Best Beginner Flintlocks

[lb94]

I used to use this forum quite a bit back in high school and learned quite a good deal of what i know now about muzzleloading. I used to have a lyman trade rifle flintlock that i bought off of the classifieds about 11 years ago and always struggled to learn the thing. Somedays would be decent accuracy and other days i wanted to throw the thing in the pond. The lock on that gun had a misshaped hammer i believe because the angle of the flint was always at an odd angle and never sparked well like it should.

Anyhow have had over a dozen percussion guns over the years and still shoot them quite a bit (never hardly shoot my modern guns anymore except for duck hunting). I know the good handbuilt flintlocks with the aftermarket locks are always going to be ideal however i am not wanting to take that plunge yet before knowing i can get the flintlock learned.

So my question is, of the factory built flintlocks what guns are going to be the most user friendly for a percussion guy wanting to learn flintlock? Most likely looking for a used gun as this gun would just be a stepping stone and if i got good with it i would do my next gun built as a flintlock instead of percussion like i've done several before.

On the online auctions and such i've run across traditions, cva's, TC, lyman, investarms and jukar. Which of these do you think had the best engineered locks?

Thank you in advance, happy to be posting again on here as it got me hooked on the blackpowder years ago.

 

[BruceHH]

I don't own or shoot any production guns but I do repair some of them and shoot with others who have them. The best current offering in my opinion is the Pedersoli's.

 

[Flintandsteel]

Production flinters can be VERY discouraging.
The lock is the most important part of a flinter. It seems that the makers of production guns have forgotten that.

 

[Grenadier1758]

...
So my question is, of the factory built flintlocks what guns are going to be the most user friendly for a percussion guy wanting to learn flintlock? Most likely looking for a used gun as this gun would just be a stepping stone and if i got good with it i would do my next gun built as a flintlock instead of percussion like i've done several before.

On the online auctions and such i've run across traditions, cva's, TC, lyman, investarms and jukar. Which of these do you think had the best engineered locks?

Thank you in advance, happy to be posting again on here as it got me hooked on the blackpowder years ago.

The list of the factory flintlocks generally have disappointing flint locks. The T/C second generation lock, early Lyman and some Investarms show up with locks that may spark. As you are having trouble with your Lyman, that can be what you find with the others. The springs on the CVA, Jukar and Traditions are often weak and the flintlocks are poor.

You can sometimes get a pretty good semi custom gun from someone like Tip Curtis. There are often good used guns put up for sale on the classified list here on the forum. For a flint lock firearm to be enjoyable, its all about the lock. Look for guns with Jim Chambers Locks. Locks from Larry Zorn (Mold- Gun) seem to be good. Siler locks on TVM and Clay Smith guns are good. Sometimes even good locks need to be tuned to get top performance.

Put something like the April Trade Faire at Fort de Chartres on your calendar. It is a juried event, but you can attend as a guest in modern clothing. Its the first full weekend in April. The 4th and 5th.

 

[lb94]

Production flinters can be VERY discouraging.
The lock is the most important part of a flinter. It seems that the makers of production guns have forgotten that.

Yea that's what I hear it seems like. Have never owned a gun worth more than $500...

I think I'm gonna try to find something that needs some TLC on the stock and barrel finish and redo it myself and buy an aftermarket lock for it like others have recommended. Then if all goes well maybe resell the gun and then do a kit like I've always wanted.

I did a Traditions Kentucky kit this fall as I needed a new deer gun (the traditions kentucky in percussion is a tack driver for me) and plan on doing a TVM poorboy kit next fall or winter in flintlock if all goes well

 

[Jim Evans]

You may want to look at the Kibler Longrifles kits.

 

[michael mcghee]

if you can find old lyman... the new ones are junk

 

[Loyalist Dave]

if you can find old lyman... the new ones are junk

That's a bit harsh (imho). Though I do understand your frustration with what one gets today compared to what one got, say 30 years ago....

Recently Lyman has seen a reduction in the production quality of its rifles. (iirc) The Lyman rifles have always been produced overseas, for the Lyman company under contract. When folks have problems they exchange them, and no worries, and they do shoot well. The Pedersoli Frontier which is sold by Cabela's as the Blue Ridge Hunter also has quirks.

IF you want a good, out of the box, functional longrifle, Get the Pedersoli.
IF you want a good, out of the box, functional plains style half-stocked rifle, Get a Lyman.
IF you're on a budget, consider one of the lesser cost Lyman rifle variations, or even a Lyman kit.

What about used rifles? So understand less cost, but also no warranty and perhaps a dearth of parts if you go with Thompson Center. Plus they will probably all be half-stocked rifle types.

IF you have the time, the coin, and the desire for a longrifle with proper hardware, etc...go with a Kibler Kit.

IF you have the coin, and the desire for a longrifle with proper hardware, etc,... ready to go out of the box...there are several places making very good rifles these days.

LD

 

[Tom Compton]

If you like the half stock mountain style, find a TC or Lyman GPR then call L&R to get one of their RPL locks. It’ll require a bit of inlet work but not real difficult. I’ve done this on 3 guns and put together a trade gun w an L&R. Converting a patent style breech to flint is way too much work IMO.

If you like and find a different style you like and it has a flat breech plug, converting to flint is pretty easy with the same brand of lock. I bought a .36 percussion long rifle that had a Russ Hamm lock. Decided the drum needed replacing so I called L&R and discussed options. They recommended one of theirs with noT tapped for a lock plate screw. Lock was a little low in back so moved it up to desired position and filled the gap w colored accura glass. Great shooter. Put the Russ Hamm on the net and sold it in a couple of days.

 

[michael mcghee]

the one i got is junk see my post lyman deer stalker .. i can inlet that stock better and never done it before..

 

[Col. Batguano]

If you can spark the lock (before buying), that will tell you about 90% of what you need to know about the functionality of the gun. Obviously, barrel condition is critical as well.

 

[good ole boy]

the one i got is junk see my post lyman deer stalker .. i can inlet that stock better and never done it before..

What,s the latest on your Lyman?

 

[hanshi]

Factory built rifles, regardless of brand, are hit or miss in flintlock. You might get a good one or you might not. The factories overseas have never, it seems, understood how a flint lock should be built. My advice is to look for a used, quality American rifle smith built gun. You may need to save a bit more $$ but you'll spend that much, maybe more, on a Pedersoli that's not as good. I had a Pedersoli flintlock that wouldn't spark worth a darn and had to install a percussion lock.

 

[michael mcghee]

What,s the latest on your Lyman?

called monday going to look at it tue and see what they can do with it... took two weeks for them to log it in the computer

 

[TerryK]

Considering entry level mass production rifle. I think a TC or Lyman with a better lock. A LRP lock from Davis is usually a big step up. I dropped a Davis lock in a Renegade many years ago, and it made a huge difference in speed and reliability. Lucky mine fit very well with a little wood removal from the mortise. Some locks don't align, so that upgrade could be a headache.
I have an older only test fired Lyman deerstalker, and an unfired TC Renegade both in 54. I never got time to shoot those.