A Random Question

[Jedidiah]

I'm having a great day.

Scratch building my new Kentuckyish pistol.

And reading questions that are not questions at all.

Uh Huh, Ok, have a great day

 

[toot]

Shooting flintlocks is not for the feint of heart.

you have to be LION HART!!

 

[ColonialRifleSmith]

I was wondering if when firing a Flintlock rifle if the actual flint can break a piece off and hit a person in the eye's ? Not sure if the chip has enough force to cause damage.

Anything's possible.

 

[BEP]

Flints get dull and have to either be reknapped or replaced because every time the lock is used small or not so small pieces of flint break off. Those pieces all go somewhere. I wear eye protection.

 

[smo]

I’ve been hit by debris from caps before, but don’t recall being hit with a chip off a flint…

Could it happen, yes.

 

[oldwood]

Taking a chance on standing near where the blasted particles from a touch hole fly out , when a flint rifle is detonated , is just as foolish as having your powder container there open. Nasty stuff , and basic shooting safety technique.. Sometimes ya gotta 'splain stuff to those who are errant for their own safety.

 

[mushka]

I have learned in my 78 years of life's experiences that life is not safe. Watch out for your self.

 

[azmntman]

This isn't a thread about eye protection.

We're taking fragile pieces of rock that chip easily and we're slamming them into solid chunks of hardened steel at dozens of miles per hour.

The answer to the original question is YES. Without question pieces of flint can chip off.

Hmmm, wonder why he asked??

 

[Jedidiah]

Anything is possible, but that does not mean it is probable! I prefer to err on the side of caution, So I use eye protection. But when the "improbable" does happen, and that person who laughed at wearing protection is hurt, I have zero sympathy for them and will remind them about who made fun of others who were more cautious and made the smart choice to mitigate the "possibility" of the "improbable" event happening.

 

[Jedidiah]

Hmmm, wonder why he asked??

It is self evident why, which I am sure you already know. He was concerned about the possibility of damaging his eye sight. IMHO

 

[Whizzy]

I always use safety glasses and hearing protection when I shoot. At 68, I wished I had used hearing protection in my younger days. My tinnitus drives to distraction on some days.

 

[jonathan hawkin]

I have had both bits of flint and percussion cap hit my glasses, just normal ones, not safety ones, but wouldn't shoot without them, and need them to see where I am aiming for anyway!

 

[Jedidiah]

I always use safety glasses and hearing protection when I shoot. At 68, I wished I had used hearing protection in my younger days. My tinnitus drives to distraction on some days.

LOL, if I knew then what I know now??? Oh well, Yes, many of us wish we had paid more attention to our hearing back in the day!!

 

[Marshhawk]

Ditto on the hearing. As for eye protection, I'm kind of baffled why the resistance. Don't want to wear it, then don't. Your choice. Based on my own experiences, you bet I wear eye protection.

 

[beardedhorse]

I concur with what Smoothshooter said. If the lock and touch hole are on the right side of your flintlock it is more than courtesy but range safety protocol to notify the shooter to your right that you are about to touch your flinter off. Saying "flintlock", "rock lock" or "flinter" loud enough for he or she to hear is sufficient. The opposite if done to the shooter to your left if you shoot a left hand flintlock rifle, pistol or smoothbore.

 

[tenngun]

Whoops wrong entry

 

[Jedidiah]

I concur with what Smoothshooter said. If the lock and touch hole are on the right side of your flintlock it is more than courtesy but range safety protocol to notify the shooter to your right that you are about to touch your flinter off. Saying "flintlock", "rock lock" or "flinter" loud enough for he or she to hear is sufficient. The opposite if done to the shooter to your left if you shoot a left hand flintlock rifle, pistol or smoothbore.

I was not aware of that protocol. Thanks

 

[Pete G]

I have been cut on the cheek before. Yes, it can happen!

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Another reason to encase yourself in bubble wrap as soon as your feet hit the floor.

All risk must be mitigated immediately.

What about the hydrocarbon residue(s) one may get from the bubble wrap? It's a dangerous world indeed.

 

[Jedidiah]

What about the hydrocarbon residue(s) one may get from the bubble wrap? It's a dangerous world indeed.

Well, a quick trip to "Whiskey Row," in Cave Creek, should take care of any of those issues!!