
I think Track doid have a Henry kit at one time. The Leman has been a easy project---you otta get one. Mine is 54 and a 30" barrel for horseback. Real handy size--weight. Will be a good hunter. Will stripe this with india ink.

I will post a pix of a Hawkin I built----the only problem is I work reeeel slow!

Ed

[JimBob]

Quickdraw here's a picture of an original rifle I saved,not specifically a "plains" rifle but I liked the look of it-


http://www.pbase.com/halp/read

[Tascosa Joe]

QD:
Have you looked at COL Goodnight's rifle at the museum in Canyon?  It looks similiar to the Reed in this thread.  I always thought that would be a great Plains rifle.
T-Joe

[Quickdraw]

Guys,
Thanks for the info on the original halfstock and Goodnight rifle in Canyon Tex.

I found a great discussion forum on longrifles---americanlongrifles.com  . They have discussions on all aspects of ML gun building.

Ed

[Oregon Bill]

QD: I have seen and handled numerous Plains rifles very similar the Read, with hooked trigger guard, double-set triggers, back-action (as well as side of course) and extremely heavy barrels, more often than not full-stocked.
Another rifle I might have mentioned in another thread is this Wesson-style boxlock allegedly carried or very similar to one carried by legendary Texas Ranger Jack Coffee Hayes:



I took the photo at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. I'd like to have one of these someday, including the "lollipop" tang peep sight.

[JimBob]

QD: I have seen and handled numerous Plains rifles very similar the Read, with hooked trigger guard, double-set triggers, back-action (as well as side of course) and extremely heavy barrels, more often than not full-stocked.
Another rifle I might have mentioned in another thread is this Wesson-style boxlock allegedly carried or very similar to one carried by legendary Texas Ranger Jack Coffee Hayes:



I took the photo at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. I'd like to have one of these someday, including the "lollipop" tang peep sight.

Here ya go Oregon Bill


http://www.longrifles-pr.com/allenboxlock.shtml

[wolflobo76]

I recently received my Lyman Plains rifle  in .54 . Got both barrels with it, the 1 in 60  round ball   and the 1 in 32 hunter  for conicals. also got the Plains Pistol in .54 to go with it. I purchased both from Mid South shooters out of Clarksville,Tn  they also sell both the .50 and .54 Plains rifle in kit form . whether the kit or all finished the price is very reasonable and less than other retailers that I checked out. Their sight is midsouthshooters.com  I have done alot of buying from them and have never been disappointed.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I recently received my Lyman Plains rifle  in .54 . Got both barrels with it, the 1 in 60  round ball   and the 1 in 32 hunter  for conicals. also got the Plains Pistol in .54 to go with it. I purchased both from Mid South shooters out of Clarksville,Tn  they also sell both the .50 and .54 Plains rifle in kit form . whether the kit or all finished the price is very reasonable and less than other retailers that I checked out. Their sight is midsouthshooters.com  I have done alot of buying from them and have never been disappointed.

I like Midsouth.  Their prices are low, mostly below list, and customer service is GREAT.  Better still they don't hesitate to ship outside the US if the item is not listed.  Guns & ammo won't be shipped to foreign addresses but that is where I get bullet moulds & stuff.

[Jake MacReedy]

Try Pecatonica River Long Rifle Supply: http://www.longrifles-pr.com/

They have parts and stocks, and will inlet them for you, for Plains Rifles.

Regards,
Jake

[Oregon Bill]

JimBob: Yep, that Pecatonica kit is on my list!
Regarding Midsouth, I too have had very good luck with them and like their prices.