Italian made flintlocks

[toot]

as long as it is not a FRIDAY NIGHT or MONDAY MORNING ONE! there should be no problems. but how does one know? a manure shoot!

 

[Howard Pippin]

I'm quite sure That many of us on this site do not have the skill, or the drive to make a complete rifle. I also believe that many of us make some of our own accessories or minor improvements to the rifles and other equipment that we use. I'm certainly not capable of building many things, but that doesn't mean I don't joy or use them. Yes, I have put together some kits but it was probably less than 10% of what it took to make the entire object. Some were done for enjoyment some were done because of money. To each his own, we are all good at one thing or another.
Squint

 

[Crowtalks]

I have a Pedersoli 50 cal Frontier flintlock and even though it is a well built, nice looking rifle, it does have a couple of things.

One thing is the diameter of the barrel is .490 which means I have to use a .480 ball and .010 patches to seat the rounds.

The hammer doesn't line up with the frizzen (this apparently is common) and I have to move the flint over to the left as far as possible to get contact on any more than half the frizzen. The touch hole is the standard metric diameter but performs flawlessly (so far)

 

[hanshi]

Any particular gun you are referring to reference Pedersoli and “not particularly authentic”? And no snark intended I am curious and try to learn.
For my “mini collection” I have Pedersoli French flintlocks from the Revolution/Napoleonic era. Having looked at the originals inside and out (via online pictures anyway) I’m not seeing a difference in design or parts. Not saying dimensions may not be off a tad here and there. They are a 1/2 pound heavier. I read that’s in a thicker barrel in this litigious age. Lock engraving (though it looks good to me in the few detail pics) and screw thread pitch I can’t speak to.

Some are indeed fairly close to representing the original rifles that inspired them. This is only a minor point as far as I'm concerned, and their quality is certainly a step above most any other factory gun. I've owned more than one Pedersoli and liked them a lot. Yes, the architecture isn't always true to the originals and often exhibit at least some amount of what I call "flights of fancy". If you don't want the Kibler kit you can do far worse than a Pedersoli. It's not easy to come up with any substantive criticism of them and a rifle from them will give you great service and pleasure. Your choice can't be faulted with a Pedersoli.

 

[Snydly]

have several Pedersoli rifles and smoothies. All are first class and their locks work just fine.. no problems. Great quality for the money!

 

[Compressorguy]

If your concerned about quality of new due to the pandemic then maybe consider used, plus you can save quite a bit of $$$. That’s what I did. Ive always wanted a flintlock and purchased an excellent used condition Pedersoli Frontier flintlock in .50 for $550. It was mfg in 1994. I learned how to load, shoot, disassemble and maintain it. Made a possible and ball bag and some powder measures, carved a horn, etc. Really got into it. Then I wanted a custom rifle (Kibler) but having no experience building one or funds ($1,100 plus) for a custom rifle kit that I don’t want to screw up I decided to customize my Pedersoli, which was still WAY cheaper than purchasing a new kit or custom rifle. Learned ALOT rebuilding that Pedersoli into a more traditional built rifle so when I do eventually get a Kibler I will be more confident and experienced building it. Honestly for me it was a great, affordable way to get into the hobby. Here’s my new customized Pedersoli, better than ever! Good luck on your quest. I’d say go for it!

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...ntier-flintlock-customization-project.142279/

 

[Johnny Tremain]

No third world built gun is top quality. They are third world production for those that do not know better than get a quality firearm.

 

[mushka]

I don't think Italy is third world. Been civilized longer than us I think. Pedersoli's are made in Italy I think. Where did the third world idea com from anyway, I'm at a loss here.

 

[Hawk54]

Some of the Italian arms makers have been in business for centuries and make some of the best weapons in the world. Would hardly call Italian weapons makers Beretta, Perazzi, Benelli, Franchi, Fiocchi, Tangfoglio, Uberti, Pedersoli, and Leonardo third world manufacturers. They are among the best on the planet.

 

[leadhoarder]

Some of the Italian arms makers have been in business for centuries and make some of the best weapons in the world. Would hardly call Italian weapons makers Beretta, Perazzi, Benelli, Franchi, Fiocchi, Tangfoglio, Uberti, Pedersoli, and Leonardo third world manufacturers. They are among the best on the planet.

I know I wish big green and the other American brands still made forearms with the blueing and wood quality of those Italian manufacturers.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I have 2 of 'em. Pedersoli Frontier percussion and flintlock. Love 'em both. No issues, ordered from a dealer after drooling over them for awhile in a catalog. First time I saw either one was when I unboxed them.

