Lock quality on a InvestArm Hawken?

[RocketMan58]

I'm likely going to order a 36 cal Invest Arm Santa Fe Hawken kit this week. The question is Flint or cap? What I am reading is that the locks on the InvestArm brand locks are often replaced after the fact. However, I'm thinking that a mediocre percussion lock should be faster and more reliable that a mediocre that a Flint based lock. Thoughts from those who have experience with InvestArms flintlocks? Should I avoid? Are they reliable? Slow? As always, advice from those in the know here is greatly appreciated.

 

[oldramrod]

I like their percussion locks but not their flintlocks

 

[AlexB]

Investarms percussion lock.

 

[mrd]

I have a 50 cal. Flint lock that I've used for over 30 years and the lock works fine.

 

[Keyhole]

I have several of them in .50 and .54 and they all work great so far

 

[olkev]

I have a Lyman Great Plains rifle - .54 flint - great shooter with room to make even better.
I changed out the stock set triggers with a Davis set trigger and an L&R's RPL-05-F Flint Lock
Completely changed the performance of my rifle and I've never looked back. Well worth the upgrade but don't think you have to do it all at once.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Never have had a problem with my investarm percussion lock. Fires a cap every time.

 

[LME]

View attachment 372407
Investarms percussion lock.

I prefer the leaf spring! not a a coil spring!

 

[Trot]

As far as production flintlocks go I have no complaints about the Investarm locks, much better than the old CVA's. The flint hits low on the frizzen, so you want to put the flint in bevel up. I've had a trade rifle for quite a few years and it's always been reliable.

 

[flatcreek]

Have a Lyman Trade rifle also and it works fine.

 

[AlexB]

I like the investarms rifles we have both shoot well and aside from nitpicking some finish issues well worth the money.

 

[bajabuc]

I'm likely going to order a 36 cal Invest Arm Santa Fe Hawken kit this week. The question is Flint or cap? What I am reading is that the locks on the InvestArm brand locks are often replaced after the fact. However, I'm thinking that a mediocre percussion lock should be faster and more reliable that a mediocre that a Flint based lock. Thoughts from those who have experience with InvestArms flintlocks? Should I avoid? Are they reliable? Slow? As always, advice from those in the know here is greatly appreciated.

Get the Gemmer or the Pedersoli...no brass and two wedges.

Flintlock worked for centuries.

 

[rusticbob]

I prefer the leaf spring! not a a coil spring!

Why? Coil springs are “bulletproof”!

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

I'm likely going to order a 36 cal Invest Arm Santa Fe Hawken kit this week. The question is Flint or cap? What I am reading is that the locks on the InvestArm brand locks are often replaced after the fact. However, I'm thinking that a mediocre percussion lock should be faster and more reliable that a mediocre that a Flint based lock.

Stop reading Internet myths you'll be better off.
For 600$ IMPO I'd be looking for a T/C maybe even with a Green Mountain barrel.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

I recently worked on an Investarms Hawken, It had other problems in addition to inconsistent ignition. The locks are not the best but are serviceable. One thing I did was to clean the lock and actually put some oil on it. Seems that every time someone brings me a gun to work on it doesn't appear to have ever been oiled since the day it was built. Put some oil on the lock every time you clean the rifle and it will work better. As to the inconsistent ignition the touch hole on the insert is very small so I opened it up to 1/16" and the last report from the owner it was firing every time now.

 

[bummy]

I have 2 Investarms Hawkens, one in flint the other in percussion. The percussion fires every time, the flint lock I replaced with a L&R RPL lock and it works better. My problem seems to be trying to get too many shots before knapping.

 

[Trot]

I recently worked on an Investarms Hawken, It had other problems in addition to inconsistent ignition. The locks are not the best but are serviceable. One thing I did was to clean the lock and actually put some oil on it. Seems that every time someone brings me a gun to work on it doesn't appear to have ever been oiled since the day it was built. Put some oil on the lock every time you clean the rifle and it will work better. As to the inconsistent ignition the touch hole on the insert is very small so I opened it up to 1/16" and the last report from the owner it was firing every time now.

I enlarged the touch hole on mine as well, I was getting good ignition in the pan, but the load didn't always go off.

 

[SPQR70AD]

I prefer the leaf spring! not a a coil spring!

coil spring much better lasts forever

 

[TransYank]

I have an Investarms 50 caliber percussion with set triggers that I converted to a 36 caliber for small game don't believe it has ever miss fired. I have a Lyman Trade from the late 70's early 80's 50 caliber flint that works well even killed a few deer with it in Dec / Jan Pa. season the flint does take a little more maintenance (no set trigger)

 

[RocketMan58]

Lots of good input here, Folks. Thanks Much. So I was watching a You Tube Vid of a recent Interview last night where he talks about releasing a Hawken model . ( Go to 7:30 mark in linked video to view) . His wife has apparently confirmed ( over at the I Love Muzzle Loading Blog) that the rifle will be released this year. Now I'm thinking I may just wait and see what he comes out with. It will cost a bit more but it should be worth it.