Thoughts on traditions rocklocks

[mhuffman217]

What are the experiences with traditions flinters? With no caps to be had looking to go to a flinter. Not a newby have owned several and built one. Not wanting to spend a grand on a hunter

 

[airiest-falcon0n]

I have a Traditions flintlock. It’s my 1st “rocklock”,so I don’t have anything to compare it to. I followed advice I read on this forum, and polished all mating surfaces on back of lock. Using 2000 grit paper, I polished plate, spring, tumbler, etc. to a near-mirror finish. I also lightened frizzen spring. There’s still a very slight delay between pan & main charge ignitions, but it’s faster & more reliable than it was when I 1st got it. I’m happy w/it, and it’s very accurate.

 

[Tumbledown]

Mine had a wave washer in the frizzen pivot. I replaced it with a flat washer as a spacer, greatly reducing the friction. I also smoothed and polished the casting seam where the frizzen contacts the spring, and slightly reshaped the profile so it snaps open on its own once the flint travels far enough.

I have only had a failure to fire if I have a dull flint or dirty frizzen.

 

[nkbj]

I've had good experiences with the Traditions flinters.

 

[RobertIN]

Barrels are astonishingly accurate for the price. Biggest weakness is the lock itself and the patent breech can be annoying to clean. Sending my lock off to @FlinterNick to be looked over was a worthwhile investment for reliability.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Nothing wrong with them at all. They might be improved by some simple polishing and tuning.

Go ahead and get it! One neat thing is later on down the line, if you want to various companies make drop-in American made locks that you can swap out the original for. Same for triggers. As someone else mentioned the Traditions barrels are exceptionally accurate and they can shoot VERY well. My Traditions Crockett is a lights-out squirrel buster!

 

[kyron4]

Love my Kentucky rifle and pistol "rock locks". As others have said a little polishing and lube slicks them right up. I mainly use 5/8"x3/4" black English flints from TOW and the only failure to fire is when a haven't picked the touch hole after a few shots.

 

[Bearkiller]

I have two Traditions flinters. One is about 35 years old and the other is about 15 years old. I haven't touched either lock. As long as I pick the touch hole before every shot, they fire fast and true. I also have a custom made flinter with large Siler lock. Not much difference as far as I'm concerned.

 

[mhuffman217]

I have two Traditions flinters. One is about 35 years old and the other is about 15 years old. I haven't touched either lock. As long as I pick the touch hole before every shot, they fire fast and true. I also have a custom made flinter with large Siler lock. Not much difference as far as I'm concerned.

Many thanks!

 

[olskool]

"rock lock"

 

[nkbj]

Barrels are astonishingly accurate for the price. Biggest weakness is the lock itself and the patent breech can be annoying to clean. Sending my lock off to @FlinterNick to be looked over was a worthwhile investment for reliability.

Depending upon the model, caliber, etc, that patent breech can be modified to relieve the difficulties many experience with that design on a flinter. My .36 caliber Shenandoah was rebored to .46 to use revolver ball and at the same time the barrel smith fixed the breech.

 

[RobertIN]

Depending upon the model, caliber, etc, that patent breech can be modified to relieve the difficulties many experience with that design on a flinter. My .36 caliber Shenandoah was rebored to .46 to use revolver ball and at the same time the barrel smith fixed the breech.

I wouldn't mind having mine drilled out just to make cleaning a little less of a hassle. Do you have any recommendations?

 

[Uncle Miltie]

They are about the least expensive flintlock you can buy.
A cheap flintlock isn't worth the trouble.
Good locks cost good money.

 

[bldtrailer]

the lock is the weak point but Brad at cabin creek muzzleloaders here in pa fixes them to work right

sight in target 100 yrds

 

[Banjoman]

They actually work better when you call them flintlocks.