well, let me tell you what i just did :hmm: . lyman is selling "reconditioned" flintlock deerstalkers on their webpage. i contacted lyman about what "reconditioned" means, and they responded that it only means that the rifles have some cosmetic blemishes. the rifles carry the same factory warranty as other lyman rifles (which is only 1 year, btw). the price is $230 for a lefty and $220 for a righty. .50 caliber only.
i ordered one of the lefty's. i decided that this is probably the cheapest decent-quality left-handed flintlock rifle that i am going to be able to find that is in like-new condition. cosmetics don't bother me, i'm just worried about lock function and bore quality. you can always refinish a barrel and/or stock.
the deerstalker is SIMILAR, though not the same as a renegade. it has a 2" shorter barrel (24" vs. 26"), and a cheekpiece (no cheekpiece on the renegade (but there is one on the hawken)). i think it also has a recoil pad, which some folks will find more or less desirable (not sure what i think yet).
i will post some pictures of this rifle when it gets here, but i think it will do quite nicely. its probably the cheapest way that i can decide if i like flintlocks or not. :grin: i would have preferred .54 caliber, but that price is a little hard to pass up.
anyone else who's thinking about trying a flintock might oughtta give these rifles a look.
