Looking for a good flintlock pistol; recommendations

[SacramentoJohnson]

Hi all,
Have decided to try flintlock and would like to know what would be a good quality period correct looking flintlock pistol for the 1800-1840 era. I am not mechanically inclined, so need one that does not need to be 're-worked/re-made' to run well. I realize this will probably increase the price, but I am flexible there. Any mass- marked ones of good quality you'd recommend? Any customs you'd recommend? I'd like it in 50 caliber and prefer it to be rifled, not smooth bore.
Thank you!

 

[simonbeans]

There are plenty of good custom pistols available from qualified makers. But expect to pay in the 4 figures.
However this one is pretty good. I have had decent success with it, as did the previous owner. Price is ok also.
It is the Traditions Pirate.

 

[palonghunter]

Pedersoli is about the only production manufacturer that makes consistently good flintlocks. Their Kentucky pistol probably fits the bill for what you're after.

In my experience, Traditions (and CVA, although they no longer sell flinters) flintlocks are hit or miss. Some work great, some don't work at all, and most are somewhere in between.

 

[AFMSgt]

I have the French 1773 from MVTC and am quite happy with it. Loads of fun, sparks like mad. At $375 it ain't a bad deal.

 

[FishDFly]

Pederoli Kentucky is a nice pistol.

The Charles Moore is better, with a set trigger.

Move on to the LePage and you entering into quality pistols.

Look at the Pedersoli website, Taylor's and Cherry's to see what is available and the cost.

There can be a long waiting list to get a Pedersoli.

 

[Zonie]

One Pedersoli flintlock pistol I wouldn't recommend is the Queen Anne, 50 caliber smoothbore.

The vent hole is extremely deep and small and can cause a lot of misfires (flash in the pan).

I reworked mine to drill out the vent hole to a larger size and built my own special vent plug for it.

That did greatly increase the reliability of the gun but being a smoothbore, without sights of any kind it is only really useful for shooting watermelons at ranges of less than 5 yards.

Did you know watermelon shot with a .50 caliber ball can coat the front of the shooter with red stuff?

 

[AZbpBurner]

Be careful with MVTC, since I'm not sure if they're even in business anymore. E-mails to them remain uanswered for several months now. I got a Ketland .62 cal fusil from them a while back, and after some woodwork & refinish, it's a showpiece & shoots fine - best frizzen of any of my flinters, and if you can still get them to ship you one, worth the price - especially if you don't mind doing minimal woodwork & finish on it. I'd be sure to get a commitment that they can ship one as soon as you pay for it, before ordering another.

Biggest problem is with Pete's "lifetime guarantee" for lock repairs, is that it takes several minutes to wear out a lock to malfunction condition, and several months to get him to return it to you. I finally surface hardened the bridle, sear and tumbler myself & it's smooth & reliable.

Another company that (IMO) has a better product is Loyalist Arms, in Canada. They ship fast, and unlike MVTC lately, they DO respond (and promptly) to e-mails. Their locks are built and hardened as they're supposed to be.

 

[FishDFly]

From watching the line at Phoenix, Pederosli has a following with line shooters.

Smooth bore pistols are a different world and a new learning experience.

I do have a flintlock pistol on order from a known place here which is way over due, will not trash the folks, but be carful from who you order from.

 

[cynthialee]

I have a Queen Anne, but it has had some work done on it the vent has been fixed, and the lock has been tuned up.
I rarely shoot it as it isn't very accurate but it can be allot of fun.

 

[larryp]

I would check out Track of the Wolf. They get in both custom and production pistols with prices ranging from modest to $$. Take your time and watch it and you'll be able to get a good pistol for a decent price. I got a brass barreled, smoothbore, flintlock pistol a few months back for a little over $800. And since it isn't a production gun it won't be just like everyone else's at the range. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/490/1
edit to add: the .45 Kentucky they have listed currently would fit the bill for a decent price.

 

[SacramentoJohnson]

Hi all!
Thank you very much for the info; will check out your suggestions!

 

[TFoley]

From watching the line at Phoenix, Pederosli has a following with line shooters.

For many years, ALL the top international BP pistol shooters using replicas are Pedersoli shooters.

First, second and third places, and so on...flint and percussion.

Must be doing something right, eh?

tac

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Like buying a Dodge at the dealership because a Nascar winner drives a dodge. Two different animals.

 

[Juice Jaws]

Zonie, what size did you drill out the vent??

 

[TFoley]

Like buying a Dodge at the dealership because a Nascar winner drives a dodge. Two different animals.

Those people of my acquaintance who shoot MLP competitively bought their Pedersoli pistols from the usual gun stores, just like I did at the time.

They are rigorously checked before shooting by MLAGB and the International Federation inspectors to ensure compliance with the words 'unmodified' in every respect. One of prize-winning pistols in the early part of the decade was my own pistol, loaned to the shooter in an emergency. The best that I could shoot was in the high-eighties - his average, over five matches, with my pistol was 97.8.

Your comment is unworthy of you, Sir.

tac

 

[zimmerstutzen]

My experience is that most top line competitor's pistols have been fine tuned and tweaked beyond the ken of normal mortals. Knew a gunsmith that "tweaked" competition revolvers for national and international competition. He actually went to the factory and chose 5 from about 300 coming off the line. Then back to his shop where they were fine tuned, stoned, polished and otherwise gone over. Springs lightened or strengthened accordingly. Hammers lightened, timing adjusted, forcing cones altered, etc. The man took me to the local range and taught me more about pistol shooting in 20 minutes than 4 years of summer LEO league competition. The pistols from the dealer are simply not the same as those that have been gone over.

 

[Zonie]

Zonie, what size did you drill out the vent??

You can't just "drill out the vent" to make the Queen Anne more reliable.

Likewise, you can't buy a off the shelf vent liner and install it because there isn't enough wall thickness for the 1/4" threads on the smallest ones.

Follow this link to read a description of what I ended up doing to my Queen Anne.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/193295/post/263703/fromsearch/1/

After reading this link about adding a vent liner, be sure to follow this link to see how well it worked.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/193300/

 

[Bill Bryan]

I've had a Pedersoli 50 cal flintlock Kentucky pistol for over 5 years and it has always shot in the black at 25 yards at my club shoots. I replaced the standard trigger with a set striker. Bill

 

[Juice Jaws]

Thank you.

 

[nightwolf1974]

I have the French 1773 from MVTC and am quite happy with it. Loads of fun, sparks like mad. At $375 it ain't a bad deal.

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BUT, do you trust it not to blow up shooting a roundball using a standard (not heavy) load?