Appalachian Barn Gun Kit (Percussion) — Step 2: Fitting Barrel and Tang to Stock

Video for this step: https://kiblerslongrifles.com/v/barn-gun-2. Woodsrunner video. The process is the same.

The barrel is designed to be 100% inlet and should require no additional work to fit it to the stock. The stock can change dimensions slightly with changes in environment (humidity), so there is some possibility that further fitting could be required. If so, a fine file held on edge can be used to slightly open up the barrel channel. Alternatively, abrasive paper can be attached to a flexible piece of metal.

It is a good idea to check the barrel-to-wood contact at the breech location with transfer color. Very little, if any, wood will need to be removed. It is very important that the breech position not change by any appreciable amount. Shaving a few thousandths to adjust the breech fit will not cause problems, but excessive wood removal will.

The tang may require a small amount of fitting. If the tang does not fit fully into the inlet, follow the steps in “Notes on Fitting Parts to Stock” above.

The barrel is held to the stock by three underlugs, each secured with a pin through the stock. The pin holes are pre-drilled in the stock. With the barrel installed, continue each hole through its underlug using the drill guide kit, following the steps in the Drill Guide Kit section. Take care to keep the drill in line with the pre-drilled stock holes. This helps prevent excess wood being removed during drilling.

It is a good idea to slightly elongate the pin holes in the underlugs to allow for wood dimensional change with humidity. This is most easily done with a jeweler’s saw or a small round file.

Before installing each pin, file or grind a generous taper on its leading end to aid alignment. Tap a section of the included pin stock through the stock and underlug at each location, checking the fit as you go.