Flintlock vs Percussion

[Cowboy]

OK, I know right off the bat that this topic is going to stir the hornets nest! :grin:

Just finished reading the topic about Flintlock and Rain in the flinters section of the forum. Got me to thinking about the pro's and con's of both types.

If you had a check list with the pro's and con's sitting in front of you concerning both types of ignition and honestly checked them off without favoring one over the other, how would you rate them and what would you be looking for?

This topic is for those who have a great deal of experience using both types. I am excluding myself from this topic due to the fact that about 98% of my experience comes from percussion and just have recently entered into shooting flinters. I feel that I am not qualified to honestly compare the two.

What says you and why?? Advantages and Disadvantages of both!!

Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

BTW: Now be honest! :grin:

 

[necchi]

op:

 

[Gene L]

I'm fairly new to flintlocks myself and so I offer a pretty fresh view of what's going to be much discussed, I'm sure.

I have been shooting caplock rifles back since 1970 or so, and recently got a TVM Southern Mountain flintlock. At first, I was going to get a caplock rifle by my shooting bud talked me into a flintlock. And I'm glad he did.

As far as performance and handiness is concerned, there is a reason why the cap lock replaced the flintlock. I think it's marginally faster and more weather resistant. Having said all that, I LOVE my flintlock! And it's hard to quantify so I won't try. It's as accurate as my caplock rifles once you get over the learning curve.

My family history back two generations are Alvin York type mountain people, armed with cap lock rifles. So I kind of broke with tradition to go with flint. Although I suppose if you go back far enough with most of us, there's a flintlock in there somewhere. Maybe even a matchlock. When I started shooting MLs in the 70s, flintlocks were nearly unheard of with modern shooters. I assume they were available, but I don't know where. Or what quality. Or where you'd get things like flints, for example.

My next ML rifle, if I should live that long, will be flint. I was pleasantly surprised at the performance. If you can borrow one to try out, I'd suggest that...or you can jump in like I did.

 

[rustyh]

I have two Dixie Tennessee Mountain rifles one flint one percussion I shoot them interchangeably they both fit and sight the same. To tell the truth if I know it is going to be wet I take the percussion.

 

[don hepler]

It's hard to explain what you are asking for. It's the difference in the experience that set them apart. A cross bow beats a compound bow and a compound bow beats a long bow. However your reason for choosing a long bow, has nothing to do with pro's and con's, it has more to do with the challenge of the long bow. Same for a flintlock vs. cap lock. You could load a cap lock and slip a plastic sleeve around the cap and hunt in pouring down rain, but then you could slip a cow's knee over a flintlock and do the same. Sure the lock on a flintlock is more subjected to the elements, but that's not the reason to choose a cap lock. I love the flintlock experience, and just avoid rainy weather. If it's all about hunting regardless of the conditions, then I guess a cap lock would be better. With a flintlock, protecting the pan powder, keeping the frizzen and flint dry....requires attention to detail. But if you are hunting, I think you will be more fulfilled using the flintlock. I shoot both, and I enjoy my small caliber cap lock rifles, but honestly, I wish they were flintlock. If I have to hunt, and the weather is really bad, I really would not want my nice custom flintlock rifles out in those conditions. I'd grab an old TC and use that. Get both, you can't go wrong.

 

[tenngun]

I'm a flint shooter, love them. What's 'better' ? An ar-15 for most shooting, a .458 mag for big African game. While there may be particular, and now days a fantasy condition where flints are the best gun, it would've a rare situation.
Spear throwers are better then thrown spears, bows better then spear throwers, cross bows better then drawn, matchlocks better then crossbows, on through wheel locks , flints and cap, beyond to the great single shots, and repeaters and self loaders.
I don't shoot a flinter because it's best, but because I enjoy it the best.

 

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

If its raining or snowing... Percussion without a doubt.

 

[Cowboy]

I have both hadden,

I agree with you about the challenge and gratification one gets by using the flinter. Also which would be practical during certain weather conditions.

This topic is intended for what the individual shooter's opinion's are concerning both types. What they view as the pro's and con's of using and having both types.

Someone who is well rounded in the use of both types. You answered that question superbly and gave your reasons for your replies.

I now shoot flintlocks as well! It's just that most of all my experience comes from caplocks, so I don't feel myself experienced to list all the pro's and con's of both ignition systems as I see it.

Just thought it would be fun to start this topic and maybe learn something new in the process!

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[BrownBear]

For me it's a question that would have done well on the floor of either political convention. But probably be a lot more illuminating and honest.

