I am just getting into traditional ML's I have been hunting with inlines for over 15 years. I currently have two percussion's but the Flintlocks intrigue me. It seems like they have a large following and the rifles bring a premium. So what is the allure to them??
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Talk me into a Flintlock
- Thread starter BobinIL
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You'll always wonder about them until you own one.
You'll also wish you owned one next time caps are in short supply.
You'll also wish you owned one next time caps are in short supply.
So, say you're going to go plinking. You've done it before, no big deal, right? Well, use technology that's more than 200 years old and hit an 8 oz pop can at 50 yards...it becomes a bigger deal. As a hunter the same could be said for killing a game animal; it's a little harder and so it's worth more.
Seriously, there is nothing more gratifying as a long time shooter than taking a step back in time with a good day at the range with a flintlock. It is a challenge starting out, and takes a lot of discipline even once you've got the hang of it. That's part of why it's fun. There's a lot of work that goes into taking a good shot.
Plus...man...hearing that crack and seeing the fire in front of your face...nothing like it. Be warned that you may find yourself in funny clothes shortly after taking the plunge. You won't regret it though.
Seriously, there is nothing more gratifying as a long time shooter than taking a step back in time with a good day at the range with a flintlock. It is a challenge starting out, and takes a lot of discipline even once you've got the hang of it. That's part of why it's fun. There's a lot of work that goes into taking a good shot.
Plus...man...hearing that crack and seeing the fire in front of your face...nothing like it. Be warned that you may find yourself in funny clothes shortly after taking the plunge. You won't regret it though.
Using 200 year old technology is a reason unto itself. There is something about a flintlock that just can't be explained to someone that doesn't own or use one. But a good reason is if there is another shortage of percussion caps. With a flintlock you can get get flints even if you have to literally make your own.
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FUN pleasure challenge an did i mention fun?BobinIL said:
Got my first one earlier this year. I originally wanted a cap lock but a friend (and Melanie, for TVM) convinced me to buy a flintlock. It's more fun to shoot and equally accurate once you conquer the flinch.
I'll never regret buying one. If I buy another ML rifle, it will be a flintlock.
A side benefit is they look a WHOLE lot better hanging above your fireplace. Inlines are for people interested in inflatable sex toys.
I'll never regret buying one. If I buy another ML rifle, it will be a flintlock.
A side benefit is they look a WHOLE lot better hanging above your fireplace. Inlines are for people interested in inflatable sex toys.
Most that get in to muzzle loading like fiddling with stuff. Maybe you got an inline because it gave you an extra deer season. However you found the fun of pushing pyrodex pills and saboteurs bullets not as exciting as it once was. Now you moved to percusion
Going traditional in percusion gives you a world of fun. There is a never ending adventure learning to get the most you want from your gun in all conditions you demand it to preform.
A flintlock is just another step on the ladder. It's a whole host of new stuff to mess with.
Some stay with caps because that's what works for them. Some go on to wheel locks and match locks. It's just a new door to walk through.
You just expressing an interest means the creature already has a tantgle around your ankle.
Going traditional in percusion gives you a world of fun. There is a never ending adventure learning to get the most you want from your gun in all conditions you demand it to preform.
A flintlock is just another step on the ladder. It's a whole host of new stuff to mess with.
Some stay with caps because that's what works for them. Some go on to wheel locks and match locks. It's just a new door to walk through.
You just expressing an interest means the creature already has a tantgle around your ankle.
I recently got an Early Lancaster flintlock from TVM. Fun would be an understatement. It's my first & I'm hooked.
It can't be defined.
My first rifle was a flinter just because it seemed like the right thing to do.
Now, if I shoot a percussion I feel like I'm being naughty.
"Whats the allure?" :hmm:
So far the answers you have gotten hit on a few of the reasons shooting a flintlock is attractive.
History:
The flintlock was the culmination of many different approaches to getting a gun to fire when the shooter wanted it to.
It was "the best" for over 300 years. From about 1530 thru 1830 the flintlock proved its worth, successively serving army's, pirates, explorers, hunters, trappers and settlers.
Even when the percussion cap ignition began to replace the flintlock the flintlock never totally lost favor among shooters because although the percussion system reduced the flintlocks weakness to wind and water and a small gain in ignition speed that didn't totally offset the difficulties of obtaining caps.
