I am building my first BP pistol "Traditions Trapper" and am needing ideas or comments on replacing the stock screws with brass screws. Is it advisable? I am new to the BP hobby and want to create an accurate shooting piece that is also somewhat (It's a kit ) traditional. I am not good at readin the paper that the company sends. I know that is a weakness of my consitiution but, I have looked at too many instruction pamphlets that dont make sense. The logic of many instructions are made for people that want to plug and play. I would like to learn as I progress on this journey! As my skills improve with the learning curve I will have more quietions that will be up to the level of this board.
Thanks for your time/
Chuckwagon.
Know the feelin,
Lot's of help will be here shortly. I also can't make do much from written instructions, more of a show-me,
let me do it as you talk me thru it type myself.
Hang-in-there... I think I hear the cav. commin...
I'd stick with steel screws and lock bolts . They hold up better and are traditional material .
FrankG is right...brass screws were non existent...stick with the steel
you could take some birchwood casey blue and rust remover to them and then brown them.
I have never seen brass screws on any originals. If the screws you have are plated you can take off the plating. I usually fire blue screw heads on guns I build whether I blue or brown the rest of the gun. The pistol you are building is a late enough style that bluing or browning would be fine.
I don't know if the Trapper has adjustable sights but if it does I would replace them with fixed sights. They are a little more trouble to get dialed in but they don't get out of alignment every time the gun is bumped.
Definately stick with the steel screws. And look for pics of original guns like you are building. There is a wealth on the net. and at the library. Modern gun makers also have some good ideas on the types of hardware, and styling of what period you are trying to fit in. Good luck on the build!!!
Thank you all for the advice. I think the steel screws will definately work. I am planning on browning the parts and it wouldn't be any more work to throw them screws in with the rest of the parts. I am appreciative of all the information avialable through the members willing to share the knowledge. I am not that young any more but "young guys should hang out with "old" guys they know stuff". I kinda like that way o thinkin.
Chuckwagon
DO NOT throw the screws in a cup of browning solution!, use naval jelly and a little sane paper to clean the heads to bright steel, then place the screws in holes in a box and whipe a little browning on them, if you let them sit in the solution you'll start to eat the threads!
Thanks for that information. I will definately use your advise. I would have not thought about rusting out the threads. Thanks for a saving lesson. I appreciate the help. I found this site and am amazed at all the help you all are.
Chuckwagon
Noticed myself you were to make nails out of your screws, but somebody else already set you straight..good luck with your build...