Small Siler

[bads1buell]

Thinking about buying a 50cal with a 36" green mtn. barrel and a small Siler lock. Will this have enough spark to fire quickly. The rifle is new and never even been spark tested. If anyone has a small Siler on a 50 cal I would like to hear what you think about it.

 

[thewho66]

The lock size should work fine its overall appearance that most people will have a problem with. Does the rifle look right with a small siler? The small siler is normally used as a pistol lock or for a very slender rifle. So for function it should work fine.

 

[longrifle78]

I'v had small silers on 2 guns, they were both very fast and reliable.

 

[bads1buell]

The lock is on an Applachian stock by Cains outdoor's. The stock is a 7/8 channel and set up for a small Siler.

 

[ian45662]

I have a small siler on my 45 and it is fast. I think touch hole placement will have alot to do with the speed of ignition.

 

[Birddog6]

Yes, they are fast. They just did a speed test on my small Siler lock & on a 10 shot test mine averaged right at .0400 of a second.

I don't think the speed of the lock is an issue, the looks of it on that rifle will be what you have to decide on. Most of them I see now with small Silers are on a "A" weight swamped barrel or on a 13/16" barrel.

:thumbsup:

 

[hanshi]

I have two small Siler flint locks; one is on a pistol and the other is on a slender Southern .36 with a 3/4"x38" barrel. It looks great on the small Southern but I prefer the large Siler on full size rifles.

 

[nchawkeye]

This came up last week in the Builders Forum...As I stated then, the flintlock that I built in 1988 has a small Siler on it...It is a .54 caliber and a inch and a sixteenth barrel at the breech...The gun functions just fine and I have used it for deer and competition shooting since I made it...

If my memory serves me correctly, the gentleman that halped me get my parts together back then recommended the small Siler over the large because of speed and the smaller hammer is lighter so the rifle shouldn't move as much during the fall of the hammer, helping in accuracy...

Now, dangifino if this is true...I also have a large Siler on another rifle and both work just fine...

We must remember that there were many restocks and guns made from parts from other guns back in the day...If a gunsmith had a smaller lock and a customer waiting then why wouldn't he use what he had???

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I have a small Siler on a 20 gauge pistol and it fires very quickly indeed! It's easy on flints too. It's one of the bronze or brass ones and is very pretty.

 

[MSW]

i agree. if you think the rifle looks good, go for it... the lock will serve you well.