New to flintlocks looking for suggestions

[dynabase]

I am looking for a good reliable left handed flintlock. I can't afford a custom gun so it will need to be an "off the rack" model. I like the Hawken style but I am open to any suggestions. I am not a reenactor. I want to go to flintlock because it is so hard to find caps these days. I have the same attitude the mountain men had in that I want something that I can count on. I have heard pro and con about all of the different manufacturers and I just don't know what to believe anymore. I figure the people on this forum can cut through the fog and provide the voice of experience to my questions. I am probably only going to do this once and I want to get it right.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kje54]

I am looking for a good reliable left handed flintlock. I can't afford a custom gun so it will need to be an "off the rack" model. I like the Hawken style but I am open to any suggestions. I am not a reenactor. I want to go to flintlock because it is so hard to find caps these days. I have the same attitude the mountain men had in that I want something that I can count on. I have heard pro and con about all of the different manufacturers and I just don't know what to believe anymore. I figure the people on this forum can cut through the fog and provide the voice of experience to my questions. I am probably only going to do this once and I want to get it right.

Thanks in advance.

Hello and welcome to the forum. To start out with there have been some lefties posted for sale here so you might want to check out the for sale section. Otherwise you might go with a left handed Investarms or a Lyman Signature Series. The Lyman, if you can find it left handed will run around $900 the Investarms at $625, Dixie Gun Works has them in stock. There are others but I really know nothing about them, I'm sure others will chime in soon. Good luck with your search.

 

[kje54]

I just noticed the Gun Works Muzzleloading Emporium (Oregon) has left handed Lyman Great Plains Rifles (flintlock) in stock for $710.

 

[excess650]

In the classifieds above, there is a LH Dixie Tn Mtn rifle. They are excellent shooters! I bought one new back around 1980 and sold or traded it later and regretted it. I found another about 20 years ago, and its standing here now. This one has been shot a fair amount, is easy on flints and quick ignition. With the long barrel, they are a little muzzle heavy, but my go to gun for offhand work.

 

[billraby]

Maybe think of building one.

 

[ZUG]

Finding a GOOD non-custom left handed rifle might be a bit tough to find at a decent price at the moment. Try looking at the used market. For me the two most important factors for a used gun are barrel condition and lock function. There are replacement locks from the top lock makers that will interchange with some of the commercial made guns which is a good thing but it is an added price to your initial investment.

My brother is a leftie and lives in TX. He has a hard time finding left handed flint guns. I have made him 4 custom rifles that he shoots very well. I have made these rifles from walnut and maple planks to his specifications and only charged him for the parts - he is a lucky guy

to have me for a brother .

 

[Sidney Smith]

Lyman Great Plains rifle. Probably the best quality "factory" produced gun out there. They're not going set you back what a semi custom or custom gun would cost you.

 

[Jakeytoo]

In the classifieds above, there is a LH Dixie Tn Mtn rifle. They are excellent shooters! I bought one new back around 1980 and sold or traded it later and regretted it. I found another about 20 years ago, and its standing here now. This one has been shot a fair amount, is easy on flints and quick ignition. With the long barrel, they are a little muzzle heavy, but my go to gun for offhand work.

I still have mine, LH serial #137. My first flint, wife and daughter got me for an early Christmas present. We had an inter-club shoot that weekend, I didn’t use it for the competition, I used my cheapo cap lock kit.

After the match was over, anyone wanting to stick around for some fun after the sun went down was welcome to. Candle snuffing at 25 yds, my very 1st time firing Dixie, beating better shooters with caplocks, and that day was the last time I fired that old percussion kit.

You mentioned muzzle heavy, I found that it made for good sight control being that heavy but terrible in a cross wind and one place I shot a lot was windy quite a bit. I had her shortened a little bit, no effect on accuracy.

Like the idiot I am, I passed up another one at a flea marketba couple of years ago for $175, I remember the price that’s why I still kick myself.

EDIT: Wow ! After seeing the asking price for the one in the classifieds, I’m really pissed at myself !

 

[Daryl Crawford]

Be patience personified and hunt a used one. Investarm is good as a hunting rifle and you can find some that have been upgraded by previous owners.
T/C has some fine shooters in your preferred styleas well. Take your time and you'll find one.
Heck, posted a wanted add, you never know what you will scare up.

 

[dynabase]

I just noticed the Gun Works Muzzleloading Emporium (Oregon) has left handed Lyman Great Plains Rifles (flintlock) in stock for $710.

Thank you for the info. I just ordered one from them. I got a LH flint in 54 cal. Can't wait to try it out. I was debating between a 50 and a 54. The 50 is more common but since we have moose and elk and bears around here I thought the 54 might be a better choice.

 

[kje54]

Thank you for the info. I just ordered one from them. I got a LH flint in 54 cal. Can't wait to try it out. I was debating between a 50 and a 54. The 50 is more common but since we have moose and elk and bears around here I thought the 54 might be a better choice.

Glad you found what you were looking for, hope it works out well for you.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

You'll love .54! I have a T/C in 54 that is a tack driver. Good stopping power on patched round ball.

 

[Sidney Smith]

I've got two left handed .54 caliber rifles. One is a GPR, the other a TVM Lancaster. I love the .54 caliber. Deer hit with the big roundball usually don't go far. I hit one two years ago that dropped in its tracks.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Do practice so you can place the ball where it needs to impact. I am sure @Sidney Smith put that 54 caliber ball right in the vitals of that deer. Little wonder it was dead right there.

 

[user 48679]

Thank you for the info. I just ordered one from them. I got a LH flint in 54 cal. Can't wait to try it out. I was debating between a 50 and a 54. The 50 is more common but since we have moose and elk and bears around here I thought the 54 might be a better choice.

You'll like that .54, especially since a .54 is lighter to tote around than a .50 (given the same barrel thickness); and the .54 will do better than a .50 on larger game (even with a PRB).