Author Topic: .54 Lyman Plains Pistol Kit (Read 5491 times)

pab1 · « **on:** December 07, 2010, 07:04:22 AM »

This is the first kit I have done. I browned the barrel and all metal parts. I also blackened the brass and gave the stock an aged look. Should be a good grouse/rabbit gun with light loads.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2010, 11:33:14 AM »

Nice! I have GOT to make me one of those! What load do you use? I'm thinking deer here...

pab1 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2010, 12:12:47 PM »

AtlLaw, I'm shooting a .530 patched round ball with pillow ticking over 40 grains of Goex 3F black powder. The max charge listed for this gun is 50 grains of 3F. These are the first shots fired at 20 yards from its initial trip to the range. It was cold with gusty winds so I think the gun is capable of grouping better. I'm not going to mess with the sights until I send 50+ rounds down the barrel.

Someone had left a can of applesauce on the ground so I decided to see if I would get any expansion from the round ball. Knowing about where to hold from my shots on the target, I adjusted my aim and shot the can at 20 yards. I was impressed with the exit hole through the frozen applesauce. If I'm going to use this gun for small game I'll have to reduce the powder charge quite a bit. At close range I think it would be fine for deer.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2010, 02:19:14 PM »

Impressive!

Maybe a little longer barrel for 50 or 60 gr... $:-\$ Heck, If I don't have any quams about trying my Dragoon with 40 gr. at 20 yards or so, why not!

beerbelly · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2010, 03:00:39 AM »

I have one with both the .54 and the .50 barrel. This is one of the most accurate pistols I own including modern ones.

bubba.50 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2010, 03:33:56 AM »

what'd you use to darken the brass? looks pretty good and might like to try it. thanks friend, bubba.

pab1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2010, 06:44:12 PM »

Quote from: bubba.50 on December 09, 2010, 03:33:56 AM

what'd you use to darken the brass? looks pretty good and might like to try it. thanks friend, bubba.

I used Birchwood Casey Brass Black. Its easy to use, just apply it, let it sit then wipe it off. I did several applications for a very dark finish. I used Laurell Mountain Forge browning solution on the barrel which was also very easy to use.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2010, 02:52:15 AM »

Quote from: beerbelly on December 09, 2010, 03:00:39 AM

I have one with both the .54 and the .50 barrel. This is one of the most accurate pistols I own including modern ones.

Well mine is not exactly a Lyman kit but rather a .45 cal T\C Patriot. It has the large partridge style sights with a hood on the front one and I can confirm the accuracy to include modern ones.

It is not for deer though as I need at least a .50...Perhaps I will jump on this lyman bandwagon.

pab1 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2010, 05:45:44 AM »

Glanceblamm, I think you would be happy with a Lyman pistol or rifle. My GPR rifles are very accurate with patched round balls and they are some of the best looking production muzzleloaders around.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2010, 02:58:33 PM »

I do like it a lot.

Huntsman1 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2010, 03:18:59 AM »

Nice work, makes me wanna buy one again since I sold my last one in .50, it was'nt kit mind you and because it was .50 not .54 like all my sidelocks I sold it because it did'nt fit in with the rest lol.
A kit in .54 is in order me thinks.

groundhog107 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2010, 12:11:29 PM »

Nice lookin' GPP. Here is the .50 I finished this weekend but I have not fired it as of yet. I also made the patch knife and the Possibles bag just for fun. I hope mine shoots as well as yours seems to be. Dang this is addictive.

pab1 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2010, 08:15:26 PM »

Nice work Groundhog!

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2011, 04:08:57 AM »

Very nice groundhog, I need to finish up on the deer season (this weekend will be the last)...Then continue to harrass those Coyotes...and possibly have time to complete a kit (yet unpurchased) with hopes of it being done in March?

pab1 & groundhog 107, taking your time, and taking care, how much time did you spend assembling and finishing this kit?

groundhog107 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2011, 01:40:23 PM »

Ok, I am gonna take a stab at this. I am a notorious "piddler" so I spend a lot of time doing what others could accomplish in half the time. So with that being said, I would say that a person could easily complete this kit in one week althought it took me two. The most time consuming part is the barrel finish (browning in my case) and believe it or not, the sanding/polishing of the sand cast trigger guard. Building a browning box sure speeded things up for me, I can help you with that if you need it. The stock is mostly finished and only requires some final shaping and smoothing the inleting is very good. When I say a week, I dont mean a 40 hour week, I mean you spare hours after work. There is a lot of time waiting for something to dry if you know what I mean. I hope this helps, and if I can be of any help, please dont be afraid to ask.
GHOG

pab1 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2011, 07:28:59 PM »

Groundhog pretty much summed it up. Waiting between applications of the browning solution and coats of finish to dry is the most time consuming part. Building mine during the summer meant it was put on the back burner for quite a while so I could take the fly rods out. The Lyman kit could pretty much be assembled and shot right out of the box but it wouldn't be pretty. You could rush through it or take as much time as you like. I recommend taking your time and checking the wood to metal fit often when sanding/shaping the stock. When draw filing the barrel be sure to chalk your file and clean it often with a wire brush.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:18:25 AM »

Thanks Guy's

I was tempted to just give the retailer an additional three Andrews but seeing how both of yours came out, I recon that it adds satisfaction with the savings being a bonus.

groundhog107 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2011, 01:28:00 PM »

While its just my opinion, I think you would take imeasurable pride in something you finished with your own two hands vs a factory assembled gun. There is a certain comfort in knowing all the flaws and you can do it anyway you desire. That is the addiction that we all fight here or so it seems to me.

