Ok, so what exactly is so wrong about a Lott lock?

[Eterry]

I was recently reading some discussion regarding the Lott lock and notice it drew heavy fire from everyone.
My question to all is; what are the deficiencies of the Lott lock, and can they be corrected? First hand experience would really be appreciated, not my brother's ex-father-in-law's cousin's next door neighbor's boss.
Thanks,

Eterry

 

[Birddog6]

well......... :hmm: He said, that She said, that They said, that You said, that I said .......... Wait a Minute ! :cursing:

You want Actual Experienced Knowledge ! :shake:
:idunno: :rotf: :rotf: Are we allowed to do that :idunno: :rotf: :rotf:

Keith Lisle

 

[Eterry]

well......... :hmm: He said, that She said, that They said, that You said, that I said .......... Wait a Minute ! :cursing:

You want Actual Experienced Knowledge ! :shake:
:idunno: :rotf: :rotf: Are we allowed to do that :idunno: :rotf: :rotf:

Keith Lisle

Yes Keith, if it's not too much to ask, someone who has used or owned one would be wonderful...thanks for making me smile after a tough night at work...
Eterry

 

[Artificer]

Britsmoothy recently wrote a series of posts on what he did to improve his Lott Lock. You may want to search for them.

Gus

 

[ZUG]

I enjoyed Birddog6's reply also -- My brother lives in Paris, TX might you be near there?

 

[44-henry]

I purchased a trade gun kit with a Lott lock some time ago. I re-sold the kit because the barrel was too short, but the lock that I had was well made, the mainspring was strong, and it sparked very well. The problems that I have most often heard with this lock involve weak mainsprings and soft frizzens. Both of these can be corrected fairly easily.

 

[B.Habermehl]

First of all not made in the USA, pedersoli makes them, expensive spare parts. Case hardened frizzen, you never know when the skin will wear through, the one I had had a ridiculously heavy main spring, bad sear geometry. This resulted in a crappy trigger even with a high pivot. Way too much work in building a gun to risk using a crappy Italian lock. RE Davis has a similar big lock that works better with no fussing around. Plus no fuss parts availability. BJH

 

[Eterry]

Guys, thanks for the info, I have a chance to get one at a very low price and wanted some first hand observations. I appreciate everyones input, even yours Kieth!!
:wink:
Eterry

 

[Eterry]

Hey Zug, my dad lives two hours west of Paris and I've hunted around there several times. The Caddo National Grasslands has a 17000 acre unit near there and its like stepping back in time. Massive timber, lots of creeks and streams. If your brother hunts he should definately check it out.
Eterry
Ps. They do a lot of hog hunting there, and plenty of big deer also.
et

 

[Roy]

I built a gun with one of them once.. I remember that I had to do a good bit to get it "right".. wish I would have taken notes lol..

 

[faste350]

been using one for 25 years. hardened the frizzen and did some fine tuning on it was all. the gun has been fired alot. its been a good lock for me.

 

[B.Habermehl]

The one I had, the frizzed lasted maybe 100 shots then I had to case harden it. It quit like turning off a light switch. Yes I had it tuned up and working well at this point. But for a first time builder I would never recommend it. Plus dealing with offshore parts availability. YEECH! BJH

 

[rich pierce]

A weak mainspring gives 2 choices. One, you can heat to forging temp and spread it further, then re-harden and temper, but it's always going to be under more strain than a spring of proper beefiness. Two, forge a new one of proper thickness and width. But don't expect to get a good spring if it's your first one. My sequence is to start with longer stock and taper it properly. I leave a wide tab where the pin that goes through the lock will be to give me leeway. Then I get the bend right, then shorten the upper arm to the correct length, then get the working arm length right, then get the hook well made, then spread the arms appropriately with enough curve to the lower limb. Last is to locate the pin and file that to size.

Look at the mainsprings on well working locks of similar size to see how thick the arms are, how wide, how wide the spread is when released, how low the working arm is below the lock plate when released, how nicely the tip of the working arm rests on the toe of the tumbler,etc. It's complicated.

Then there is the hardening and tempering and balancing the strength of main and frizzen springs. I'd not make a pair of springs for a lock with fitting and finishing for under $100.

 

[Eterry]

Thanks all for the help...it looks like three negative and two positive reviews...I bought a can of kasenite before it was taken from the market...maybe I'll have to research re hardening the frizzen.
Thanks again,
Eterry

 

[rich pierce]

Good luck! They varied quite a bit lock to lock. Hope you got a good one and it works great for you.

 

[faste350]

Thanks all for the help...it looks like three negative and two positive reviews...I bought a can of kasenite before it was taken from the market...maybe I'll have to research re hardening the frizzen.
Thanks again,
Eterry

thats what i hardened mine with 25 years ago, still sparks like crazy.