L&R Lock

[runningbadger]

Just a bit of a question. I ordered a L&R Classic Lock the other day. I recived it today and to my dismay it had lots of problems. If this was a Monday morning or Friday afternoon lock then it was a bad weekend. :barf: The tumbler nor the sear had the turned bearing radius, the hole for the tumbler was big enough I put a tumbler for a Brown Bess in it and it was still loose. The bridle sear screw was crooked by over 1/2 a hole at 90 degrees. I guess my question is has anybody had this much of a problem with L&R locks before? I usually use a Chambers Deluxe Siler but wanted a different look on this rifle.

 

[LRB]

I avoid L&R's when possible, but yours seems a bit worse than most. You need to contact L&R before doing anything to it. They should replace it.

 

[Roy]

I avoid L&R's when possible, but yours seems a bit worse than most. You need to contact L&R before doing anything to it. They should replace it.

:thumbsup: totally agree.

 

[Vaino]

Bought an L&R Classic 2 yrs. ago and promptly sent it back after disassembly. Never rec'd a lock w/ so many problems caused by shoddy workmanship. Have purchased 12 various Chambers' flintlocks since then and all have been excellent and no need gamble on any of the other locks.....Fred

 

[Erzulis boat]

I have had to re-do 2 L&R locks because of bridle issues. One lock I saved by just machining a new bridle from scratch and spotting the bridle fasteners from the lockplate face.

They just seem slapped together to me. Granted, some of the old stuff was no better, but in this age of modern machinery, it doesn't have to be so sloppy.

This is lame on many levels. Building a rifle nowadays is a labor of love, we put our best effort forward. A builder's reputation is at stake. We are not building in quantity for military use. It is hard enough as it is to merely inlet the parts and sculpt the stock correctly, we sure as heck don't need the mechanism that sets it in motion to suck.

A crappy lock means a crappy rifle.

 

[runningbadger]

I am seeing a bit of a trend. :surrender: I talked with TOTW and they are sending me a Golden Age lock from Chambers and apoligized for the problem. They were very helpfull on getting this problem resolved ASAP. Called L&R and still haven't had a call back yet, I called before 3:00pm Eastern, they close at 5:00pm. I think I will stay with the Siler and Chambers locks. They have always treated me good before.

 

[SR James]

I have two L&R flinters on rifles I built in 2000 & 2001 and they work fine. On the other hand, I recently purchased two L&R locks, one flint and one percussion, that had problems. The frizzen on the flinter was dead soft and wouldn't spark at all. I sent that lock back. The sear spring broke on the percussion lock first time I shot the rifle and had to be replaced. Seems that L&R's quality has slipped a lot from my older locks.

 

[Birddog6]

Yes, that sounds like a typical L&R to me. Not to worry. :grin: Last one I used I worked on it 2-3 weeks & invested another $75. in parts & it worked real good........ :shake:

 

[BrownBear]

Ah, man.

You guys are worrying me. I was all set to drop $95 on a L&R replacement lock for a Traditions Crockett. Now I have to figure out which is the biggest POS. At least I have experience rebuilding the Traditions.

 

[Melton Kidd]

guys I used an L&R from TOW back in the eighties and it as very very good. Now my question is are these L&R locks kits? If so who is building them. I know that TOW built most of their locks from kits back then. How about now? I was thinking of using another one, but now? Sign Cutter

 

[Birddog6]

All I can say is get your money back & buy a Chambers lock.

You will be glad ya did. :thumbsup:

 

[Zonie]

I don't recall ever seeing a L&R "kit".
Unless I'm mistaken the L&R locks are built by L&R.

By the way, I have several L&R locks and they seem to be well made and they have never given me any problems but, they were made back in the mid to late '90s.

 

[runningbadger]

I bought the lock from TOTW as a complete ready to go, POS :cursing: L&R still hasn't returned my call so I could tell them what I found

 

[Dave K]

L&R had a change of ownership a number of years back. The people who started the company, I am told made very good locks. Since that they sold the company, things have changed. My first L&R lock, is from 2001 and I have twice $ in it what I paid for it. Before I gave up on L&R, I had my locks sent back to them many times, looking for a cure. They responded cordially, but they never got a lock to perform as it should. IMHO, L&R is Chamber's best advertising.

 

[idahjo]

It is my understanding that a "Chambers Lock" does not necessarily mean that the lock is ASSEMBLED by Chambers. It may well be made from Chambers CASTINGS and assembled by God-knows-who! :hmm:

I just today ordered a Chambers L-5 lock from CHAMBERS to be sure of what I was laying my $$'s down for.

 

[cptleo1]

Give Jim a call and ask him who assembles his locks.

I think you might be surprised @ God-knows-who!

I know I was.

 

[Vaino]

If it's a "Jim Chambers" lock it would be warranted by him irregardless of the company chosen to assemble the parts. Many assemblers use Siler or other lock parts supplied by Chambers but these are not Chambers locks. To avoid any confusion, I order directly from Chambers..Fred

 

[Melton Kidd]

I am installing a Chamber lock that I goy direct for Jim Chambers and it is really nice. How ever he does sell kits. It is my understanding that if it is a kit the lock will be a Siler,not a Chambers. Does anyone know different?

 

[LRB]

Chambers bought Siler, so a Siler is a Chambers. It is my understanding he also made a few changes in them to make them better. Chambers sets high standards for those who assemble his locks. I would suggest buying direct, unless you know and trust another assembler to do it right. Chambers is the best production lock you can buy, with the best warranty and service if ever needed.

 

[Birddog6]

A Siler is not a Chambers Siler unless it was built thru Jim Chambers Flintlocks. Yes, they own the Siler patent & etc, however they sell lock kits to allot of places & people.

If you want to be sure it is a Chambers built lock, buy it directly from them.

A Chambers Siler will have a rounded head on the **** retaining screw, and also they will have an initial stamped in the back of the lockplate. From what I understand, this helps him keep track of who & what & when on the lock.