 

[BigAl52]

I can mess up a 2x4 with a black can of spray paint. Finishing a Kibler rifle for me would be a disaster in the making. Ill buy one from Pathfinder if I ever decide to get another one. But the Pedersolis are nice rifles I have owned one and it was well made

 

[Dreamhawk]

For what the Italians are asking, a Kibler’s kit would be my first choice.

Yeah, you’ll have to build it, but it’s a VERY easy and quick build with all the hard work already done for you.

The quality is phenomenal for the price, you will have ZERO worries about anything wrong with the gun, and it will be set up perfectly to be an amazing shooter with a top quality AMERICAN barrel, cutting-edge CNC lock, and just in general will be incredible.

With all that being said, I’d go for a Pedersoli if you don’t want a Kibler. Their flint locks are decent and spark pretty well. Investarms? They make good percussion guns, but their flint locks are not exactly the best IMHO.

That's very true. I have Pedersoli on rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Good quality all. Uberti might be the best, but you will pay out the eats for Uberti.
On the other hand, I have a couple Spanish makes that are beautiful to look at, but I wouldn't trust them to pop a cap. Break one down and you find parts that are machined poorly. Made off whack then just drilled to fit the pieces together. Take one apart, and it's like a Chinese puzzle box trying to put them back together where all the pieces fit.
I've been shooting Italian makes (primarily Pedersoli) since the 70's (dating myself), and I have to say, I only had a problem with one. But that's a story into itself!

 

[toot]

I'm quite sure That many of us on this site do not have the skill, or the drive to make a complete rifle. I also believe that many of us make some of our own accessories or minor improvements to the rifles and other equipment that we use. I'm certainly not capable of building many things, but that doesn't mean I don't joy or use them. Yes, I have put together some kits but it was probably less than 10% of what it took to make the entire object. Some were done for enjoyment some were done because of money. To each his own, we are all good at one thing or another.
Squint

I agree with you. I an not one of the , look at what I have got. I have several of the INDIAN guns and not a problem with any of them. and yes they are all that I can afford.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I have a Lyman Hawken style .50 cap lock that was a kit. I believe they were originally made in Italy, but do not know for sure. This rifle has worked flawlessly since I built it. I have other rifles that are all handmade customs, with Chambers locks, high end wood, carving, Swamped Sharon or Rice barrels etc. The ole Lyman puts the ball right where it needs to go every time, just as well as the other do! Go figure. It is on the top in the pic. I did the browning of the metal and stock work. The rest of the machining etc was already done in the kit.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I agree with you. I an not one of the , look at what I have got. I have several of the INDIAN guns and not a problem with any of them. and yes they are all that I can afford.

There was a time in my life when I thought having the absolute best of what ever item I was looking at, Watch, Car, Rifle whatever, was necessary. As I grew older I realized that all those things were just things, and the only people who really cared whether I had a Rolex or not, were those whose values, standards and integrity were not always at the highest level. I ended up selling the Rolex a few years ago and the Wenger Swiss Army watch ($100) I use daily keeps just as good time. I learned to enjoy what I have and appreciate what I have without always thinking I need better or more. I watched a Trap contest one time where a guy beat the living day lights out of all comers, even those with the $5,000 Perrazi's etc. He used an old beat up 870 wingmaster. Oh well.

 

[Robby]

I have only owned one Pedersoli, a 12 ga. double. I sold it, not because of any problems, I just didn't use it. I thought it was an excellent gun for the price. There are thousands and thousands of satisfied Pedersoli gun owners, out of all those happy shooters, you only hear from those with a problem and they seem like pretty small numbers in comparison. Maybe not always historically accurate but of a quality and availability that satisfies many many customers.
Robby

 

[TreeMan]

I have a Pedersoli Brown Bess, Kentucky, Trade gun, and a Mortimer. The only issue I’ve ever had was a main spring broke and the roller on the frizzen spring broke off on the Mortimer after 30+ years of hard use. Never an issue out of the box or long term with any of the others. The Mortimer lock has seen lots of matches since it was made in 1989. I’ll probably be dead before it needs another spring. I have a shooting match with it in two weeks. Most people with positive experiences with any product are quiet about it. It’s the negative experiences that get the most press.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Not everybody is interested in building a gun so we buy factory ones or custom if we can afford it. As long as you are happy with yours, that’s what matters.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Would you have any concerns about ordering an Italian factory gun by Perdersoli or Investarms from a reputable online dealer site unseen right now?

My concerns are about the overall quality and pan/flashhole fit. I have read here and other places that the factories had issues with their workforces being impacted by the china virus. Maybe now is not a good time to be buying?

I have several Pedersoli firearms…you should be fine.