doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Gun building sequence

I’m making progress on the rifle I’m building, however, I have a sequencing question. As I understand, the typical sequence saves the metal engraving and metal finishing until near the end. I’m still working to shape my pattern stock, which will be sent out to a duplicator to have it reproduced in a nice piece of walnut. As I’m working on the pattern stock, I have a window of time where I could send the metal (floorplate, trigger guard, grip cap, buttplate) out for engraving. If I did that the parts would already be engraved before final fitting into the final stock. Would that be a problem? I don’t imagine any rough treatment of the parts during final fitting, so I would not expect the engraving to be damaged. I would reserve the final metal finishing (blueing, color case, etc.) would come at the very end. So again, should I expect any problems if I have the metal engraved now? I welcome any input.

Larry

How would that be any different than restocking a rifle? You will take care to not touch the metal, then so why worry now? Project guns are often completed in stages as time and money permit. You are just changing the order a bit.

I always do engraving last, the order of operations exists for a reason. You certainly can stock engraved metal but accidents do happen.

Like SKB says, accidents do happen...especially when fitting engraved metal into a stock blank. Best to leave engraving until all stock fitting and shaping is done.

Murphy is waiting!!

IMPATIENTLY...

It will take twice as long to final shape and sand the stock if you are, rightfully, worried about screwing up the engraving. It will take even longer when you do.
Do it out of order and you will far extend total completion time you think you are saving by engraving early.
Voice of experience...
Work on something else.