Pedersoli flintlock not cocking

[Toppkatt]

I have a brand new Pedersoli .32 flint lock squirrel rifle. I took it out to the range yesterday for the first time. First thing I did was make sure I had decent sparks. Then I primed the pan and made sure that went off. Next I loaded it. I used 0.310 swagged round ball ( # 1 1/2 buckshot from Ballistic Products), 30 Gr 3F Swiss and a 0.015 patch pre-lubed Ox-yore(?) . (The groove diameter was measured at 0.325). The first shot went off after 2 tries, main charge didn't ignite at first (maybe I didn't have the powder correctly at the opening of the touch hole (vent hole?) (I've only ever fired a flintlock one other time for a total of two shots previously, so I'm not experienced). Re-primed the pan and BOOM. Okay now, the shot was about 6 inches low at 25 yards and 3 inches to the right. That's okay I'm only shooting for function and group right now. Reloaded it with same load and it went BOOM again and the hole was about 1 inch to the left of the first hole and about 1/2 inch lower. Feeling good about this now . Unfortunately, when I fired the shot it seemed to me the trigger was a bit lighter than it was for the first shot, hum. Reloaded and the trigger wouldn't stay at full cock. It kept falling to half cock position. I took out the lock screws and didn't see anything wrong. The fly seemed loose and functioning fine. I reinstalled the lock and this time it fired okay but I did have to re-prime the pan several times, again I'm NOT an experienced flint lock user so I wasn't upset too much just a bit aggravated at myself. This shot was way low and centered but off the target paper. I reloaded a fourth shot and had the same issue with the lock not holding full cock. Repeated the same process. Didn't see any dirt or anything in the lock that would seem to indicate what was going wrong. Reinstalled lock again and now I just could not get it to fire. I re-primed about 6 times making sure I have the powder was up to the touch hole but no dice. I took my ramrod and verified there seemed to be loaded, sticking out further than unloaded mark. Just to make sure I hadn't 'dry balled' I pulled out the lock AGAIN, and removed the vent hold 'plug'. Sure enough there was powder there. I used a vent pick to make sure the hole was open (which it seemed to be) and re-primed. After two more attempts to discharge it went off and the shot was touching the first hold so other than the third shot not a bad group for the first time shooting this rifle and only my second time shooting a flint lock. At this point though I was NOT going to press my luck and went home.
So, does anyone have any ideas/suggestions as to what to look for of do to make this lock more reliable and safe?
THANKS!

 

[Phil Coffins]

The first thing to do is make the unloaded rifle functions correctly. Holding full cock and releasing safely is critical. Look the lock over out of the rifle. It should work in a predictable fashion, are the screws tight, are the engagement of the sear positive? Does your rifle have set triggers and are they working crisply. After these are done look for how the lock and trigger are mounted in the wood. Don’t start cutting or filing unless you know where and how the issue is.

 

[BoomStick]

Check the lock mortise. Somewhere the lock may be contacting wood and binding things up.
And as a tip: Don't over tighten the lock screw -snug is all that you need.

 

[Toppkatt]

The lock seems to be tight and I did not see any evidence of any moving part dragging on the stock. Thanks.

 

[Toppkatt]

Check the lock mortise. Somewhere the lock may be contacting wood and binding things up.
And as a tip: Don't over tighten the lock screw -snug is all that you need.

I'll make sure 'snug is the policy' but I didn't think I was being a gorilla

 

[BoomStick]

When you're testing operation of the lock, make sure there's a flint or little block of wood in the jaw and close the frizzen. Dry firing the cock repeatedly on an open frizzen can bend the top jaw screw.

 

[Toppkatt]

When you're testing operation of the lock, make sure there's a flint or little block of wood in the jaw and close the frizzen. Dry firing the cock repeatedly on an open frizzen can bend the top jaw screw.

Thanks. I've always had a flint inserted held with a lead strip holding it in the jaws. Never thought of using a wood 'chip'...

 

[BoomStick]

The lock seems to be tight and I did not see any evidence of any moving part dragging on the stock. Thanks.

You may need to apply something to the high parts of the lock and press into the mortise for transfer.

Did the gun come with a lead for the flint? That's not usually used unless a bigger military lock, like on a Bess. It adds weight to the cock which isn't recommended on most locks.

 

[Toppkatt]

You may need to apply something to the high parts of the lock and press into the mortise for transfer.

Did the gun come with a lead for the flint? That's not usually used unless a bigger military lock, like on a Bess. It adds weight to the cock which isn't recommended on most locks.

That's how it came.

 

[Grimord]

I would check the set trigger adjustment screw located between the two triggers. I like to start off with the screw about 1/2 way out and gradually (1/2 turn at a time) adjust the screw out or in until the trigger has the let off that I want. If the screw is all the way in, the cock will not hold at full cock.