Half cock or Hammerstall?

[Darkhorse]

Crackstock, are you cutting a notch in the leather pad so the flint butts right against the jaw screw? If not this may me why there is a lack of clearance.

 

[Darkhorse]

Crackstock, do you cut a notch in your leather so the back of the flint can butt up against the jaw screw? I do, this may explain why I have a little more clearance. I don't take a lot off a new flint prior to hunting, just enough to make it extra sharp.

 

[CrackStock]

Thanks for the thought, but I cut a healthy notch in the flint pad so that I have the flint against the bolt.

I considered bending the cock back a bit, but did not wish to slow the lock time. Might still be a solution though.

CS

 

[Darkhorse]

I wouldn't do that. Not yet anyway.
This may have a much simpler solution than is at first apparent. Flint Knapping is not an exact science and the lengths will vary a little from flint to flint.
I buy my flints from Track of the Wolf 10 or 20 at a time, then go through them and pick out the ones for hunting and practice with the rest. When I practice the hammer stall is seldom, if ever, used. But regardless, if the flint edge is not where I want it I go ahead and knap it to where I like it right off.
You could find the shortest "New" flints and give them a try. They might just give you that little extra clearance.

One of my tests for a "hunting" or back up hunting flint is to put it in the jaws and be sure they tighten up properly and the flint sits the way I want it. These go into a dedicated bag and later I may go back through it and pick the best of the best. In a Siler lock a good flint will last for many deer seasons seeing as we seldom take over a few shots a year. I usually take them out and save them at the end of the season for next years hunting.

 

[CrackStock]

Actually, I have over 150 flints, but almost all are too long for this particular gun. I can knap a few, but I may also bend the cock as it does seem too far forward. It can be bent back easily or a replacement is cheap.

Might as well give it a try and learn.

CS