This year I decided to use my T/C flinter while shooting in the Muzzle Blasts magazine postal match. Last year I fired a replica 1861 Springfield Musket.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I have always had ignition problems with the T/C flintlock. I am a relative novice to flinters.
After following the many suggestions I have read on this forum, I was pleased to have about 80% ignition. I now this isn't good enough, but its much better then my previous efforts.
I plan to keep at it. There is something very satisfying about a flinter when it fires.
Ignition failures usually fall into three categories:
The lock itself, the components used like flints, flint leather, powder, etc, and the cleaning & preparation steps necessary to keep it functioning correctly before each shot is attempted;
IMO, the lock has to be established as completely trouble free before even bothering with the other variables, and in the case of TC Flintlocks, I'd suggest you determine if you have their old style lock, or the new style redesigned lock.
The old or early style had some reliability problems and TC has redesigned it so it's now 100%reliable...significantly redesigned the hammer and frizzen.
If you have the old style lock, I'd suggest mailing it directly to TC's service manager Tim Pancurak with a memo explaining the lack of reliability and asking him to do whatever he can to make it more reliable so you can use it...(don't call the customer service department first, just mail it directly to Tim).
You'll either get the lock back with new parts installed or an entire new lock assembly at no charge under lifetime warranty...they've done it both ways for me on several occasions...several others on these message boards have followed suit with the same results.
Then, once you know the lock is solid, you can concentrate all your efforts on components and procedures...an outstanding combination of components in my TC flintlocks is Goex 3F and 3/4" black english flints.
PS:
In addition to the redesigned lock improving ignition reliability...TC also redesigned their vent liner which significantly improves ignition speed...suggest you replace that as well.
80% ignition is a very poor reliability factor...there should never be any doubt that the flintlock will fire 100% of the time...if it doesn't, it should only happen as a very rare surprising failure that occurs maybe once during an entire range session...and that should never be from the lock...it'll be something like a cleaning step was forgotten, or a flint's edge was allowed to get dull, etc.
:m2c:
:haha:
