R.E. Davis and L & R

[Eric M]

How do these two companies compare in quality?

 

[MSW]

'bout the same, in my limited experience, but i'd go with Jim Chambers deluxe large Siler if given the choice.

just one guy's free opinion, and doubtless well worth the price!

 

[jdkerstetter]

Expect to do some tuning and other work on either one of these companies locks you invest in. You might get lucky but...

I too go with Chambers unless a particular build absolutely can not be accomplished with one of their locks profiles and that is a rare thing on the typical longrifle. Chambers' quality, warranty and customer service is second to none.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Eric M]

I am interested in it for a hawken build.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Then I would likely go with the L&R lock and matching Hawken breech. You don't have as much to worry about on percussion locks as you do on flintlocks.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[rich pierce]

+1 on JD's responses

 

[Eric M]

Any reason for the preference of LR over Davis?

 

[jdkerstetter]

Any reason for the preference of LR over Davis?

In this case it's because the L&R is available precut for their breech. I don't know that Davis offers a Hawken breech.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Rifleman1776]

That is an ongoing debate here. My L&R 'Classic' is one of the finest locks I have ever seen. And, I have had Silers and Haddaways.
My Davis lock is one of the sorriest I have ever seen or used. And, I have had CVAs and other low-low cost imports. It is right down there with the worst of them. And the one I ended up with was the best of five in a long-long exchange of calls, letters and locks with the Davis company, including an "upgrade" cock/hammer.
Never owned a Chambers but their reputation is very good.
Others will give opposite views on the Davis vs. L&R debate.

 

[Herb]

Muzzleloader Builder's Supply, Aberdeen, Idaho has Davis Hawken percussion locks both cut for snail and uncut. I bought both styles from them when I visited them last summer. I have to cut for my own snail in a Bridger Hawken I am building. I also have on hand a new L&R Hawken lock, and it has the same hammer as the Davis locks, though Track's catalog shows a different hammer on it. I like both locks and would have to research my builder's notes on maybe a dozen Hawkens I've built to see if there were lock problems with either brand. I am about to cut my Davis lock plate for the snail and will keep notes and photos of the process and eventually do a tutorial on it.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Thanks Herb. I will defer to you on Hawken building knowledge.

I knew the Davis was available with and without the cut, as is the L&R, but didn't know whether or not it fit the L&R Hawken Breech.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Rifleman1776]

The question was about quality, not style.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Yep, I know. But the fact the he's building a percussion Hawken is a relevant factor in his choice of locks. Enjoy, J.D.