I bounce back and forth between the two with my mood, and not the weather. That's cuzz if I do my part, they're equally reliable. If I don't do my part, they're equally unreliable.

It's all on me and not the basic nature of the gun. Precautions and preparations are important with both, and if you don't do them, you'll have problems.

Simple really. Next time you have a misfire in the rain, look in the mirror and not at the gun in your hands.

 

[Flintlock]

I guess it kind of depends what era your interested in the most, shooting flintlocks take a little more time to learn properly. I've had friend numerous times, tell me how much more reliable caplocks are just to have them misfire, it's happened to me to, frustrating when trying to take game. All in all, a flinter seems best for me.

 

[jethro224]

Flintlock pro- You don't have to fiddle with them dang little bitty caps.
Flintlock con- you have to learn how to fiddle with a flint.

Flint pro- A flint is cheaper than a tin of caps.
con- :idunno: a flint might last 100 shots or might shatter after only a couple of shots.

Flint pro- Flinters are way cooler than capslappers. :wink:
con- about the time you say that at the range you'll get a klatch. :haha:

 

[Captjoel]

I have owned and shot both flintlock and percussion rifles for many years. Started out with percussion and a little later got addicted to flintlock, which I prefer to shoot.
The main reason that I keep shooting a percussion rifle from time to time is that I feel sorry for a good rifle just sitting around in my gun safe.
I also have a life time supply of those little round things in the tin cans. I think they are called caps! :shocked2:

 

[curator]

At my age, I am no longer very agile or fast on my feet. I gave up hunting hogs with my flinters unless I am going to be in a tree stand. Standing on the ground, I prefer the reliability of the cap lock, and even better, a double barreled one. Not quite as exciting but I can live with that.

 

[Pete G]

Jethro pretty much nailed it......


I shoot for fun and flintlocks are way more fun. :wink:

 

[BrownBear]

The most important point in using either in the rain is experience. You're not likely to know how to deal with the rain if you haven't been shooting in the rain.

Kick your butt out the door and head for the range next time it's raining! Don't sit home whining and waiting for the rain to pass. :slap:

If you think it's tough at first in the controlled conditions at the range, you can guess how tough it's going to be if your first rain experience is on a hunt.

And make repeated trips to the range in rainy weather. You'll refine your system. If the range layout allows it, do some walking around rather than simply planting your feet in one spot.

And especially get out in the rain and do some small game hunting. I know of no better way to get good at it than to stalk critters with a shot here and a shot there over the course of the day.

If you can get in a day of shooting without misfires on small game, it's child's play to keep your gun functioning at top form on a deer hunt.

 

[galamb]

I think the answer to the question "for me" is much more simple.

If you answer - what do YOU want out of the rifle and what do you want it for.

In the evolution of the rifles we follow, the flint came "before" the cap guns - the caps were seen as an "improvement" by the guys who relied on these guns to feed themselves and keep them alive.

If it really "wasn't" an improvement, they never would have taken hold.

So if you are historically motivated to a certain period, get the gun that would have been used then.

I hunt my guns, so for me a cap is just more reliable in any condition I might find myself in - so I choose cap guns.

But of course you have to have a flinter tucked away for days you spend with the really cool kids

 

[coloradoclyde]

If one has to justify either by postulating the pro's and con's of each....They probably are not ready, or have missed the whole point of owning either...
Both are to be relished and enjoyed....

Owning a traditional muzzleloader is a divergence form the norm.....A flintlock is merely a continuation of that path.....
For some it is a leap!....others a journey....
Chose your own path.

 

[Captjoel]

I just love that word "relished" Clyde! Your last statement is pure poetry! :v

 

[fleener]

I have a bunch of cap guns, and I am on my second flintlock. I still consider myself a novice with the flintlock. This past weekend I had my flinter out for our father/son campout. I got the flinter to the point that I could not get the charge to light. It was plugged up. Had to pull the ball and put water down the barrel to scrape the powder out. Lesson learned.

My son told me I should sell that rifle. But it was my doings that caused it, or lack of doings.

I am determined to figure those things out.

Fleener

 

[hanshi]

I have both and like both and have taken small and large game with both. But my flinters get used the most by far. Flinters are elegant, complex and require a closer association and a level of personal intimacy between the gun and shooter. A percussion is simple mechanics; a flinter is nuanced. Percussion locks are about all the same but flint locks are individuals. While I enjoy shooting my percussions, I enjoy shooting/hunting with flinters infinitely more.