back action lock

[flintlockmdj]

I will soon be building a percussion smoothbore with a back action lock. I have never used a back action lock before and have some questions.

I saw an original Ohio styled rifle with a b.a. lock that had a molding in front of the lock like a front action lock would have but no molding at the back.
Today on the TOTL sight they have two guns with b.a. locks with no molding at all front or back.

My question is which is more correct and which is better so far as strength goes.

 

[CARBABY]

ADDRESSING “STRENGTH” (stock strength)”“ Usually a back action lock is positioned closer to the wrist of the stock.
Thus the removal of the wood for the lock weak’ns the strength of the stock in the wrist. It’s the old More wood more strength, less wood less strength. Given the wrist dimensions of a intended stock and the Wrist dimensions are equal between a front action and back action lock application. The gun with a back action
Will be weaker in the stock wrist. Now how much that comes into play depends on how thin you intend the Wrist to be and if you are going to use the stock to smack grizzly bears in the face after you shoot. If smacking grizzlies ~perhaps a front action lock would give and added comfort of command.

 

[Supercracker]

I've seen a couple of big bore double rifles with twin back action locks. That'd be a lot of wood gone in the wrist area. Especially for a big bore big recoil rifle.

maybe that's the reason for the extended tang? A little reinforcing?

 

[Supercracker]

hmmm. See that my pic is gone now.

Sorry if I broke a rule putting it up. Didn't mean to.

 

[44-henry]

Most of the original rifles and shotguns I've seen with back action locks had no moldings in front of the lock, when you do see it occur, it is generally on very high quality arms.