What is the best percussion lock .

[Kyblackpowder]

Hello folks

I’m planning on building my 1st percussion gun . I would like your opinion in the percussion lock is the best . And the fastest too .

Thanks kybp

 

[rusty]

I don't think you could go wrong with a Chamber's percussion lock, or an L&R...

 

[david w]

Jim Kibler, Jim Chambers, and L&R Lock.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Does Kibler make a percussion lock?

I did not know that….

 

[david w]

Does Kibler make a percussion lock?

I did not know that….

Sorry, my bad

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Sorry, my bad

It’s OK, I got pretty excited at the thought…

 

[Flintleather]

Hello folks

I’m planning on building my 1st percussion gun . I would like your opinion in the percussion lock is the best . And the fastest too .

Thanks kybp

L&R Manton is the quickest cap lock i own! Flintleather

 

[Flintleather]

Short hammer throw and stiff mainspring

 

[VAN]

I have been very pleased with a Siler Mountain style lock on my percussion plains rifle build. Quick action with a strong mainspring.

 

[Kyblackpowder]

I’m looking at under hammer action. I’m building a chunk gun

 

[necchi]

I’m planning on building my 1st percussion gun.,,

I’m looking at under hammer action. I’m building a chunk gun.

All that is kind of an oxy-moron of the desired result of "best" and "fastest".
While lock time is important, the best results for bench accuracy with cap is a lock that will maintain a solid cap ignition/with nipple cover.
A heavy mainspring with tuned hammer/nipple contact, a smooth tumbler and fine break of trigger sear is the goal.

 

[rich pierce]

Guess I’m a “flintlock snob”. I don’t think there’s the range of actual performance in caplocks one sees in flintlocks. It’s much easier to pop a cap than reliably ignite a pan of powder with sparks from flint and steel. I do understand the look and feel of quality has a lot of appeal. For me, lock selection is normally based on style first, then function, with tuning often involved.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Hello folks

I’m planning on building my 1st percussion gun . I would like your opinion in the percussion lock is the best . And the fastest too .

Thanks kybp

I’m looking at under hammer action. I’m building a chunk gun

I would look into the Allen Under Hammer action offered by Pecatonica River

http://longrifles-pr.com/actions.shtml

 

[hanshi]

I was always under the impression that one caplock was pretty much the same as all the others. I realize lock speeds can differ, but other than that I've never noticed the variation one sometimes sees with a flint lock.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Aren't the locks/actions all part of the receiver of an underhammer?

 

[longcruise]

Aren't the locks/actions all part of the receiver of an underhammer?

Thats the conflict I see in the OP's question. Building an underhammer reduces the lock selection to just a few candidates.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Hello folks

I’m planning on building my 1st percussion gun . I would like your opinion in the percussion lock is the best . And the fastest too .

Thanks kybp

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/underhammer-lock-designs-diagrams.124841/
heres some information from an earlier post

 

[Josephg]

.

 

[Josephg]

Guess I’m a “flintlock snob”. I don’t think there’s the range of actual performance in caplocks one sees in flintlocks. It’s much easier to pop a cap than reliably ignite a pan of powder with sparks from flint and steel. I do understand the look and feel of quality has a lot of appeal. For me, lock selection is normally based on style first, then function, with tuning often involved.

I agree. You "think" there is no difference because you don't know.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

I do not know dittly squat about under hammers. Nor cap locks.

What I do know is I chose a Jim Chambers, and if I had to do it again, I would not have changed my mind.
It was and may still be the fastest lock made. Mine was made special, tuned special, and I treat it special.
If Jim makes one, I would buy it.