Flint Lock Main Spring
- Thread starter Jappo
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Contacted them and I'll be sending the lock to them. I was quoted a very reasonable price just to make a spring. They will quote me to tune it and get it working right after they get it.
There are homespun options if you're handy with heating and bending. I've been using a piece of mouse trap coil spring as a sear spring for several years
Pretty crazy
Paul is a great guy!!
Well I got it shipped out.
Now the wait.
Now the wait.
No problem. Hope it works out for you. Stinks when a favorite is out of commission
Dixie used to match springs if you sent them the broken one. Worth a call.
I'll try to remember that next time.
Hopefully never sappens again.
FlinterNick
70 Cal.
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$200 is about what most gunmakers would charge to make a hand made mainspring. It takes 5-6 hours total, cut the steel, shape the steel, fit, harden temper, then re fit (if needed) and tune … at teh most someone is making 20-25 an hour. If someone quotes 100 bucks or less, and it takes them more than 3 hours, your down to minimum wage or less.
The sense I got from dealing with Mr. Ackermann is that he gets compensated mostly by love of supporting muzzleloading and muzzleloaders. I think he's got a main job and doesn't need the income from a side job muzzleloader gunsmithing to put food on the table. Keep in mind I'm just guessing, so please don't try to take advantage simply to save a few bucks.
FlinterNick
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Paul is retired.
There’s no standard price on the work, it’s all based on fact and circumstance. Ask Paul to repair an Indian lock I’m confident he would decline that job due to the time and cost.
With that said Brad Emig is an excellent gunsmith and is worth his rate. His reviews and reputation warrants it.
I do work with Paul, Paul is excellent also and would recommend him to anyone. Paul’s rate is Paul’s business, high or lower he’s worth every penny.
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Thank you for clarifying that. And I concur.
Dixie used to sell them; I could usually find one close enough to only need minimal fitting.
Worth a call or email?
Worth a call or email?
I have already sent it to Paul Ackermann. Should be there tomorrow or Thursday.
When I built my one flintlock I picked lock parts from boxes of parts at the Log Cabin to put together my own lock. The mainspring broke when hunting southern Ohio, I taped rubber bands up on the barrel and stretched over the cock, When I got back to northern Ohio, I was asked If I was hunting with a zip gun! Seems the whole state knew about it.
Anyway I made my own spring from tool steel by hand and it is still working after 60 years. I have made frizzen springs too. You can do it! Harden and temper right and it will outlive you.
Anyway I made my own spring from tool steel by hand and it is still working after 60 years. I have made frizzen springs too. You can do it! Harden and temper right and it will outlive you.
Brokennock
Cannon
How did this turn out?
I'd forgotten about this post. I've been shooting it. Just shot #4 buck though. Makes a mess out of old skillets at about 15 feet. 50gr 2f and 8 pellets. Got 6 hit the skillet one time. Mostly its about 4. I use 2f in the pan. A lot of it. Fill it full. One ftf out of 6 rounds. Had to sharpen the flint. I've put 15 rounds out of it with the same flint. Have a tiny brass hammer for it.
Brokennock
Cannon
So the spring got fixed. Excellent.
Yes, he modified one from another pistol. I'll get a picture later. I had to take some wood off inside the stock to make it fit.
