Need Some Advice

[George Hoskins]

I purchased a parts kit for a Lancaster rifle about a year ago from a major supplier and have been slowly building on it. I am now at the stage where some decisions have to be made. After a couple of particularlly bad shoots (spark problems) with a friends borrowed flinter I am wondering if I made an error going with a "rocklock". Talking with a couple of club members one suggested to set the gun up with both ignition systems which is possible as I haven't drilled the barrell yet. Making some inquiries with the lock and vent maker about removeable touch hole liners I was strongly advised against setting up the gun with both systems. It was pointed out the danger of wearing the threads in the barrell and either having a touch hole liner or drum blow out and strike someone. My question is this: From all the vast years of experience out there has anyone ever heard of this happening. Is there a high potential for this to happen and should I steer away from setting up both systems? Any thoughts or constructive critisms on the subject. Thanks in advance for any help or insights.

 

[Woodbutcher]

Dear Greenhorn: This might be a good place for me to chime in on. Since I've probably been new at this longer than most. Flintlocks work! Even I can get 'em to go off quickly and reliably now. I suffered through my learning curve with great happiness!
I do believe that I hear what you're saying, because I been there. Please let me reassure you, you don't have hedge your bet. Indeed, it's not worth the hassle at all. Take your choice of ignition system and you'll be fine. I can say that with great confidence, cause if I can get these things to work, you sure can! Woodbutcher

 

[R.M.]

As long as you don't cross-thread the drum/flash-hole liner, you will never wear out the threads by just screwing them in and out.

 

[Zonie]

Green Horn

Just because you had the misfortune of shooting a flintlock that wasn't reliable doesn't mean you should give up on the one your building.

With some guidance from our members I am sure you will end up with a very reliable gun.

From an engineering standpoint there is no reason that changing from one system to the other should cause any more wear on the gun than one might have if they removed a percussion side drum every so often. The big thing to remember is to be vary careful about tightening the drum because it is real easy to over do it and if the drum is overtightened several times, this can weaken the threads.

As for actually building one you must install the Percussion lock and drum first.
Percussion guns must have the drum located in just the right place for the hammer to hit squarely so the tolerance for the drums location is critical.

Once the Percussion system is properly installed, replacing the drum with a vent liner with the same threads is quite easy. Getting the Flintlock to fit the same mortice is a bit more challenging because although the lockkplates are supposed to be the same there are always small differences.
The location and height of the sear arm is another thing that is never the same on two locks so this must be corrected for the two locks to be interchangeable.

The location of the lock screws is another thing that must be exactly the same on both locks and it takes a bit of planning to make this happen.

The bottom line is that I suggest that you build your flintlock and enjoy it rather than making things more complicated at this stage of your building. After you have built several rifles then think about building a convertible rifle.

 

[jerrywh]

My advise would be to go with the flintlock. You just happened to shoot one that wasn't tuned correctly. A good flintlock will not missfire as much as most percussion guns. When they do misfire it is esier to correct. I shot almost nothing but flintlocks for about 45 years and the only time they ever misfired was when I did something wrong. BUT. you have to know how to tune one. Chambers locks are about as good as any lock that was ever made. If they give trouble he will do something about it. Don't be trying to set the record for the most shots on one flint.
Like Zonie says if you try to go both ways you will get into more than you bargained for.

 

[Birddog6]

I know probably of a dozen or so rifles that were set up both ways. I don't know of anyone that changed it over 1 time. Most went to flintlock & never went back. Several things to note:

Continually removing the drum is eventually going to cause a nipple alignment issue most likely.

For a newbie, matching 2 locks to fit & both work properly in the rifle is going to be a challenge, to say the least.

You end up with a lock sitting there for years that you will not use.

Never seen a vent blow out, have seen 2 drums blow out. No injuries but only because nobody was standing there at the time. IMHO, if you build the rifle, leave it as it was built.

IMHO, a good flintlock will misfire less than the caplock. Last 5-6 matchs I was at, of the misfires that day, 9 out of 10 of them were in percussion rifles. And it is like that most of the time, so it seems. could be that batch of shooters, but seems unlikely.

IMHO, go with a Chambers flintlock if at all possible. I have used dozens of them, Jim has always been more than gracious in all our dealings & if you ever do have a lock issue, he will repair it fast & return it immediately. Also Chambers has the best warranty of any lock company I know of. Since he is the Only one giving a Lifetime Warranty , that indicates to me they are pretty confident in their products.

Keith Lisle

 

[hoochiepapa]

Thanks, Zonie! I am preparing to convert both my percussions to flint. I will print off your post to guide me.

 

[rafterob]

I believe you will discover that once you get your rifle finnished, and get through the initial learning curve, that you will have very little desire to shoot percussion. Flint is just more fun. When the time comes, read the tips for flint lock shooters at the top of the flintlock column lots of good advice to get started with.

 

[MSW]

I agree. Go with the flint. Once you get it up and running, you'll have a great time, and you'll have a rifle which is fairly reliable and a boatload of fun to shoot. The 'convertables' sound/look great on paper, but as a practical matter, you'd do better to get the flint working well and, if you really want to go to a percussion later, go ahead and do that.

I'd be willing to bet you'll loose interest in caps once you get into rocks, but that just my opinion.

In either case, good luck with your build!

 

[FPDoc]

Agree with MSW. Build it as a Rocklock. Once you start shooting it I doubt if you would ever change it back to caplock anyway. Since I began to shoot flinters I don't remember the last time I shot a caplock, I have them, I like them, I just don't pick them up when I leave the house. :idunno:

 

[m-g willy]

I agree with Zonie .
I too was a bit leary about flintlocks after getting one and not getting reliable ignition.
After getting on this site and asking questions I found out HOW TO SHOOT a flintlock.
Just ask these guys any questions and you will learn everything you need to know about shooting flintlocks.

 

[ord sgt]

Zonie,I guess that I got lucky. I bought a Pedersoli 1777 Charleyville musket. The touchole was drilled too low in relation to the pan. Many, many flashes, no boom.
Took the barrel to a machine shop and had the touchhole redrilled for a 1/4 x 28 thread liner. This raised the touchole to a point of consistant ignition.
Wanted to use the Cville for smoothbore competition, in caplock country. Bought a new Pedersoli Harpers Ferry lock, which fit the lock mortice perfectly. Got a drum and musket nipple and had a smooth caplock.
Just could not find a good powder/ball combo, as no cloth patches were allowed.