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Inletting issues?

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Birddog1911

40 Cal
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I've been slowly inletting for the barrel, and before I screw something up, wanted to check with the experts.

First, it looks like I may need to move the barrel back slightly from where it sits. Though not pictured, the forward line, which is correct for the breech, is slightly forward of the center of the pan.

Another thing I noted. The breech end is just about sitting at the bottom. But, as it rests that way, the barrel is "pointing up" out of the muzzle end. If I try to push it back into the channel, it raises the breech. Should I focus more on the muzzle end being proper, and work from that direction?

Looking at the side, it does seem to me that the barrel is overall high in the stock, if I'm supposed to set it at the middle of the horizontal flat of the barrel.
 

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I’m guessing this stock was pre-inletted fit this barrel and you are finishing up the job. Correct?

I solder or epoxy a piece of metal about an inch wide and 3” long crossways atop the top barrel flat at the breech, and stick a tapered wooden dowel in the muzzle, and lift the barrel out from both ends at once using these as handles. I mention this because it’s easy to get inletting black transfer at both breech and muzzle when you lever the barrel out from one end. Then you end up deep there and shallow in the middle.

You need to move the barrel back to get decent contact of the breech end with the wood behind it.
 
Not an expert here, but I’ve been where you’re at. First thing I would do is establish where the barrel needs to sit in proximity to the pan. Is the barrel marked where the touch hole should be? Put the lock in; That will let you know if the barrel needs to go back or forward since the lock mortise looks like it’s already done.
About the barrel not laying flat in the channel. If the fore stock is slightly warped it may do this. There are ways to remedy that which have been posted in at least one other thread I’ve read here.
Finally, you can lower the stock forearm sides along the barrel once it’s been properly bed. According to most builders I have learned from here, the sides shouldn’t be above halfway up the sides/flats. This will give it a slimmer appearance.
( Below is that Dragoon kit. I think the breech area of the stock just needed to be squared- up.)
 

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I’m guessing this stock was pre-inletted fit this barrel and you are finishing up the job. Correct?

Sorry, yes, it is a kit stock from MBS, for the French Dragoon.

Is the barrel marked where the touch hole should be? Put the lock in; That will let you know if the barrel needs to go back or forward since the lock mortise looks like it’s already done.
About the barrel not laying flat in the channel. If the fore stock is slightly warped it may do this. There are ways to remedy that which have been posted in at least one other thread I’ve read here.

The line closest to the muzzle is the proper line to show the end of the breech plug. That line sits forward of the center of the pan. So I've got some room to move the barrel back.

If you happen to recall that thread with the fixing of a warped end, I'd love to read it.
 
Sorry, yes, it is a kit stock from MBS, for the French Dragoon.



The line closest to the muzzle is the proper line to show the end of the breech plug. That line sits forward of the center of the pan. So I've got some room to move the barrel back.

If you happen to recall that thread with the fixing of a warped end, I'd love to read it.
Did you install the lock in the mortise yet? That will let you know right where the barrel needs to go. (Otherwise you’ll be guessing)
 
Thanks, yes, it was the first thing I fitted up. It fits very well.

Here are a couple more pics I just took to show the relationship with the lock and pan.
 

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Thanks, yes, it was the first thing I fitted up. It fits very well.

Here are a couple more pics I just took to show the relationship with the lock and pan.
It looks like when the barrel will be flat up against the stock breech where it is now (after you square up the corners), then the touch hole will be in a great location!
 
It looks like when the barrel will be flat up against the stock breech where it is now (after you square up the corners), then the touch hole will be in a great location!

It's been a little confounding trying to move the barrel back to meet the stock breech. Just a little here, a little there, oh hell did I mess that up, ok, a little more...
 
I've been slowly inletting for the barrel, and before I screw something up, wanted to check with the experts.

First, it looks like I may need to move the barrel back slightly from where it sits. Though not pictured, the forward line, which is correct for the breech, is slightly forward of the center of the pan.

Another thing I noted. The breech end is just about sitting at the bottom. But, as it rests that way, the barrel is "pointing up" out of the muzzle end. If I try to push it back into the channel, it raises the breech. Should I focus more on the muzzle end being proper, and work from that direction?

Looking at the side, it does seem to me that the barrel is overall high in the stock, if I'm supposed to set it at the middle of the horizontal flat of the barrel.
If you push the breech and the muzzle goes up then push the muzzle down and the breech comes up you have a high spot somewhere in the middle which needs to be worked down. Take the barrel out, get a straight edge at least the length of the barrel, Hold it in the bottom of the barrel channel and that should show you where the high spot is.
 
The MOST important thing you must do…..l get that barrel back, till it’s flush at the breech. If you don’t, you’ll have all kinds of issues in the future. Your touch hole will be just fine, as long as it clears the breechplug.
 
I was able to get the barrel further back, and more flush with the wood. But, it's not "perfectly flush". Just who close does it need to be?

The way things are looking, I may need to scrape just a little more out of the lock mortise. I don't mind if the metal is sitting flush, but I am trying to get the tightest fit between the lock/pan, and the barrel.

More pics to come. Thanks for the advice and tips again.
 
That area behind the breech is the recoil area for your barrel. It MUST make full contact there. Under recoil, if this area is not in full contact, your barrel will move, and bend barrel pins, crack wood around lock bolts, tang bolts etc.
it is imperative that you get this area right.
 
Worked more on filing the tang, and refitting it to the barrel to check clearances. At some point soon, I'll need to put a bend in it.

Tightened up the breech end, and I'm slowly getting the barrel lowered. Going by the advice of @Flintandsteel, I still need to get the barrel sitting at the bottom of the channel, as well.
 

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You're not wrong. I'm waiting on another stone to come in, and then enough time to work through each one. Just like kit building, that's another new skill I'm learning. Thankfully I have a Veritas guide.
 
Worked more on filing the tang, and refitting it to the barrel to check clearances. At some point soon, I'll need to put a bend in it.

Tightened up the breech end, and I'm slowly getting the barrel lowered. Going by the advice of @Flintandsteel, I still need to get the barrel sitting at the bottom of the channel, as well.
You really should get the barrel seated in the bottom of the barrel channel FIRST. Until you can eliminate the barrel rocking up and down you have no idea exactly where the breech is going to be.
 
You really should get the barrel seated in the bottom of the barrel channel FIRST. Until you can eliminate the barrel rocking up and down you have no idea exactly where the breech is going to be.

Thanks, I did do that. The inletting black doesn't make it clear.
 

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