First flintlock advice needed

[GrumpyOldFatGuy]

My son has great interest in getting into muzzleloading and would like to be as traditional as possible, starting with a flintlock rifle. Although I am an avid shooter of other firearms, I have no idea what would be an ideal rifle for him to get started.

Not looking for something on the "cheap and entry-level" side, more like something that would be well-made that he could learn to use with proficiency for the rest of his life.

Any specific recommendations would be most welcome as well as suggestions on cost. For many of my other firearms I have purchased them used as I have the ability to discern critical wear points. Is a used gun a good idea for what he desires.

Thank you!

 

[kje54]

My son has great interest in getting into muzzleloading and would like to be as traditional as possible, starting with a flintlock rifle. Although I am an avid shooter of other firearms, I have no idea what would be an ideal rifle for him to get started.

Not looking for something on the "cheap and entry-level" side, more like something that would be well-made that he could learn to use with proficiency for the rest of his life.

Any specific recommendations would be most welcome as well as suggestions on cost. For many of my other firearms I have purchased them used as I have the ability to discern critical wear points. Is a used gun a good idea for what he desires.

Thank you!

You've come to the right place but we're going to need more info in order to steer you in the correct direction.
First off how old is your son? That would have a bearing on length and weight of the flintlock.
Traditional can mean a lot of things, pre Revolutionary War, Rev War period, Golden Age period, military, civilian.
If he's handy in any way either Jim Kibler kit would work for him, the Colonial Rifle or the Southern Mountain Rifle. The Kibler kits are pretty easy to put together.
Often people will sell their used guns here in the For Sale section, you could look there. The biggest challenge you're going to find is most everyone is out of stock, back ordered or very overpriced on many of the auction sites. He will need real black powder not the synthetics for flintlock and lead or bismuth for shot depending on where you live.
Your best bet is to find a black powder club in your area that can help you directly.

 

[Are. M.]

Second that Kibler kit. They're not cheap, but mine went together smoothly. The biggest PITA was getting the brass butt plate to fit just right. I think the kit with lock was ~1100.

You're in the right place if you're looking to make an informed decision.

RM

 

[Osseon]

You can get a Kibler for about $1000, and get a master builder to finish it around $950. You'll have a beautiful well working rifle for 2k, if you want anything special done to it they'll usually charge another 1k for carving/engraving.

TVM also provides a finished rifle service and you can request any adjustments and have the rifle fitted for your kid for probably 2-2.5k.

If you are unsure you kid will enjoy the hobby and just want to start out easy, get a Veteran arms gun for about $600, they come ready to fire and will teach your kid how to maintain and clean one (I'm using a blunderbuss as a starting flintlock and boy oh boy the mistakes I've made already I'll never forget!). Basically a good "Beater" flintlock.

 

[GrumpyOldFatGuy]

I appreciate the advice thus far and I think we're going in the right direction. He and I have discussed the possibility of building something nice from a kit but I'm thinking that might be the 2nd one because if you got to spend a long time put it all together it's possible to run I guess before it's done. Further, if he gets one fully assembled and really loves it will be better informed about which kit to buy after some hands-on.

Further advice is deeply appreciated but this is a start for me.

 

[Osseon]

Further advice is deeply appreciated but this is a start for me.

I'll pass along the advice I got a few weeks ago when I asked these questions: Go find a muzzleloading club, or someone who owns one. Until you hold a flintlock and operate it you probably will never 100% know for sure what he likes or doesn't. If you tell us what state you live in, someone will probably be able to point you towards a group or association. Muzzleloaders are a friendly lot and they love to teach and show people their favorite rifles. Surprisingly there is a Muzzleloading shooting competition every 2nd saturday 13 minutes from my house, I didn't know this until someone invited me over from the forum to go shooting, and I learned more in that 4 hours then I did 4 months of research.

 

[kje54]

I appreciate the advice thus far and I think we're going in the right direction. He and I have discussed the possibility of building something nice from a kit but I'm thinking that might be the 2nd one because if you got to spend a long time put it all together it's possible to run I guess before it's done. Further, if he gets one fully assembled and really loves it will be better informed about which kit to buy after some hands-on.

Further advice is deeply appreciated but this is a start for me.

Don't know what you price range is but here's a Mike Compton (pre Rev War) Colonial (brand new) for sale through Track of the Wolf.

Colonial Longrifle, .58 caliber, 43-1/2" swamped barrel, round faced flintlock, curly maple, engraved brass, signed by Mike Compton - Track of the Wolf

 

[Tom Compton]

After style and fit the three most important things to consider about choosing a flintlock are .....