Satisfaction:
There is no denying the fact that the flintlock system is more demanding.
Using a rock and a piece of steel to light the black powder in the pan requires a good lock (and a little luck).
While just about anything that can pound a percussion cap will work to fire a percussion gun, a flintlock needs a cock and frizzen that will position the flint in such a way that the flints edge will produce a shower of sparks while shoving the frizzen out of the way, exposing the powder in the pan. It also must do this without greatly damaging the razor sharp edge of the flint.
Even with a good lock, the flint must be positioned correctly in the jaws of the cock to get the sparks and because the shooter is the one who installs the flint and makes this adjustment, his knowledge and talent becomes a integral part of the gun.
Learning how to prime the pan for the fastest ignition is another thing that must be done.
Not too little and not too much is the key here.
Also, wiping all traces of fouling out of the pan is needed after the gun is fired to keep the next prime dry.
With his good lock, a correctly adjusted flint and a properly primed pan the real test of the shooter will be measured. Shooting to the mark.
This requires several things.
The first is to ignore the flash in the pan.
With this happening just inches from his eyes he must not flinch or move in any way.
Although the cock and the fence at the back of the pan shields the shooter from the flash, it doesn't always shield his forehead from small bits of burning powder and learning to ignore this is not always easy.
There is also the time lag between pulling the trigger and the discharge of the gun.
While modern suppository guns will fire in one to three thousandths of a second, a flintlock usually requires seventy to eighty thousandths of a second after the trigger pull for the gun to fire.
During this time, the shooter must maintain the alignment of his guns sights on target. No movement of any kind can be made.
Adding to this time factor, more than a few times the flintlock shooter will find there is considerably more time needed for the shot to fire. Sometimes as much as a second.
He must be mentally prepared for this possible delay every time he shoots the gun.
Some call this "follow thru" but whatever it is called, it must be learned and practiced.
Now, I realize all of this doesn't make the flintlock sound too appealing but those who have learned to do all of these things successfully will have a inner satisfaction that can never be known by those who shoot the more modern guns.
There is another, often unmentioned benefit of learning to shoot a flintlock accurately.
The "follow thru" I mentioned will carry over to any gun you shoot.
Groups shot with percussion or suppository guns that once were measured in inches will become groups that are measured in fractions of an inch.
No. Flintlocks aren't for everyone, but for the person who wants to develop his skills to the highest level and have the total satisfaction of knowing that they and their gun did everything right, they are hard to beat.
So far the answers you have gotten hit on a few of the reasons shooting a flintlock is attractive.
History:
The flintlock was the culmination of many different approaches to getting a gun to fire when the shooter wanted it to.
It was "the best" for over 300 years. From about 1530 thru 1830 the flintlock proved its worth, successively serving army's, pirates, explorers, hunters, trappers and settlers.
Even when the percussion cap ignition began to replace the flintlock the flintlock never totally lost favor among shooters because although the percussion system reduced the flintlocks weakness to wind and water and a small gain in ignition speed that didn't totally offset the difficulties of obtaining caps.
Satisfaction:
There is no denying the fact that the flintlock system is more demanding.
Using a rock and a piece of steel to light the black powder in the pan requires a good lock (and a little luck).
While just about anything that can pound a percussion cap will work to fire a percussion gun, a flintlock needs a cock and frizzen that will position the flint in such a way that the flints edge will produce a shower of sparks while shoving the frizzen out of the way, exposing the powder in the pan. It also must do this without greatly damaging the razor sharp edge of the flint.
Even with a good lock, the flint must be positioned correctly in the jaws of the cock to get the sparks and because the shooter is the one who installs the flint and makes this adjustment, his knowledge and talent becomes a integral part of the gun.
Learning how to prime the pan for the fastest ignition is another thing that must be done.
Not too little and not too much is the key here.
Also, wiping all traces of fouling out of the pan is needed after the gun is fired to keep the next prime dry.
With his good lock, a correctly adjusted flint and a properly primed pan the real test of the shooter will be measured. Shooting to the mark.
This requires several things.
The first is to ignore the flash in the pan.
With this happening just inches from his eyes he must not flinch or move in any way.
