New to the Builder hobby, could use some pointers

[ElvinWarrior]

Hey guys, newbie here, new to Calguns, new to customizing guns, not new at all to collecting or kit building, I have some skills, but not all the skills I need to perform a reproduction rifle modification, a few pointers, tips, or advice would be dearly appreciated here.

What I would like to do, is modify a Remington 44 Cal cylinder (Revolver) Rifle, which had a plain unstocked barrel poking out the end. Not only is the stock rifle a bit odd in appearance, it's a bit unworkable as well, the thin barrel doesn't give alot to hold onto and steady. I want to add on to the rifle a partial forestock (See photos) along with a brass fore-end butt plate, and, a long, brass, telescoping scope, of the type and vintage used in those days.

I am at a quandry as to how to best attach the partial fore-stock. Should I use simple brass barrel clamps? Should I have a couple of short flanges welded to the underside of the barrel so that keeper pins can be inserted through the fore-stock, through the flange, and locking down on the other side of the forestock?... One of both maybe?

Any suggestions on this would be appreciated as I intend to go through with my project, for better or worse... LOL...!!!











Thanks Guys !!!

Sincerely,

Elvin Warrior... aka... Dave

[Barabas]

I would likely fabricate two part scope rings that also had flanges on the underside to mount the forend to, along the lines of a shotgun mag clamp but built to engage the barrel flats. Not historically accurate, but mechanically sound. The octagonal barrel will prevent any torquing of the forend and prevent changing zero on the scope. I know it's a repro and you may not feel the same way I do, but I try not to do permanent modifications to frames and barrels.

[ElvinWarrior]

Dear Barabas,

Thanks for the suggestion !!! I LIKE that idea alot !!! I can pick up some scope mounting clamps that clamp around an octagonal barrel from several sources, I think they are brass, which would be very easy to either solder or braze brass flanges onto. To be honest, I didn't like the idea of welding a flange onto the bottom of a barrel, I was concerned that the high heat of steel welding could warp or weaken the steel of the barrel, possibly even compromising the safety of the barrel. Your suggestion preserves not only the original design, but also, does not endanger the strength of the barrel due to heat fatique!!! Great Suggestion !!! THANKS !!!

Sincerely,

Elvin Warrior... aka... Dave

[Barabas]

On my early period BP projects, I would chisel out a slot and stake a lug in place. Later ones would have a dovetail cut and the lug slotted in, neither of which involved heat, but did permanently modify the barrel. Building from scratch, I don't mind doing so as much since I can usually replace the part quickly. Doing at least two at a time eases the possibility of screwing up too, since the chances of making the same mistake twice is halved.

If you have a brazing setup, you can just build up the lugs on the scope rings and hand file to fit. That's exactly what I'd do for a one off.

[ElvinWarrior]

At this time I don't have a brazing set-up, which is not really a barrier at all. There are all kinds of automotive shops set up for welding/brazing, and they don't charge very much for simple jobs like this. Of course, a good gunsmith could do that for me as well, but I think the gunsmiths would be alot more expensive than an automotive shop that can do the same thing, alot cheaper. I do have however, a grinding/polishing wheel, a very large and nice set of hand files, both in larger sizes, and miniature jewelry files as well. I also have a dremel motor tool, with tones of accessories. so, cleaning up the whole affair, and grinding/filining to a precision fit, is something I can do on my own.

Thanks again for the help !!! The more I interact with the people here, the more impressed I am with the lot of you !!!

Sincerely,

Elvin Warrior, aka Dave...

P.S.... Just a couple kit pics of some other projects I want to complete in the next few months or so....