tc flint and percussion lock interchange

[Walks with fire]

I have a green mountain percussion 54 drop-in barrel that I would like to use as a switch out barrel on my tc flintlock pa hunter. The barrel fits the stock but my question is whether a tc percussion lock would be able to fit without modifying the stock so I could switch back and forth between either barrel on the same stock.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I have never done it but have owned 2 TC flintlocks that had a touch hole in the rear corner of the pan that would indicate that a drum on a percussion barrel may be too far back for a percussion lock to be properly positioned if by chance the touch hole on a flint barrel was in the wrong place. I sent my rifle back to TC, they said they didn't see any problem with the touch hole position.

I have owned a bunch of TC percussion guns and all had a properly positioned drum/lock combination.

I would check around with your friends with TCs to see if one of them would let you fit their TC percussion lock in your stock to see if everything lines up. From the deer drive videos on you tube it appears that lots of folk in PA are still shooting TCs.

 

[blackeagle]

Walks with fire,

Here's a pair of TC Hawkens I have, one in flint (50cal) and the other percussion (54cal), both are Green Mountain barrels.

Flint rifle is the top and percussion is the bottom in all pics. It is necessary to remove the barrel in order to remove the percussion lock. The percussion stock is from a kit rifle.

If you zoom in on the mortise pic you may notice some minor differences near the lock screw hole and running horizontal above where the main spring cavity is located.

I was able to insert the percussion lock into the flint stock and vice versa...both sat flush. I didn't try cocking either to find out if there was any obstruction to the mainspring while in the opposite stock.

These aren't PA hunters but I hope this helps!

Blackeagle

 

[bluemule66]

I had no issues swapping barrels and locks on my Renegade.

 

[SDSmlf]

If the TC locks drop into the stock mortise you should be good to go. For what it is worth, I have noticed a little bit of difference in early vs late TC lock plates, but nothing a sharp chisel or knife couldn’t rectify. If you are considering using an L&R lock and swapping back and forth, there will be a little more to consider in my experience.

 

[blackeagle]

If the TC locks drop into the stock mortise you should be good to go. For what it is worth, I have noticed a little bit of difference in early vs late TC lock plates, but nothing a sharp chisel or knife couldn’t rectify. If you are considering using an L&R lock and swapping back and forth, there will be a little more to consider in my experience.

Totally agree about the L&R lock. I had to take out quite a bit more wood than their diagram indicated. Darn good lock!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I have never done it but have owned 2 TC flintlocks that had a touch hole in the rear corner of the pan that would indicate that a drum on a percussion barrel may be too far back for a percussion lock to be properly positioned if by chance the touch hole on a flint barrel was in the wrong place. I sent my rifle back to TC, they said they didn't see any problem with the touch hole position.

I have owned a bunch of TC percussion guns and all had a properly positioned drum/lock combination.

I would check around with your friends with TCs to see if one of them would let you fit their TC percussion lock in your stock to see if everything lines up. From the deer drive videos on you tube it appears that lots of folk in PA are still shooting TCs.

TC NEVER used a drum on their sidelocks. Always a bolster on the percussion. There was a company that made a drop in mule ear lock that fit the TC flint mortise. the exchange only required switching a nipple into the touch hole in place of the liner. Don't know if the L&R mule ear will do that.

 

[bluemule66]

Hmm. I may have to try my mule ear and see.

 

[Eric Krewson]

OOPS, I was wrong about a TC having a drum, I have two of them and should have known better.

 

[babstooge]

I have have a renegade, also another nonnamed tc. to change the non-American I had to inlet a bit to get the rod to clear and change the breech plug because it had a snail drum. Bruce

 

[Grimord]

TC NEVER used a drum on their sidelocks. Always a bolster on the percussion. There was a company that made a drop in mule ear lock that fit the TC flint mortise. the exchange only required switching a nipple into the touch hole in place of the liner. Don't know if the L&R mule ear will do that.

I have the Pioneer mule ear lock that you mention in your post. I have renegade flint lock barrels in 45, 50, 54 & 58. I can switch to the percussion mule ear by simply removing the touch hole liner and replacing it with a nipple. Makes for a very versatile gun set.