Traditions St Louis rifle opinions?

[07Kingpin]

Have shot/hunted for 20+ years, mostly centerfire and shotgun,some inline and a little traditional ML-only hunted with cf/shotgun and inline.

Looking at getting more into traditional ML, target shooting at first, possibly hunting down the road. Interested in the history/engineering/skill involved in the traditional style rifles.

Looking at different kits to get started- thoughts on the Traditions St Louis?

Accuracy?

Reliability?

General build quality?

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[Griff4570]

I won one in a raffle a few years ago. I had no problems with it. I did end up selling it to a friend. It was right handed, my kids and I all shoot south paw. My buddy still shots it. Always goes bang and shots as straight as he holds it. I have 3 other traditions. 2 pistols and a crocket. None of those are left handed. Been happy with them all.

 

[Frontier's]

Awesome rifles! I built mine 3 years ago. She's taken 6 big game animals since then and a fox. Shes 6-0 in the field!





As for shooting, they are scary accurate. Keep in mind, mine is a kit and I upgraded the sights and installed a new rear sight that sat further away from my eye so I could see perfectly out to 150 yards with no fuzziness. I shoot either 80gr 2fg or 70gr 3fg, .020" patch and a .490" round ball. My last target from 100 yards before I went hunting a few weeks ago.

 

[07Kingpin]

Great replies thanks!

This may be a really dumb question but what is the difference between the St Louis Hawken and the Woodsman? They both seem to be 50 cal with 28" octagon barrels and 1:48 twist, percussion cap etc..

 

[Frontier's]

the st louis hawken is mostly found in kit form like mine. If you want pre built, go with the hawken woodsman, Same gun, different name, prebuilt.

I have 1 of them as well, plus I had a percussion a couple years back that I let my brother in law use on a hunt. Tack drivers.

 

[07Kingpin]

That's what it looked like- thanks.

 

[07Kingpin]

What are the aftermarket sights options like for these rifles?

 

[Rat]

Is the Traditions, and the TC made by the same maker? Just wondered. From what I gather, they do have different breech's, but they sure look alike. ??

And, is there a breech issue with the Traditions? Can't be too serious with the way Frontier's been knocking them down. ?

 

[Zonie]

No. TC or Thompson Center was an American company who made all of the parts for the guns they sold.
For years they only offered traditional style sidelock guns. Then they added modern in-line guns and dropped all of the sidelock guns they had offered. A little later on, the company was bought by Smith & Wesson.
Before being bought they had offered lifetime warranties on their guns. Now that they belong to S&W they don't honor the warranty but if someone is very lucky they might be able to get some spare parts if the company has any left over in storage.

Traditions is an import company in the US who buys the guns they sell from a company in Spain. I believe the company that makes them is called Ardesa.
These are basically the same guns that were imported by CVA (Connecticut Valley Arms) into the US from the early 1970's.

 

[chubbyninja]

A little info on Traditions customer service.I recently contacted them regarding the ramrod thimble on the 32 cal. barrel. The kit I received had no 32 cal. thimble. I installed the 50 cal. on the 32 barrel,but the alum. ramrod rattles in it.According to them there is no longer a 32 cal thimble available.However I did notice they are still selling the 32 cal. Crockett rifle.It seems like no effort at all was expended to remedy my problem.On the other hand I recently received a new Optima from CVA when I returned a recalled Blazer. CVA customer service =2 thumbs up. Traditions customer service 2 thumbs down .FWIW just my opinion.

John

 

[Frontier's]

if they dont sell it or make it, what do you expect?

 

[azmntman]

I would expect them to take one off the crocket I guess, need more info really. I have had good luck with them myself? One would think they would make several additional parts per 100 rifles made??

 

[Frontier's]

what rifle do you have in the first place? The crockett does not use the same ramrod pipes as the deer hunter. I noticed you said you put a 50cal barrel on so that tells me its not a crockett.

 

[Howie1968]

I have the traditions woodsman flintlock and absolutely love it. Bought it here off the fourumn from another member. This was a kit which he upgraded locks. He did a wonderful job on the woodsman.
You did a great job on your hawken. It looks great

 

[Mdl94]

As far as the thimbles on the Crockett, if the ram rod is about 5/16” contact Deer Creek Products. The have some parts for the CVA version of this rifle that may work for ya. Possibly even help with original Traditions parts, I know they sell them. Great people to deal with, if there is ever an issue they will and have made it more than right with me. Track of the Wolf is another great resource for parts, and a host of others too. If nothing else, a brass bushing in the thimble you have and a popsicle stick inside the stock channel as a friction wedge for the ram rod should cure your rattle on the cheap. make it yours and enjoy the smoke!