1. The lock
2. The Lock
And
3. The lock

A good flintlock is a joy. An inferior flintlock is depressing and a waste of time, effort and money.

 

[1dogdown]

Why is everyone suggesting 2-3 thousand dollar gun? I'm sure you started out with a less expensive gun.Get a lyman gpr and he's good to go.If he likes muzzel loading then he can move up.

 

[kje54]

Why is everyone suggesting 2-3 thousand dollar gun? I'm sure you started out with a less expensive gun.Get a lyman gpr and he's good to go.If he likes muzzel loading then he can move up.

The OP specifically stated "flintlock" and not a beginner gun.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Because many of us started with an inexpensive flintlock and spent more money in the end before enjoying a good one. But I believe a very good one can be had for just over a thousand.

 

[Grenadier1758]

My son has great interest in getting into muzzleloading and would like to be as traditional as possible, starting with a flintlock rifle. Although I am an avid shooter of other firearms, I have no idea what would be an ideal rifle for him to get started.

Not looking for something on the "cheap and entry-level" side, more like something that would be well-made that he could learn to use with proficiency for the rest of his life.

Any specific recommendations would be most welcome as well as suggestions on cost. For many of my other firearms I have purchased them used as I have the ability to discern critical wear points. Is a used gun a good idea for what he desires.

Thank you!

We don't get a lot of help from the OP other than traditional and of good quality. The rifle that comes to mind is the Kibler Early Colonial kit. Great lock, great architecture, swamped barrel and easy to assemble.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Here’s one that has sold recently for $1200 I believe.
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=64837.0

 

[Osseon]

Why is everyone suggesting 2-3 thousand dollar gun? I'm sure you started out with a less expensive gun.Get a lyman gpr and he's good to go.If he likes muzzel loading then he can move up.

OP specifically said not a beginner gun. I even recommended a Veteran arms $600 gun as a beginner gun, but if OP requested it, we're recommending some 2k guns.

 

[1dogdown]

I think the op is referring to Cva or a Traditions. The signature series is a solid gun.

 

[kje54]

I think the op is referring to Cva or a Traditions. The signature series is a solid gun.

Then why don't you link some and let him decide but I'm pretty sure you got something out of the OP that the rest of us didn't............. Not trying to be nasty just wondering how you came to that conclusion.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I think the op is referring to Cva or a Traditions. The signature series is a solid gun.

@GrumpyOldFatGuy was asking about a traditional gun. While the CVA of Traditions rifles can be tuned to function acceptably and the Pedersoli / Lyman Signature Series are solid guns, they don't fit the description of a traditional rifle. The $600 Veterans Arms or Loyalist Arms rifles are a better match to the traditional description but they don't have the quality of the Kibler kit.

 

[Cattywompuss]

One barrier besides cost to me getting into flintlocks was that I could see from afar the fact that the imports were not up to snuff. Serviceable is not what I wanted. Thus I was a bit priced out. The OP specifically says he doesn't want to go cheap and wants a lifelong weapon for his son. Like those who had the means of old, there is no reason for him to go half-measure on a gun. So I think TVM, Kibler, and up is a perfectly fair recommendation to make. Heck, if my dad could have bought be a custom gun as a kid I would have spent every minute not shooting doing chores to make him happy.

OP, good on you for going whole hog.

 

[Eric Bye]

Another suggestion: visit the web page for the NMLRA (National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association - www.nmlra.org/field-representatives) and check out the list of their field reps. Maybe there is one who lives close enough to you to be of help.
I second your wish to shoot a traditional flintlock; if you and your son can master that you will be able to shoot anything well. But be patient with yourselves; there is a learning curve, and the rewards are commensurate with the challenge.
Good luck, and keep your powder dry!

 

[Capnball]

My son has great interest in getting into muzzleloading and would like to be as traditional as possible, starting with a flintlock rifle. Although I am an avid shooter of other firearms, I have no idea what would be an ideal rifle for him to get started.

Not looking for something on the "cheap and entry-level" side, more like something that would be well-made that he could learn to use with proficiency for the rest of his life.

Any specific recommendations would be most welcome as well as suggestions on cost. For many of my other firearms I have purchased them used as I have the ability to discern critical wear points. Is a used gun a good idea for what he desires.

Thank you!

I bought a good used (but never fired) Pedersoli kentucky flintlock. I can group shots out to 100 yards and it's as reliable as it is pretty. There's tons of guns out there. I'm sure they all have great points. This was my first flintlock and it's been just great. They're affordable, very nicely done and they do what they're supposed to with a minimal amount of fuss.
Good luck! Let us know what you get!
Neil