Mass produced flintlocks

[nkbj]

Traditions Deerhunter that seldom fails to go bang.
Go figger.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

With a flint lock (the lock alone) the quality of same is in direct proportion to the cost of the lock.

 

[smoothshooter]

Are the the older lyman flintlocks reliable? Or is it a hit or miss scenario? I was watching a blackpowder channel on you tube and the guy on there was saying that if you wanted flintlock, you needed to go the custom route to get reliability. Is this the norm?

Go to the Track of the Wolf, or L & R Locks websites and see which factory guns they have quality replacement locks for, and pick your factory gun accordingly.
That way if the mass-produced imported flint lock is a dud, you can upgrade easily with an L & R lock.
I think the nomenclature/part numbers for the replacement locks begin with the capitalized “ RPL “ letters.

 

[Mike in FL]

If you're going to go the Lyman route pick up an Investarm made one or find an Investarm dealer and buy one, they still sell the rifles they made for Lyman under their own models. I have a Pedersoli made GPR flint and hate the lock on the thing. I also haven't been able to find an aftermarket replacement for it so it just sits in the safe.

My experience with the Lyman/Pedersoli has been the opposite. The first outing showed poor ignition. I replaced the flash hole liner with one comes on the I side and I comes it on the outside just a tad, then opened the hole to 1/16th. Now ignition is plenty fast and p!entry reliable if I keep the hole clean. A correct size flint is also a must.

 

[SOLANCO]

Probably more issues arise from the users of flint locks than do from the makers of same. Shaping the flints. Mounting them in the hammers. If it don't spark it won't bark. No matter who made it.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Double post or something.

 

[Colonial Boy]

I have a Pedersoli made GPR flint and hate the lock on the thing. I also haven't been able to find an aftermarket replacement for it so it just sits in the safe.

I see what you mean, maybe you could bend a little dog leg in them cock?

[not a serious suggestion]

 

[user 34300]

Another option is a TC flint hawken. The shoot about as reliably as any.

I had an early one, with the gooseneck cock, it was a miserable piece of junk. I have read the later ones with the ugly cock were better. TC has been out of production for decades. Some people see them at collectable. Rifles in good condition are expensive for what you get.

I have several Kibler rifles. All of the locks are excellent. Works of art really, compared to the mass market cast parts locks. On my SMRs the flints last until they are worn down to the nub. I sharpen them in the lock every 50 shots or so.

 

[Psycho Mike]

In terms of overall quality, the Lymans are pretty good. I had a Plains (not the Great Plains) that was as old as I was (cap and ball, though) and it was a tack driver, pretty to look at and reliable.

I know a good number of folks here that swear by the GPR. However, that being said, mass produced flintlock locks can be hit or miss. Some of those same folks who swore by the GPR in cap and ball, didn't have the same positive feelings about the flinter version due to spark issues. If you get a good one, they are great, but if not.... caveat emptor, I guess.