Converting a Percussion lock to a Flintlock

red grizzly · Feb 11, 2025

This is my Hawken CVA I have had it since I was a kid. I suspect it is an 1987 model looking at serial number. I have looked several times on the internet trying to find a flintlock to fit. I know that there may not be anything out there that will “bolt” right up. But was curious to pick the brains of muzzleloading masters. LoL thanks

ChuckJonesWagon · Feb 11, 2025

IMHO, If you want to do a flintlock conversion, the first thing would be to find the lock that fits…or is close to the existing lock mortise. The mortise needing made a bit bigger. Adding wood to match is really difficult.

Then, obtain a new barrel in the correct flat width and in a caliber you want. Then fit the new barrel. Then mark, & drill for the new vent liner placement.

Brown, blue, or patina to your liking.

Trev · Feb 11, 2025

So, since once had this same question and got a similar answer, which is pretty close to "just buy a flintlock"; if all that is salvaged is the stock. Is there an explanation of why the barrel needs replacement for this conversion?
I ask because apparently many guns were historically converted the other way.

sb 54 cal. · Feb 11, 2025

I converted a percussion to flint lock on a older cva mountain rifle. Used a flintlock from L and R locks look at rpl line and removed drum and replace with screw in touch hole liner. Mind you if your cva is old enough to not have a patent breech. The lock takes a little fitting but everything worked extremely well. If your gun has a patent breech you won't be able to switch very easily. good luck.

ChuckJonesWagon · Feb 11, 2025

Easier to convert a flintlock to a percussion (in general) as flintlock barrels were flat on all sides. Percussion has or needs a flat to install the nipple in the right place. (Think plug flintlock hole and redrill new for percussion.)

Depending upon the factory percussion setup, it may not be as easy to change to flint.

You do salvage more than just the stock on a conversion. You can use the same trigger, trigger guard, other furniture, sights, ramrod and RR pipes, nose cap etc.

red grizzly · Feb 11, 2025

sb 54 cal. said:
I converted a percussion to flint lock on a older cva mountain rifle. Used a flintlock from L and R locks look at rpl line and removed drum and replace with screw in touch hole liner. Mind you if your cva is old enough to not have a patent breech. The lock takes a little fitting but everything worked extremely well. If your gun has a patent breech you won't be able to switch very easily. good luck.

Sorry “patent breech”?
Everything you mentioned has been my plan.
Do you still have the rifle?
Would like to see it.

Loyalist Dave · Feb 11, 2025

red grizzly said:
Sorry “patent breech”?
Everything you mentioned has been my plan.
Do you still have the rifle?
Would like to see it.

CVA's have a unique interlocking system not found in other brands of factory muzzleloaders. The drum goes through the outside of the barrel, and then goes through a portion of the breech plug to reach the inner chamber. As such they can be a bear to deal with. Many's the DIY fellow who tried to remove the breech plug without knowing the interlocking characteristic, only to completely ruin the barrel.

In theory one may remove the drum and nipple, and replace them with a vent liner. At that point a proper CVA flintlock lock would then line up when placed in the lock mortise, if the lock is the correct size.

CVA had a lot of specs that were the same on both the flintlock versions and caplock version of certain models of muzzleloaders as that reduced unit cost of each model.

LD

red grizzly · Feb 11, 2025

Yeah knew about the drum and the breech plug. Just did not know what it was called. Thanks for the reply.

Jasonb1911 · Feb 11, 2025

I converted my percussion CVA Hawken to flintlock a couple of years ago. It was surprisingly easy. I did it with nothing but hand tools and it works like a charm. I bought an L&R RPL lock and fabricated a vent out of a 10mm stainless steel bolt.

sb 54 cal. · Feb 11, 2025

red grizzly said:
Sorry “patent breech”?
Everything you mentioned has been my plan.
Do you still have the rifle?
Would like to see it.

I converted back to percussion. Used the l and r lock on a traditions Kentucky. Here is a pic of the rifle

red grizzly · Feb 11, 2025

Jasonb1911 said:
I converted my percussion CVA Hawken to flintlock a couple of years ago. It was surprisingly easy. I did it with nothing but hand tools and it works like a charm. I bought an L&R RPL lock and fabricated a vent out of a 10mm stainless steel bolt.

That looks just like mine. Thank you so much. Now to find the L&R RPL. Thanks

Jasonb1911 · Feb 11, 2025

red grizzly said:
That looks just like mine. Thank you so much. Now to find the L&R RPL. Thanks

Track of the Wolf and Muzzleloader Builders Supply has them. I can't remember which place I bought from.

red grizzly · Feb 11, 2025

Looks like this maybe it.

tallPercshooter · Feb 12, 2025

From the title of this, thought someone was literally making a flintlock from a percussion lock. That would be near impossible. Of course, going the other way, a flintlock lock converted to percussion, is much easier and more feasible and was often done in the old days.

Fitzhugh Williams · Feb 12, 2025

About 20 years ago I sent a CVA percussion pistol to their location in Atlanta and they returned it to me with a flintlock installed in it.

red grizzly · Feb 12, 2025

tallPercshooter said:
From the title of this, thought someone was literally making a flintlock from a percussion lock. That would be near impossible. Of course, going the other way, a flintlock lock converted to percussion, is much easier and more feasible and was often done in the old days.

Sorry about that

Rebel bull · Feb 12, 2025

sb 54 cal. said:
I converted a percussion to flint lock on a older cva mountain rifle. Used a flintlock from L and R locks look at rpl line and removed drum and replace with screw in touch hole liner. Mind you if your cva is old enough to not have a patent breech. The lock takes a little fitting but everything worked extremely well. If your gun has a patent breech you won't be able to switch very easily. good luck.

I have done several of this very conversion. It is a very easy conversion, very little inletting needed and the conversion to a touch hole is relatively easy if you want to discuss how to do it just pm me and i'll send you a phone number

bpd303 · Feb 14, 2025

I also have converted one to flintlock. It was relatively easy. If I remember I got the lock from Deer Creek Products. The percussion drum had sheared off flush with the barrel, which could be done while installed using a Dremel with a cutoff wheel. Drill and tap the cutoff drum to install a vent liner. and done.

Converting a Percussion lock to a Flintlock

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

36 Cl.

Attachments

62 Cal.

40 Cal

40 Cal.

62 Cal.

36 Cl.

Cannon

36 Cl.

40 Cal

Attachments

40 Cal.

Attachments

36 Cl.

40 Cal

36 Cl.

Attachments

40 Cal

40 Cal

36 Cl.

45 Cal.

Nearly Normal

Similar threads