Flintlock Dilemmas and Wants

[wilded]

I have been looking for a small caliber flintlock for some time now and have run across a few deals but none were really just what I want. I really want a .36 but would settle for a .32 or .40. I want around a 36 inch barrel or just a little shorter. I would like something that looks like a copy of a style and not a modern sidelock. I am looking at a .45 right now, but it is not really what I want. I don't have the funds to order a custom at this time thus the watching for a deal. I have thought about converting my Vincent but hesitate to mess with the only custom and best shooting rifle I own. I have an Austin and Halleck .50 flinter so the .45 really doesn't get me down in caliber enough to justify the purchase. I recently came across this cut down frontier rifle in a small caliber called the Frontier Carbine and I am thinking real hard about one of these in .36 caliber. I am concerned about the patent breech of pedersoli frontiers and being able to use small charges of powder, plus the pain in neck of cleaning them. The barrel is 8 inches shorter than what I really want but I have a Cherokee precussion in .32 with that barrel length that is a joy to shoot so I could live with the barrel length. Your honest opinions on this rifle in .36 caliber would be greatly appreciated, good or bad. I am posting this on another site to get opinions of as many of you guys with flintlock experience as I can. Thanks,
Wild Ed :idunno:

 

[roundball]

"...the pain in neck of cleaning them (Patent Breeches)..."

Just a couple of things...unless there is something unique about the Pedersoli, I've intentionally / purposefully used many Patent Breech barrels from TC, GM and Rice for going on 20 years...they're simple to keep clean, personally have no interest in bothering with a barrel without a Patent Breech.

As far as advice about that rifle, it strikes me that you listed a number of reasons why you should not get that particular rifle...based on what I read, I'd suggest you wait and keep looking.

Also, remember that after hunting seasons are over, and after the first of the year, there always seems to be an uptick in the number of classifieds posted so you may start to see a lot more Flintlocks to choose from shortly.

Just my .02 cents...

 

[Rifleman1776]

It is impossible to have an opinion on what you want. If that is what you want, in my opinion, that is what you want. :wink: Logic doesn't apply. It is not a choice I would make. The .45, IMHO, is far more versitile. It is good for anything from squirrels to deer and is a great target caliber. Only you can decide. However, from what you say, I would suggest passing on this rifle and saving up for a really nice rifle that is exactly what you want.

 

[jethro224]

... personally have no interest in bothering with a barrel without a Patent Breech.

I'm curious. What exactly is the "bother" of a barrel without a "patent breech"?

While I agree that the patent breech barrels are simple enough to keep clean, I also believe the standard breech is even more simple to keep clean. There is one extra step involved in cleaning the patent breech (swapping the smaller diameter end onto the cleaning rod) than there is in cleaning the standard breech. I own and shoot both styles.

wilded, I agree with the others, wait for the rifle you really want. Of course, the final decision is all yours.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Having used both I don't see it as a deciding factor either way. Personally, in a flintlock, it seems the conventional breech is less bother. I like to use a worm and they don't come in a patent breech shape.

 

[ebiggs1]

My opinion is the Pedersoli has a smaller “powder chamber” than say a TC or Lyman but by no means is it any more difficult to clean. Plus it only holds a small amount of powder and should not affect your ability to use “small charges of powder”. Unless you want a very small amount. I have four Pedersoli's and they all work well. They each have their own quirks but work well.

 

[Old Salt]

I don't have an opinion on the rifle you posted. I've seen and shot the Pedersoli Cub with favorable results.

I bought an in-the-white rifle fron Tip Curtis a few years back. It's .40 caliber 36" GM barrel Lancaster style or maybe York.

The price is a few hundred more than a Pedersoli but might be closer to what you are hoping for.

 

[hanshi]

Let's see, I own three rifles with patent breeches and let a Pedersoli flint go awhile back (so I could get a custom). I never gave them any thought and they never gave me any trouble. If you want to save a bit longer or take your time with the classifieds you might find something "perfect".

 

[bchannell]

The biggest mistake I've made in a while was selling the .45 Southern I had a few months back. What has been said earlier about a .45 being the best of all worlds, is soooooo true. You can load them down, and shoot targets, load them up and shoot animals, and literally make them work for anything. I'd buy it back in minute, because, nothing else can do as much as a .45. And a big plus is it is just the right bore size for a 13/16" barrel, and makes a very nice weight, and shouldering rifle, when the length is 40".

Having said all that, get what YOU want, not what anyone tells you to buy. I also have a 40"X3/4"X.32cal and it is a sweet rifle, so you can't hardly go wrong there either.