Does one need to apply oil or ballistol INSIDE the lock?

[wiscoaster]

The correct choice here is "Both."
Polish AND Lubricate !!

Ditto.

 

[bamajim]

You do need to clean your lock after every use. As others have mentioned if you have a good tight fit of the lock bolster to the barrel, the internals may just need a light cleaning. If you shoot pretty regularly WD40 is a good cleaner and a lube. I personally use Lithium grease on the tumbler, sear, sear spring and main spring. I don't really care what you use as a lube on the internals, as long as you use something. Anything is better than nothing. Many new flintlock users shoot there flintlocks dry, doing so, in time your flintlock will not function properly. Balistol is a good cleaner, it does stink, but it is not a lube in my opinion that I want to use for friction function of lock internals.

 

[Rifleman1776]

A small amount of good gun oil is a good thing to do for your lock. IMHO, Ballistol is the Devil's brew.

 

[Clark Badgett]

A small amount of good gun oil is a good thing to do for your lock. IMHO, Ballistol is the Devil's brew.

 

[Sandy Jarrell]

Not always true.

When isn't it true?

 

[Clark Badgett]

When isn't it true?

I can think of at least 1 example of when greasing the sliding surfaces isn’t a wise idea but we don’t talk about that stuff here. But in general grease on sliding parts is wise.