Although the cock and the fence at the back of the pan shields the shooter from the flash, it doesn't always shield his forehead from small bits of burning powder and learning to ignore this is not always easy.
There is also the time lag between pulling the trigger and the discharge of the gun.
While modern suppository guns will fire in one to three thousandths of a second, a flintlock usually requires seventy to eighty thousandths of a second after the trigger pull for the gun to fire.
During this time, the shooter must maintain the alignment of his guns sights on target. No movement of any kind can be made.
Adding to this time factor, more than a few times the flintlock shooter will find there is considerably more time needed for the shot to fire. Sometimes as much as a second.
He must be mentally prepared for this possible delay every time he shoots the gun.
Some call this "follow thru" but whatever it is called, it must be learned and practiced.
Now, I realize all of this doesn't make the flintlock sound too appealing but those who have learned to do all of these things successfully will have a inner satisfaction that can never be known by those who shoot the more modern guns.
There is another, often unmentioned benefit of learning to shoot a flintlock accurately.
The "follow thru" I mentioned will carry over to any gun you shoot.
Groups shot with percussion or suppository guns that once were measured in inches will become groups that are measured in fractions of an inch.
No. Flintlocks aren't for everyone, but for the person who wants to develop his skills to the highest level and have the total satisfaction of knowing that they and their gun did everything right, they are hard to beat.
All one has to do is take a look at a nice longrifle or fowler, even if it's a well done barn gun, their beautiful pieces of art. And like posted above, a flinter is probably best for the folk that like to tinker, develop skills that work best for you and your particular gun and of coarse, making all the accouterments that go with it.
Rick Richard
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It is like everyone has mentioned in that it is another aspect of 'Traditional'.
With that said, it isn't for everyone and it was not for me at this time anyway. When folks say "it is a little different than a cap lock and takes a bit of learning to shoot", I found 'little' to be grossly understated. However, the brief journey was fun and I learned a lot. Maybe down the road I will give it another attempt since I know now my limits and what can be expected.
For you, I would say find someone who will let you borrow theirs and shoot it a bunch if possible. This will give you an idea on possible shooting issues and accuracy differences from your inlines.
Good luck and I hope It works for you.
With that said, it isn't for everyone and it was not for me at this time anyway. When folks say "it is a little different than a cap lock and takes a bit of learning to shoot", I found 'little' to be grossly understated. However, the brief journey was fun and I learned a lot. Maybe down the road I will give it another attempt since I know now my limits and what can be expected.
For you, I would say find someone who will let you borrow theirs and shoot it a bunch if possible. This will give you an idea on possible shooting issues and accuracy differences from your inlines.
Good luck and I hope It works for you.
Many Klatch
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Modern guns are boring. Buy the cartridges, put in gun, shoot the gun, adjust the sights shoot again, on target, now what.
Flinters are a continuing challenge. There is always something to learn. Besides, if you can shoot a flinter off hand, you can shoot anything.
Flinters are a continuing challenge. There is always something to learn. Besides, if you can shoot a flinter off hand, you can shoot anything.
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BobinIL said:
If you have to ask or be persuaded, You're not ready for one....
You might want to shoot one first. :2
It only took one shot for me, A bess in 1976, been hooked since.
There is just some certain satisfaction when it goes boom. It means you did everything right! And when you hit what you aimed at, well, it is a feeling you can't describe. Once you shoot a flinter, all other guns will sit in the closet gathering dust. Then.... if you try a smoothbore flinter it is a whole new level of pure joy.
The Baron
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tenngun said:
Same here. Only it was in about 2002 and it wasn't even me shooting. I called up a nice tom turkey and the fellow I was guiding shot it with a high quality 'Bess repro. There was just something about the sound and the smoke hanging in the woods and I just HAD to have one. And I had never even fired one.
I'd suggest a nice fowler for their versatility. Once you fire that first shot, you'll know. :thumbsup:
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tenngun said:
Exactly!.....
Flintlocks force you to be more aware, of both the gun and your surroundings. for some this is an annoyance, for others it is a pleasure.
They are a lot like your first ice cream cone....take your time and enjoy it and it is pure ecstasy.....Get in a hurry and it gives you a splitting headache.
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