I had the same situation here in Va. and I explored several ideas. I bought a White Mountain Carbine from a pawn shop for $90. The barrel and lock where like new, but some kind of plaque or something had been on the butt stock, and left 4 holes. The barrel has a 1 in 20 twist. Most pistols are 1 in 18 to 1 in 25. I was going to make a stock from scratch, but decided to cut it down into a "Mare's Leg". I cut the stock off just behind the pistol grip, and made a metal butt plate. I chopped the barrel off at 16 3/4" and browned the barrel and other metal. It is more fun than you could imagine. I shoot 50 grains and a patched .490 ball. I might eventually make a pistol stock, but for this year, I'm good to go.