Ditto the advice above to buy used.
My honest opinion is to be very patient and keep your eyes and ears open. Do your homework first. Tell him to read up on all the contemporary builders from the 1950’s forward. I had seen a Gretz built hawkin 50 cal ( a totally excellent Pennsylvania Builder) in mint possibly unfired condition for an asking price of $1500. If I was in the market I most definitely would have made an offer/ deal. He should be wee bit flexible with his budget , don’t pass on a good rifle . And lastly my own personal preference, please don’t buy these imported….. well….rifles. If you become hooked as most do and shoot fairly often, these imports will cost you smith money constantly and reliability is at best questionable.A range acquaintance wants to transition from percussion sidelocks to flintlocks, and is looking to me to recommend what he should buy because he sees me shooting my Kibler with few, and usually no, misfires. He has a hard budget of a grand, so that pretty much rules out any custom rifles. So far, I've only been able to tell him to stay away from the cheaper mass produced imports, as their locks will end up driving him crazy when trying to get them to spark and fire reliably.
Any ideas on what's the most reliable non-custom flinter?
VA Hawkin in this group has a beautiful Getz for sale right now posted yesterday! Maybe you 2 should consider making sn offer? Excellently built gunMy honest opinion is to be very patient and keep your eyes and ears open. Do your homework first. Tell him to read up on all the contemporary builders from the 1950’s forward. I had seen a Gretz built hawkin 50 cal ( a totally excellent Pennsylvania Builder) in mint possibly unfired condition for an asking price of $1500. If I was in the market I most definitely would have made an offer/ deal. He should be wee bit flexible with his budget , don’t pass on a good rifle . And lastly my own personal preference, please don’t buy these imported….. well….rifles. If you become hooked as most do and shoot fairly often, these imports will cost you smith money constantly and reliability is at best questionable.
Those Ashmore locks aren't all that great.Buy used. Dixie gun works made a real nice rifle years ago that routinely sell on here for 600.View attachment 258022
I have absolutely no problem finding parts.The biggest problem today is finding all the parts to assemble a complete gun. When the government pays workers to stay home, suppliers run out of goods. We (GRRW Collectors Association) have been chashing parts for the last year to have material available to assemble our ordered firearms, flintlocks and percussion.
I have one of these in 50 cal good gunsBuy used. Dixie gun works made a real nice rifle years ago that routinely sell on here for 600.View attachment 258022
He may be way down the road in life, or very young, or in between. $1000 may simply be his budget. We all have different income levels and lifestyles. My pension is ok because I don't live "high on the hog.". My brother could spend my monthly pension check in one day with his lifestyle and he'd be disappointed that he didn't get to do anything.DELETED COMMENT
Set the money aside and save up a few months; and increase budget.A range acquaintance wants to transition from percussion sidelocks to flintlocks, and is looking to me to recommend what he should buy because he sees me shooting my Kibler with few, and usually no, misfires. He has a hard budget of a grand, so that pretty much rules out any custom rifles. So far, I've only been able to tell him to stay away from the cheaper mass produced imports, as their locks will end up driving him crazy when trying to get them to spark and fire reliably.
Any ideas on what's the most reliable non-custom flinter?
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