My rifle, my wife!

[John Scott Hurt]

I'm fairly new to the forum, read a lot but post little.

In 1982 as a E-3 in the Navy making a whopping $600 a month, I purchased a new Dixie Gun Works .32 percussion Tn Squirrel Rifle for $250.

Last month I bought a used flintlock and swapped her over, wishing now I had done this years ago. What a difference and what fun!

I was having issues with the frizzen opening all the way and ignition was not very consistent. Through researching this site and a couple others I found valuable information that allowed me to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Thanks to everyone who takes time to post helpful ideas and thoughts.

I'm not sure what fixed the problem, polishing the cam and frizzen spring, type of flint, flint position, removing just a little from frizzen cam, changing pan charge to slightly more? I did all these and now it is ready for the squirrel woods with full confidence!

Like my wife, my rifle is special, challenging, loads of fun, and a lifelong friend who I wouldn't trade for anything!

 

[dave61965]

Glad you got your rifle going, maybe i'll see ya in bills again soon n we can talk rifles.

 

[Ken Cormier]

O no. Another rock locker. I have been shooting a flintlock for over 30 years I know how you feel LOL. Enjoy your new flint gunne..

 

[don hepler]

When you install a flint, and everything is working good, take note of the position of the flint, how it's setting in the jaw, how close is sets to the frizzen at half ****, etc. Then develop a routine, wipe the pan, the frizzen, and the flint, after each shot, with a clean rag. Keep a check on the tightness of the flint, they will work loose. Even if the rifle is firing, then see how long, the flint is lasting. Just hitting and sparking, is not good enough. For reliable and long life, the flint must be set at the optimal angle. This angle can vary from lock to lock, due to the height and angle of the ****, and the angle and position of the frizzen. I think of the old straight razor, and the angle it would have to be to shave, and that is the way the flint must "shave" metal from the frizzen.
Sounds like you're well on the way to figuring it out on your own. I shot yesterday, and after 10 shots, I did not have a FTF (fail to fire), or a hang fire, but on the last shot, the flint flew out of the rifle. I got complacent and didn't check the tightness of the flint. Good Luck.

 

[John Scott Hurt]

Thanks for the comments and advice. Went to the range today and established a routine of placing pick in vent hole, loading powder,patch, ball, wiping pan and frizzen, removing pick, priming pan and shooting. Post shot routine, brush pan and frizzen and reload.

Changed from 15 to 20 grains and spit lubed pillow ticking instead of olive oil. Twenty shots with zero issues and the best accuracy to date. Feeling more confident than ever!

Introduced a couple children and their parent to flintlocks, they thought they were cool and impressed that I chose to hunt with it instead of modern weapons. The kids like the pan ignition most of all.

 

[Alden]

And like my girlfriends have all been, each of my many guns are similarly special. What's the old saying: more than I need but not as many as I want?

 

[ohio ramrod]

I got a new gun for my wife. It was the best trade I ever made! :bow: :bow:

 

[smo]

Lol :haha: :rotf:

 

[CG6018]

I fully expect to see a future post of yours stating that an additional flinter or two have been added to your collection. :grin: As with any addiction, having just one doesn't seem to be possible! :hmm:

Best wishes for successful outings for limb bacon this season. :thumbsup:

 

[bpd303]

Just about every time I pick up a new flintlock, my wife says "Oh I like that". So far she has laid title to a .45 Pedersoli Pennsylvania Dixie model, a pair of Tower Sea Service pistols and a CVA .45 caliber Kentucky. When I picked up the double barrel 16 gauge flintlock made by J.T. Phillips, I could see the glint in her eye, so I'm looking for another. :wink:

 

[Mickc01]

I got a new gun for my wife. It was the best trade I ever made! :bow: :bow:

:rotf: :rotf:

 

[MSW]

[insert 'mad scientist' laugh here]
BWAHAHAHA!! another one turned to the dark side...

to paraphrase the little green fellow in the movie; once rocks banged have you, forever will they dominate your range time.

make good smoke!

 

[Col. Batguano]

Doubles in flint are few and far between. Expensive too. Nice going.