Regards,
Ghog

mahd776 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2011, 06:38:13 AM »

Very very nice pistol. I have recently retired and this looks like something that I would love to do. I may contact you for tips on the browning process as I love that finish.

ratdog · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2011, 11:31:21 AM »

i have been looking at the 54 for years. yours looks real good how is the fit on barrel and lock? i have two rifles in 54 they really thump a deer hard complete pass through with buffalo ballets i like building kits. never tried alyman got to be fun have great week end.

Bear Rider · « **Reply #20 on:** May 19, 2011, 06:06:32 PM »

Quote from: ratdog on March 18, 2011, 11:31:21 AM

i have been looking at the 54 for years. yours looks real good how is the fit on barrel and lock? i have two rifles in 54 they really thump a deer hard complete pass through with buffalo ballets i like building kits. never tried alyman got to be fun have great week end.

I built a .54 from a kit about 15 years back. As I recall, ALL the inletting was spot on. The only difficulty that I have with this gun is that the "reach", the distance from trigger to back of grip, is a might too long for my stubby fingers. I can shoot it, and shoot it well, but wouldn't be my first choice for competition due to that ergonomic mismatch. Someday I may try reshaping the stock or even having it restocked. At that point, it would be my favorite everyday percussion pistol.

I keep a .50 Hawkin that looks as though it came right off the page of Hanson's Sketchbook for fancy wear.

ratdog · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2011, 12:07:46 AM »

midsouth has both cals in 54 and 50 desent price will get the 54 eventually haven't owned a muzzel loader pistol in 40 years.great fun i have the lee bullet i would like to try in it.alot of differace in price compared to the old cva's. enjoy.

longcaribiner · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23, 2011, 08:36:53 AM »

It is a shame they don't make a flinter pistol.

Higene · « **Reply #23 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:35:51 PM »

I have a 54 Plains Pistol and I love it. As the above poster mentions it does have a long trigger pull. I would be interested in putting a saw handle grip on it. Does anyone know who could fab one up or where they have pistols with saw handle grips? I looked at Fire and Ice but they are out of my price range.

keith44 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2011, 10:50:54 AM »

Quote from: longcaribiner on May 23, 2011, 08:36:53 AM

It is a shame they don't make a flinter pistol.

Umm, they are available...

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_162_195&products_id=3528

it is italian, but it is a .54 cal flint pistol kit.

Huntsman1 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 08, 2011, 11:02:13 AM »

I finally ordered my kit in .54, just in time for Christmas project. I'll brown the barrel as well to match my GPR in the same cal.
I can't wait!!
Will post pics of progress

tacklebury · « **Reply #26 on:** December 08, 2011, 01:06:25 PM »

Nice job on the Kit. Looks excellent and shoots good to boot.

I have an ancient .45 cal Colonial pistol my Grandpa did and antiqued it back in the 70's. It's mine now, since he's 91 and doesn't shoot anymore, but I still love it.

I used to load about 60 gr. BP then put a wad in the barrel and fill the barrel with that little round rock salt for deicing stuff. Worked great on cats getting in the garbage! lol

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **Reply #27 on:** December 09, 2011, 05:44:56 AM »

I have a Lyman PP in .54. Just for the curious - I've shot it over the chronograph using 50 grains of Swiss FFFg and my eyes just about popped outa my head.

1100 fps!!!!

That settled any questions in my head about whether it would be adequate deer medicine. I have not shot a deer with it yet though. Wait, I take that back. I did shoot one doe years ago. Back when I was pretty green I shot a doe with my GPR and walked up to where I last saw her. From there I saw she was standing about 15 yards away. I drew, capped, and fired. She bounded away again, but was piled up dead when I got to her. Both shots were lethal shots, it was just that the shot from the rifle was through the liver and she was taking a while to bleed out.

Since then, I don't move from my spot without first reloading my rifle. But I don't remember many other situations where I encountered a deer obviously wounded yet still on its feet.

johnnyb · « **Reply #28 on:** December 20, 2011, 10:29:45 AM »

I have got to get me 1 or 2 of those, great job on the fit and finish.
Is that a GFA knife next to your pistol?

pab1 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 03, 2012, 02:22:28 PM »

Quote from: johnnyb on December 20, 2011, 10:29:45 AM

I have got to get me 1 or 2 of those, great job on the fit and finish.
Is that a GFA knife next to your pistol?

Thanks! This is not one of Freds knives. I picked it up at a muzzleloading shop in Colorado. Track of the Wolf carries them also. I believe the blades are made from some type of saw blade steel and etched for a damascus look. They are lighter than they look and very sharp.