Entering the world of flintlocks

[Col. Batguano]

You might want to entirely disassemble the lock to de-gunk it too. (Oil it up afterwards though.) You really don't have to, but disassembling and re-assembling it will give you better understanding for how it works, and make you braver should you ever wish to tune it up a little, polishing and stoning faces and the like.

 

[SgtErv]

Just got to fire it today. Had an awesome time. First time with a flinter and I am hooked. That is good, good fun. I even managed to shoot decently. Decently, I'll give it that much, but not much more.

However, upon that disassembling, I found a problem I started a thread about. The mainspring in the lock is cracked. Temporary setback.

 

[Arrowstorm]

You can usually get a main spring from the manufacturer. It's not difficult to replace. I've had to order parts from both Pedersoli and Traditions, so I'm sure your manufacturer can be located and will send you the part.

Welcome to the world of flint. You may want to try out plain old spit and pillowticking to help you with your accuracy. I find that combo to be to my liking when I need to send smoke and lead downrange accurately.

Happy shooting!

 

[yardhunter]

Hi All,

This Christmas I'll be the newest flintlock shooter.

I do know it's an entirely different animal shooting this compared to anything else, and have my ears and eyes open. Been reading on the forum a lot. Any of your thoughts are welcome.

Merry Christmas!

If you haven't already fired a flint”¦.when you do, you're gonna love it!
You'll be putting those cap guns away very soon.
Just like I did here in eastern Kentucky”¦.

This is 2 minutes long. Hope you enjoy it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBBnNJ4DS3c

 

[SgtErv]

Ohhh yessir. Sure have. Absolutely love it!

I've watched your video a couple of times. It's great! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you have as much fun as me haha

 

[steam1993]

I have just ordered a flintlock kit, can not wait to put it together. I know I will have to take my time assembling it.

Looking to the day when I can shoot it. I have fired a flintlock before and also a match lock.

I do own a .45 pistol and a .50 rifle but they are percussion :redface:

 

[SgtErv]

Nice! The impatience I know I'd feel is part of the reason I haven't built one yet haha.

Have fun!

 

[CTShooter]

Be warned, I'm getting into flintlocks now too.

Just ordered a couple of locks, I see a 20ga fowler in my future.

 

[SgtErv]

Nice! Smoothbores are in the cards for me at some point. A Bess would be nice. It'll be a while though haha

 

[Crewdawg445]

Have you ever built one? Allot of people order them with the intentions of being a part "A" to part "B" kit... However, once they realize its the complete opposite, then they feel the pressure of being in over their heads.

A very good piece of advice, purchase a good reference on building. It's a small price to pay and something that will become a priceless piece on the work bench.

Welcome as well, your done now... :thumbsup:

 

[Col. Batguano]

+1 on that. I bought a used custom gun first, then a book, and it took me about a year before I could work up the courage to dive in to a build. Even with that I still ordered a pre-carve, and had Pecatonica perform a bunch of the metal working operations for me.

 

[steam1993]

I am a machinist and am use to building steam engines. I also have a good selection of books on gun smiting and building, so am ready for the challenge.

 

[eggwelder]

I built my first lock with the instructions included in the chambers part set. no books or anything else. after filing the gates off, drilling the holes and doing the heat treat as instructed you`ll be fine. if you are remotely mechanicaly inclined and understand that tiny drill bits flex while drilling.....you`ll be fine. its not black magic, its logical, mechanical physics. yes you can screw it up. but its steel. you can add more with a welder and re-drill and re-tap. you can re-heat treat. if necessary you can make a new part.
.....the rest of the rifle.....
i built my first one with no book, just this forum. it is not pretty, it is not ugly. it may possibly represent the guns that don`t exist today because they were utilitarian, made by the user who recycled parts from other guns or whatever. it is not, definitely one of the high end beautiful rifles like members such as Dave Person and fletho build. but it works.