Rookie gun builder Sharps 45-70 too ambitious?

[Cuzzun_itt]

Hey Gang,

I was thinking about a building an AK but I seem to have
switched gears after reading some of Alphawolf's posts.

I think I would like to build a replica of a Sharps 45-70.

Ya'll think it's too much for a rookie?

I built (well I assembled a kit) a Colt Walker black powder
pistol a long time a go. It was fun and all I had for tools
was a screwdrive a hammer and a file.

A cnc would have to make it somewhat simpler.

Itt

 

[Tom Griffin]

If you need to ask, then it probably is. Scratch building guns is very involved and requires a lot of non-standard machining practices that you need to be able to apply. It also requires a lot of special tooling and fixtures that you also need to have the ability to design an make. You might be better off sticking to assembling a gun like the AK or an AR15, where all the parts are available, or tackle a more advanced black powder gun the requires more fitting if you want to get into some machining. Building any gun from scratch is a very advanced project. It also takes a lot of time. I probably have 400 hours in this project so far including the design, and there are many more to go until it's finished.

I've been working on my Steven's Favorite for nearly a year now and have most of the major parts finished. I'm currently building the tang sight and a set-up to drill and rifle the barrel. When that is complete, the parts need to be hardened and blued which is another project in itself. It has been one of the most challenging projects I've tackled and I am a prototype machinist by trade.

Tom

 

[Bill Gruby]

Outside of posting on Toms' build of the Stevens I rarely even look at this section. Your question stuck out so here is my answer.

Only you can say what is ambitious. We can guide you towards that decision. I am not against guns. I own only one, a Desert Eagle 50. They are just not a priority item to me.

Anytime you start to think about a project like this you should sit down and look at it head on. What is involved, do I have the skills necessary to carry this out. If the answer to that last one is no or I'm not sure, case closed. If the answers are yes, have at it.

By your own admission you say you are a "Rookie". A weapon like the "Sharps" takes a lot of skill to produce. Sometimes it's best to crawl rather than get up and start dunning. The fall can de horendous.

"Billy G" :whistle:

 

[Alphawolf45]

CuzzinITT You'll never know unless you try..I rather see you build an american classic than a dang sheetmetal commie gun.. If you like I'll build a Sharps too and we can compare notes. I have a new .45-70 barrel blank that needs me to build a receiver for it .Indeed I already bought the dies and bullet molds and brass and dont have anything in that caliber yet..When you want to start?

The only thing REALLY difficult about a gun build is keeping the interest going long enough to finish..Everything else can be handled as it needs to be done. Certainly need to be able to make a lot of special cutters but there is nothing about it a sharp fellow cant handle with sufficient determination.

Yeah I got a couple projects I've been working on for several years now.. I work when I feel like it..It just a hobby anyway..

 

[ranch23]

Hmmm, I have an octagon blank, I believe is a 50 caliber. I think that plans are available on the ASSRA website. Ill check.

 

[ranch23]

Yes, they have plans for the 1874 available at $10. I will get a set on the way.

 

[Alphawolf45]

Yes, they have plans for the 1874 available at $10. I will get a set on the way.

I want to hear what you think of that set of drawings. While building a Sharps has been on my bucketlist for a while I havent yet tried to find drawings.

I got almost half done building a Sharps Borchardt and quit because the set of drawings I acquired were so bad that they tripped me up about three times and I lost all interest in it. Dont need the aggravation.

 

[OakRidgeGuy]

You might find some blue prints for the action here.. plus other wonderful info..

http://www.weaponeer.net/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=1

 

[Alphawolf45]

I'd actually rather build the 1863 percussion cap fired Sharps.The one actually used in the Civil War .. However I never seen drawings offered for it nor even good sketchs of internals to work from.

Would be working from pictures and applying edjamacated guesses ...But I know a tool and diemaker that might have one and can provide a few dimensions- he already helped me with some measurements for the Maynard and has given me some dimensions for my future Burnside build...

It'd be great to see a guy or two build a Sharps..I only know one fellow on another forum who built one. And that man, by the way, has not got a real well equipped shop, did the work with imagination and determination..Have lost track of him but can find his build thread if anybody is interested.

Ohh hey, off on a tangent...If you want to see a purty home built gun here is the purtiest I have ever seen..Way better than anything I will ever build..
http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=30;t=25945

 

[ranch23]

WOW!, you're right, that is one fine piece of metal. Check ASSRA for the 1863, there is a lot of great info there.