How do you **** your lock?

[MountainSmoke]

I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the **** on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the **** with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks

 

[Grenadier1758]

As long as you have control of the hammer and can comfortably go to half **** and full ****, the use of your thumb or palm is perfectly fine.

 

[smo]

I do which ever the situation requires…sometimes I even use my off (left) hand..

Hope this helps……..

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use the "croock" of my thumb, not the ball which can slip off.

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

I generally checker the **** on percussion guns, keeps it from slipping. You can use a metal checkering tool, or a small triangular file.
On flintlocks, the ****, with it's screw top, generally provides sufficient grip.

 

[andy52]

When I'm hunting and the gun is at the low ready I use my thumb, when shooting off the bench I use the lower part of my palm in an overhand fashion.

 

[Eterry]

I have tried both. I feel like I have more control using the palm, but that's just me on my early Lancaster rifle. On my pistol I have used my thumb, the **** is much smaller and my thumb fits well.
Use what feel best and gives you good control. . No need to go off Half-Cocked... sorry I couldn't resist the pun.

 

[rchas]

I was never comfortable using my thumb on either a flint or percussion, it just seems awkward. I most often hook my pinky/middle fingers on my right hand around the ****/hammer to pull it back.

 

[Cruzatte]

I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the **** on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the **** with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks

Oh....I see what you're asking. It all depends on

• the size of the lock
• the strength of the mainspring.

On my rifle, I simply use my thumb. On my French fusil, I use my whole hand.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Interesting question.

When at the range, I use my cupped hand and pull back on the **** screw with the hook of my pinky finger. When I'm hunting, I'm usually sitting down, so I it's easier to use my thumb.

 

[deerstalkert]

i use the left hand cupped and hook the **** with the bottom of my pinky on the top jaw. on percussion i use the left hand much the same but with the outer pad of my palm hooking the spur.
barely have what i need to pull the set trigger in my right hand most the time. Aurthur's right us you know.

 

[hanshi]

I tend to use the thumb web part of the palm if cocking with the trigger hand or the whole palm of the off hand.

 

[mushka]

I tend to use the lower part of my right hand rather than fingers. Arthritis is painful when using the fingers. A couple of my guns have strong springs.

 

[MountainSmoke]

Oh....I see what you're asking. It all depends on

• the size of the lock
• the strength of the mainspring.

On my rifle, I simply use my thumb. On my French fusil, I use my whole hand.

That makes sense, most of the time I see folks using their hand it is on trade guns and muskets with large locks and not so much on smaller locked guns.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the **** on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the **** with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks

I really had to think about this…the way I usually carry my flintlock, in the field, is with the gun cradled in my left arm, and gripped in my left hand. The firearm is angled across my body with my right hand gripping across the wrist of the rifle with my right thumb resting across the frizzen.

When I shoulder the gun, my left arm dips under the gun, as my left hand rotates and grips the forestock. Then as I bring the but-stock up into position, my thumb slips over the frizzen, ensuring it is closed, and cocks the gun.

When the firearm comes into position against the muscle of my right arm, and my eyes are lining up the sights…the firearm is cocked.

Great for snap shooting rising pheasants and quail. It’s gotten me more than 1 elk, when I clumsily wandered, unaware, into a bedding area…you get that split second when the elk stands to see what disturbed it, before bolting.

 

[Colonial Boy]

I was never comfortable using my thumb on either a flint or percussion, it just seems awkward. I most often hook my pinky/middle fingers on my right hand around the ****/hammer to pull it back.

Me too, seems I’ve always done it that way but pistols I **** with the lower side of my left palm.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

It depends, If still hunting and carrying at port arms I may use my thumb. At the range bench I most often use the crook of my pinky finger.

 

[bdub1792]

Honestly I dont really have a specific way, just **** it and go

 

[Coinneach]

I've habitually used the crooked lower web of my right hand (Lefty here) to **** both ML long arms and Pistols, with nary a problem.

 

[toot]

I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the **** on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the **** with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks

some people even reach over with there left inner palm to **** it. it looks very odd to me.