Going to try making my first blackpowder pistol

[amateurhour]

My birthday is coming up and I've decided to make a blackpowder pistol.

I looked around through about a dozen sites from Bud's Gun shop to private want ads on armslist and ended up at Deer Creek Products. I've got a hard budget of ~$200 for the kit itself (I can go a little over with shipping since there shouldn't be any sales tax) so I've narrowed it down to two models.

I'd like to stick to a .50cal since eventually I might also get a rifle and that will be .50 as well so I can just get one mold for my shots.

Here's what I'm trying to decide between.

The Kentucky

http://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p675/Kentucky_Pistol_Kit_50cal._Perc..html

And the American

http://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p669/American_Pistol_Kit.html

The American is actually the old CVA kit that isn't made anymore. Deer Creek sells all of the replacement parts so they've cobbled together a few of the original kits from parts and sell them, minus the original packaging.

I'm leaning toward the American because of the price but I'd love some opinions.

[jaxenro]

The American is sort of the old hawken or mountain pistol I like it better. Expect to do some serious work these aren't as finely fitted as a pedersoli kit for example or a Great Plains pistol.

[amateurhour]

Yeah I know I'll have a MAJOR amount of fitting to do with the American especially since it's likely a 30 year old CVA kit with mismatched parts.

[jaxenro]

I made a few of the mountain pistols even when new you needed to fiddle with the lock to get it all to line up

[amateurhour]

E-mailed the poor lady at customer service probably 10 times this morning and it turns out they hadn't updated their prices so the 50cal Kentucky kit was only like $10 more than the old CVA kit.

Ended up getting the .50cal Kentucky Pistol Kit, so Pappy I guess I've got a new project.

Should be here by Friday, going to probably start on it sometime the following weekend, will definitely post pictures as I go, and video!

[JW_Halverson]

Yippee!

[mullet]

It's an easy kit to put together. My first Black Powder was the Colonial Kit from CVA, $65. The triggers on the Spanish kits rattled a little but mine is a tack driver in .45 cal. Even killed a hog with it.

[amateurhour]

Man I wish those kits were still that cheap. Although to be fair they did have their version of the CVA colonial kit for like $130 so that's not too bad considering they're not made any more.

Yeah I'd like to take a shot at some game with it possibly so I went with the Kentucky because it seemed to be a bit more accurate and adjustable (sights-wise) than the CVA copy of the Lyman Plains Pistol.

SO EXCITED! Shipping says it arrives tomorrow but I want to wait until I have a chance to head back to Twin Oaks to start messing with it so I can have the expert help.