My GPR Kit showed up ordered it from Wal-Mart $247.63 plus tax. The Sporting Goods manager called and had it the next day. The Thimble and Nose Cap are pinned on the manual said to remove them to finish but nothing about removing the pins. I am not sure about punching out the pins (don't want to make them loose or splinter the wood) any suggestions? I picked up a bottle of Tru-Oil but they did not have anything for browning. I plan on browning all of the steel parts except for the lock, which has a casehardened finish. The manual also said the barrel lugs were soldered on. It looks to me like they were spot welded on and not to get it to hot or the solder could come loose. It sure looks like it will make a nice rifle. My dad thinks I am goofy for getting away from my inline but I have wanted one of these for the past 25yrs and now I finally got one. Your suggestions on how to proceed will be appreciated.

If you make them loose, just replace them with the next size, Dixie gun works will have the browning that you need. It is a hot brown you'll need a source of heat such as a propane torch. Congrats, you now have one of the finest out of the box sidelocks made. Don't worry about getting it hot enough to loosen stuff, you don't need to get it that hot. Get a good pair of welding gloves and some gauze, this helps when using the hot method, dixie I believe has a cold brown. You can always let it brown the natural way. Shoot it on hot muggy days and clean as normal and take care of the inside of the bbl but don't worry about the outside til it's all natural browned. Another way to enhance this process, is with rubber gloves and muriatic acid, but please do be careful if you go this route. You can also build a sweat box, for browning your parts.

Thanks "Swany" Never thought of using the next size pins. I am hoping to use this for Regular firearms season here in Kansas it starts on December 3rd. I sure appreciate the help from everybody.

CVA and Birchwood-Casey have or had Plum-Brown and Stock Refinishing Kits. www.northernrifleman.com might have them as he specializes in B/P products. Sides Michael is an alright guy! derf

Everything you might need is right here:
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/
their catalog - the most expensive catalog you could ever buy, is worth every penny.

Also, I would not hot brown. Walkon Bay or Laural Mt. Forge browning should be done at any reasonable room temperature.

You have a lot of work to do before you get her up and shooting, a load worked up, and sighted in before 3 Dec. Were I you. I would plan on hunting it in the white this year. And probably with just or two coats of oil finish - just enough to seal her up so you can take it in the field. Then do a real nice job this winter at your leasure. A well finished rifle takes time - lots of it.

Good luck!

Brent