Pedersoli or Lyman

[iwuzwhatiwuz]

Hey guys, long time lurker, first time poster. I'm looking to get my first flintlock and am debating between a Lyman Trade or Great Plains rifle or a Pedersoli Kentucky rifle. I know that neither is a custom rifle with a Jim Chambers lock, but which maker produces the best production rifle? Thanks! :grin:

 

[Matt85]

depends on what you want, full stock or half stock and what style. i think both Lyman and Pedersoli locks are about equal when it comes to quality. the Lyman GPR is one of the most popular starter production flintlocks out there. its also cheaper then the Pedersoli equivolent.

-matt

 

[Mr.D123]

I'm no expert. But I can tell you I've been wanting a Kentucky LR for quite sometime. Why didn't I get it since day one? I don't know. I opted for the Lyman Trade. The brass is a bit much. I've been trying to find steel furniture for it. If I could have a do over, I would've went with the GPR over the trade. I've read alot more positives than I had the trade. Mainly because I can't come across a wealth of info from other owners. I had to "upgrade" the vent with one from RMC. ZERO pan flashes since then.
It shoots well if I continue to do my part.

 

[Lonegun1894]

I can't speak for the Pedersoli nit having shot one. As to the Lyman TR and GPR, both use the same lock, so that should be equal. The GPR has more drop in the stock and is slightly heavier due to the extra 4" of barrel, but may balance better in spite of it, depending on your build. I prefer the GPR over the TR, but that is purely a personal preference. The TR stock is proportioned like the CVA and TC "hawken", so more of a modern stock shape than the GPR. Best advice I can give is to shoulder all the guns you're considering to check for fit, and go with what's most comfortable. Then there is the historical accuracy and such, but others know much more about that that I do and I'm sure they will be along shortly.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

I had a 50 cal. GPR, and have since sold it. To me it was a bit heavy for all day hunting, so I went with the lighter Ped. Kentucky Rifle in 50 cal. I also at one time had a Pedersoli Frontier in 50 cal.

Both the Pedersoli Kentucky and Frontier rifles are as reliable as any I have owned. The Ky. is @ 5" shorter (50") than the Frontier (@54-55") if that makes a difference to you.

The Kentucky has a smaller pistol size lock on it, whereas the Frontier has a large Hatfield style lock. Not a true Hatfield lock, because the Pedersoli has the mainspring tip pinned to the tumbler. The Hatfield and others like Silers and Ketlands have the mainspring tip sitting on the notch. Not sure why they pinned it, unless it is more to protect the mainspring, or something dealing with leverage. Maybe the pins shear, saving the mainspring?? Who knows?

 

[rfdr]

i have flintlocks in both a pedersoli full stock .45 kentucky and a lyman half stock .50 trade. there are significant differences to be found 'tween them, both functional and aesthetic.

imho, for a newbie to ml rock locks, the better overall value is probably had in the lyman trade - almost half the cost of the pedersoli, and the barrel is single keyed for almost instant and easy removal.

both are fine shooting rifles of italian make. take your time, bone up on the facts of both the pedersoli and lyman offerings ... and then choose what offers the most of what you think you require. good luck, good shootin'!

 

[BrownBear]

I have guns from both, and this is how it boils down for me:

More styles to pick from at Pedersoli, but the Lymans have drop-in barrels that are easy to remove for cleaning. Not a big deal to some folks, but I like that.

As for build quality and accuracy, mine are comparable.

 

[tenngun]

Both are good low price(sic)muzzleloaders.The gpr has a good hawkin style.That said flintlock halfstock rifles were few and far between.You cant get an historical reproduction unless you do it your self or get a custom.On the other hand the"P" is more traditional looking and in times to come you may be happier with that. :hmm:

 

[Billnpatti]

Given those choices from which to select, my choice would be the GPR. They are fine rifles and are, to the best of my knowledge, all American made. I have owned a couple of them and they are fine shooters. In addition, they are probably the most historically accurate reproduction on the market. Go for the GPR.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

I dont believe Lyman rifles are American made, they are also Italian, made by Investarms.

 

[Mr.D123]

The barrels are for sure. Cant speak about the stock. Well made though.

 

[iwuzwhatiwuz]

DGW Hawken Kit

How are these Dixie Gun Works Hawken Kits? I think I'm going to go the kit route due to the fact that the GPR is out of my price range otherwise. I want to go with a .50 cal instead of .54 so my lead will go father. I have a Lee production pot and cast balls for my Remington New Armys (one original and one Pietta) so I plan on casting balls for my rock lock. Thanks again!

 

[BrownBear]

Buddy of mine built one and it looks and shoots great. He's not all that skilled with his hands, but I don't recall him having any complaints about problems.

 

[nmdd]

My first rifle kit was a Dixie Hawken(Ivestarms)...







First trip to the range...


:thumbsup:

 

[iwuzwhatiwuz]

Beautiful rifle! Is the lock the same as the Lyman rifles?

 

[nmdd]

I believe it is... :hatsoff:

 

[cowpoke1955]

Welcome to the forum :hatsoff: I bought my .54 GPR percussion almost 35 years ago and never had a problem with it. Loved it so much, my wife bought me a .54 GPR flint kit when I retired. Both rifles are very accurate out to 100 yards with patched round balls. I bought a .54 Trade Rifle last year to use in a blind, since it is shorter and lighter than the GPR. The .54s are lighter than the .50s due to the larger bore. As mentioned, Lymen are made by Investarms and are 100% Italian. I don't have a Pedersoli Kentucky, but my wife bought me a .45 Pedersoli Blue Ridge/Frontier flinter about 20 years ago when I was shooting in a lot of matches. My Pedersoli is equal to my Lymans in quality and accuracy. Each of these rifles have thier own feel. Best bet is to try to find each and see how it fits you. You have picked some fine rifles for your list. I would not feel under gunned with any of them in the field. Good luck and let us know which one you pick :thumbsup:

 

[iwuzwhatiwuz]

I called Dixie and all of the Investarms flints use the same lock.

 

[iwuzwhatiwuz]

However! Dixie is out of stock of the Hawken kits and doesn't know when more will be in. Over in the classifieds is a .40cal Pedersoli for sale. I'm sorely tempted to buy it. But it seems that the Lymans/Investarms are thought of more highly than the Pedersoli. AHHH!I'm in torture here!

 

[tbarnes66]

Being from KY and close to Dixie Gun Works, my first purchase was the Pedersoli KY rifle kit in .50 cal and matching pistol. Both were good introductions to flintlocks and building in general plus the folks at Dixie are such a pleasure to work with.

I was very pleased with the accuracy and took a nice deer the first season with it.