This article first appeared in Muzzle Blasts Magazine in 2020. NMLRA Members get access to digital scans of all the Muzzle Blasts Magazines since 1938. Join Today

Part 1 was published in Muzzle Blasts Magazine in September 2020

Part 2 was published in Muzzle Blasts Magazine in October 2020

Part 3 was published in Muzzle Blasts Magazine in November 2020

By Fred Stutzenberger

Part I of this series presented alternatives for solving one of the most vexing problems in the making of a muzzleloading pistol”: “There is little difference between making a rifle and making a pistol-except: how does a smith hang onto a pistol stock while working on it?” (Chuck Dixon 61). The modification of vises and the construction of bench-mounted supports were described. Here, the use of simple and rapid machining methods for the mating of barrel and stock will be described. Then you can begin shaping the stock in relationship to the barrel.

Before you start any of that, you have to ask yourself, “What am I going to use it for?” If all you want is a target pistol and do not care for traditional aesthetics, consider Master Pistol Champion Pete Allan’s perspective: “The way I see my target pistols, they are just tools and not things of beauty, so don’t worry about what they look like—just get them to shoot straight and practice a lot. You can always build some traditional looking pistols later to keep around to show people who probably aren’t interested anyway.”