Traditions vs. T\C

[zimmerstutzen]

If you are limited to percussion, a traditions is like a 250 cc Vespa, it will get you there. A TC is more like a 450 Suzuki, it will get you there too. Neither are anything close to a BMW, Harley or Moto Guzzi.

In the flints, both traditions and the older used TC flint locks have their problems.

I have a trapper pistol in flint that is about worthless. The older smaller Traditions flint locks were far more reliable than the larger one on my Trapper. In fairness, I have not taken the time to polish anything. The gun is about 30 years old, when the trapper first came out. In percussion, many guys swear by them. I just swear at mine.

 

[necchi]

I try not to be that bias, it seems some here have a penchant for a particular model.
To me that's an indication of a lack of experiance with all the others, oh well,,
I enjoy shooting, and I enjoy shooting well. I'm not going to let Manufacturer bias stop me from haveing an accurate shooting rifle.

I'll take an old Jukar split stock up against a TC Hawkin at the range any day. And probably walk away with the money.

Part of the deal is fit too, while I've had many TC and still have 3 TC Renegade, that cheek slappin Hawken stock is far from my favorite rifle, and I'll probably never own a Lyman Great Plains model,, that thing just won't fit me,.?.

 

[hanshi]

I beg to differ. They are of lesser quality than the T/C and probably Lyman and definitely Pedersoli but they ARE on the same planet and not all the way down to 9 and 10. I don't care for most of the import flint locks but the percussion locks are just fine on these guns. I've never regretted the two Traditions I've bought and the one CVA that was given to me. I no longer have that "particular" CVA but I still own and use my two old Traditions.

 

[ncmtmike]

:hmm: I have a Lyman Great Plains an a Traditions PA both which are very accurate,If I had to chose now between them I would chose the Traditions only because it is a flintlock. :blah:

 

[steve free]

What aimkee said, I couldn't agree more.

 

[Rat Trapper]

Either go with a TC or spend a little more money and get a custom rifle. If you don't want to go all out, then contact Tenn Valley muzzleloading. If you buy the best quality you can afford you will be a lot happier in the end.

 

[ebiggs1]

What I took from the OP was which was more quality. Maybe I was wrong from drawing that conclusion. And in that context, the Traditions and/or a CVA is not even on the same list with Thompson Center..
That is a fact but if anyone has either and loves it and shoots well with it I am all in for them.
It is not up to me to tell other people what to love. They need to do that for themselves and I will respect their decision. And if I may be of any little bit of help in a person achieving that, I will.
They just can't go out and say my Traditions, whatever, is of higher quality than any TC ever was.

BTW, if you beat me a match, that would prove nothing. :shocked2: For I maintain the sole title of, "The World's Worst Shot." I can shoot equally awful with any brand of rifle and I prove it from time to time. :grin:

 

[necchi]

:haha:
:hatsoff: :v

 

[50cal.cliff]

I will put it this way TC is probably a cut above the traditions because of differing factors. However I wouldn't turn down a Traditions if I could get it for the right price!

TC has had in the past better warranty, however I think that maybe on it's way out! If not then that is definitely a factor in their favor.

However I put a Traditions Kit together and other than a few screw-ups on my part it was alright! Granted you can plan on throwing away the sights and buying or making new ones because that is where their company tried to save money. They are plastic! :shake: :idunno: :youcrazy:

However once assembled and I got the ole gal's load all figured out.

Well lets just say this if I am having a day when I am on, I will put it up against pretty much anyone! It is as accurate as I am when I shoot her!

 

[hanshi]

You may THINK you hold the title of "World's Worst Shot" but I can match you shot for shot; no brag, just fact. Just put up any target you want to miss for each of us, and mine will be pristine after the shooting session; no ugly holes. :rotf:

 

[kbbgood]

So you guys like the Lyman, how does the TC seneca rate?

 

[50cal.cliff]

I have had those days, :idunno: no holes! :hmm: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

Someone pretty much laid out for your in and order of how they rate in another post.

I am here to tell you I have a Lyman as well and its right there under TC or real close to it.I have no kicks on it.

IMO Lyman is as close as you can get to an original looking gun with a production gun.

Till now the TC edged it out, on the no questions asked warranty.(However TC's look more like a production gun) than the Lyman IMO And every since S&W took TC over it is very much in question as too how much longer the no questions asked warranty is going to be in effect! They are in business to make money and you can't make money fixing a bunch of guns that no one uses. Or at least that is how most see Traditional Black Powder guns!!!!!

 

[Rat Trapper]

So you guys like the Lyman, how does the TC seneca rate?

The TC Seneca is a very nice small rifle. If you can find one in 32 or 36 caliber you would really have something. They are no longer made and hard to come by, but worth picking up if you can find one. Oh ya, they too are way better than anything Traditions or CVA has ever offered.

 

[Robert Egler]

Welcome aboard. First, let me tell you one thing. If you are thinking about a black powder rifle, do yourself a favor and save up the money. If you start with production guns, vey soon you will find yourself wanting/craving/dreaming/etc for a semi custom or custom one.
Michael from CT

People are always saying this, but just for the record, dreaming/wanting a custom gun is not something everyone wants. I pretty much always prefer standard production guns as close to 'as made' as possible, both in MLs and moderns. Whenever I change something from as made I tend to agonize over it for days before I decide.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

Welcome aboard. First, let me tell you one thing. If you are thinking about a black powder rifle, do yourself a favor and save up the money. If you start with production guns, vey soon you will find yourself wanting/craving/dreaming/etc for a semi custom or custom one.
Michael from CT

People are always saying this, but just for the record, dreaming/wanting a custom gun is not something everyone wants.

Besides that, custom guns are not cheap. Not everyone is in an income bracket where spending a couple thousand dollars or more for something that`s a "non necessity" is an option for them.

If a person looks around in used gun racks you can find nice production guns for the price of just a lock, stock, or barrel used in a custom built gun. If it weren`t for production guns alot of us wouldn`t be able to participate in this hobby at all.

 

[ebiggs1]

If I may point out if we are still just talking about the “quality” of the gun, the TC warranty has nothing to do with it. Whether they have one or not does not change the quality comparison between it and the others.
Another point, someone that has one of each gun and is comparing the quality may find an example that is of lower or higher quality than other examples.
I am in the fortunate position to have a few TC's and Lyman GPR's to compare. The TC's are in general better quality, even if one just compares the wood in each. Let alone the locks. The barrels are even, in my judgment.
I have looked at many CVAs and Traditions that were for sale and could just not lay the money down.
And I really have the hots for a Crockett. And I, suppose, one day I will do it. But it will have to be a kit.

"..., but just for the record, dreaming/wanting a custom gun is not something everyone wants."

Why is this statement so hard for some of you to understand or comprehend. This is absolutely spot on. :thumbsup:

 

[ebiggs1]

You may THINK you hold the title of "World's Worst Shot" but I can match you shot for shot; no brag, just fact. Just put up any target you want to miss for each of us, and mine will be pristine after the shooting session; no ugly holes. :rotf:

That would certainly be a sight to see! But, alas, I have proven on many occasions that I do indeed own sole ownership of the title.
I watch some of my CF buddies that are very good shots and the stuff they go through to be such wonderful shots and I guess I am just unwilling to go to such measures. In either CF or muzzle loader guns.
So, here I stay, "World's Worst Shot!" :applause:

 

[hanshi]

As an aside, I've owned T/Cs,Pedersoli, CVAs and Traditions; I've never owned a Lyman. Depending on the model, I'd rate Pedersoli first with T/C nudging it hard but still basically #2; or at best a tie. Traditions come third and CVA #4. Place Lyman where you want as I've never fired one.

 

[Black Jack]

This is kind of a "Ford vs. Chevy" argument. I have several of both and each has pros and cons. The TCs are slightly ahead on manufacturing quality. They are fine rifle in their own right, but are looked at as the poster child for "Non-PC Beginners Gun" at local rondies. The coarse sights also make it tough for precision target shooting, although they are great for hunting. The Traditions/CVA rifles, some of them, fit in style-wise better at rendezvous settings. The percussions, while not in the same league as customs by any means, shoot just as well and have taken many prizes. The flinters are more tedious to use and sometimes need some tinkering to perform consistantly. I have always leaned toward production guns like some others. I would never want to take a highly decorated custom longrifle into the woods for fear that I would put a scratch on it. They are more art objects than work-a-day guns, and, in spite of what some purists say, they are not representative of what the typical frontiersman owned. If you want a more representative custom, then you are looking at what Chuck Dixon calls a Schimmel. As far as production guns go, we are fortunate to have Traditions (and Lyman)as companies making moderately priced guns that follow traditional styling as most other manufactures have completely gone the route of the "unspeakables".