Your thoughts? Thinking of getting a flintlock.

[John V.]

I have been a percussion cap traditional M/L fan for a little while now and have been watching a lot of U-Tube videos of folks shooting flint lock rifles. It kind of has me "hankering" to maybe get a flintlock to add to my M/L collection. I have never shot one nor do I know much about them? What are your thoughts? Not to sound stupid, but is flint-lock shooting more difficult then percussion? I do not hunt, just enjoy shooting traditional M/L with real B/P NOT Pyrodex. What are your guys/gals thoughts? Appreciate any input.

 

[Paul R]

You're all ready using real black, so everything else just falls into place. Yes, there is a bit of a learning curve when you go to flint, But, hey, you went through a learning curve on cap locks. There is a vast amount of knowledge & help on this site & you will have no idea what you are missing until you try it.
If you're still a bit hesitant, find somebody who has a flinter you can try. Bet you can't shoot just one!
Paul

 

[coloradoclyde]

Flintlocks can be finicky...They are more difficult than a percussion gun in almost every aspect.
However! They are also a blast to shoot.. and will make you a better shooter overall.

I strongly suggest finding someone who has one and will let you shoot it.....It will probably be love at first flash...But some people hate them.... :idunno:

I've done some of my best hunting with a flintlock....I shot 32 squirrels one year without a single miss....My personal best. Most were head shots and one was a running shot at 40+ yards...

 

[jethro224]

is flint-lock shooting more difficult then percussion?

:stir: op:


Some seem to think so. Others not so much.
Some try it once and never again. Some try it once and never go back to caps.

My answer; Difficult, no. Different, yes.

 

[nwtradegun]

i would stay away from cva's, traditions. there locks are lousy. stick with a used t/c, lyman or invesarms. investarms makes the tradegun and the gpr. this is my opion after trying the prior named guns.

 

[Old Timer 48]

I started with caplocks. Even have an inline.
Got my first flint about a month ago. Most fun ever with black powder. My brother has been shooting flints for years, so he is a lot of help, as well as a friend of mine.

 

[smo]

Don't do it ... :haha:

 

[MSW]

if you're on a budget, would look to a T/C or Lyman, used in .50 or .54 if you can find one. they are durable, utilitarian guns which are not HC/PC, but will get you well into flintshooting. if you have some loot to spend, check out the flint section on Track of the Wolf.

by way of warning, you are about to fall down a 'rabbit hole.' soon, you'll be getting all excited about sharp bits of rock, and your friends and coworkers will think you're 'round the bend.' ignore them - they just don't get it.

 

[wattlebuster]

Unless my arms fall off i just dont see a flintlock being "difficult" :idunno:

 

[Grenadier1758]

Shooting a caplock is a technical skill.

Shooting a flintlock is art.

A flintlock will bring you closer to the experience of a traditional shooter. You will become more aware of your rifle and become a better shooter of all rifles.

 

[yardhunter]

Once you try a flintlock”¦you'll leave those cap guns at home.
Here's why I say that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBBnNJ4DS3c

 

[Coot]

Shooting a flintlock requires more attention to detail than does a caplock. It is not rocket science but it does demand more focus.
Having shot both, the only cap guns that I shoot anymore are revolvers and a somewhat neglected Enfield. A poor quality lock will produce one thing well & that is frustration. A good lock & you may be selling your cap guns. Try it & see for yourself.

 

[wattlebuster]

Well said :bow:

 

[azmntman]

Flintlocks can be finicky...They are more difficult than a percussion gun in almost every aspect.
However! They are also a blast to shoot.. and will make you a better shooter overall.

I strongly suggest finding someone who has one and will let you shoot it.....It will probably be love at first flash...But some people hate them.... :idunno:

I've done some of my best hunting with a flintlock....I shot 32 squirrels one year without a single miss....My personal best. Most were head shots and one was a running shot at 40+ yards...

I'd a bought three powerball tickets (all the same numbers). Then you wouldnt have had to split it so many ways :shocked2: I'd call :bull: but saw my son jump outta truck and draw and fire a .22 pistol from the hip at running squirrel and nailed it in the head so "I wish'd it'd been me! :thumbsup:

So's to not be ff ...........I have a CVA Plainsman flinter. Lock may be crap. Is there a drop in for this gun available? Its like 20 yrs old. I could easily see me going 98% flint if I could get the thing shooting consistently. Some times perfect no delay sometimes delay sometimes no flash.

 

[MountainRanger]

Sometimes, thinking about it is the hard work. In my case, on my second or third shoot there with the black powder group of the Volunteer Rifle And Pistol club, one of my friends let me shoot his flintlock. I was hooked. That was 1976 and I still love it, even though I have the occasional aggravation... More often than not it's operator error :wink:

I sure agree that number one is to find someone who shoots a flintlock and ask to shoot it. Heck... Misery loves company. In all seriousness, see one being shot and you'll want to shoot one... Shoot one and you'll want to own one... Own one and your cap guns will be neglected or sold!

 

[timothy prouty]

WELL I use to shoot a caplock for about40yrs and about2yrs a go a friend gave me a flintlock to work on the stock so I just have to try it out and I got bitten by the flintlock bug now that all I shoot I made two of them and I have a cva mountain rifle in 45cal the only thing I did to it was to open the vent hole with a 1/16drill as have no trouble with it :hmm:

 

[smo]

You'll be hooked.... :haha: Another one falling into the dark side. :rotf:

 

[fleener]

I have a bunch of percussion guns. I had a flintlock for a few year and did not use it much and sold it.

In June I fell into one in .40 cal. I also have one on order with a custom builder. It should get started here real soon.

The flintlocks are harder and more picky than a perc. gun. You have to pay attention to more details.

I recently plugged mine up. Simply could not get it go off. Tried everything I could think of. I ended up pulling the bullet and scrapping the powder out. Lesson learned. Cap gun I would of pulled the nipple, added a little powder or simply used my CO2 discharger.

I am still not used to the delay in ignition. I have a good hold and follow through.

most of my shooting is for competitions, however the flinters are for fun.

I still very much like my percussion guns.

Fleener

 

[Critter Getter]

Shooting them isn't much more difficult at all. It's the hitting what your aiming at is where it gets a bit tricky!! It is seriously a lot of fun and very addicting. I have been shooting BP for 33+ years but only started shooting flintlocks the last 2 or so years. I still own and enjoy my caplocks but they don't get used much anymore! Greg.

 

[okawbow]

I shoot better offhand with a flintlock than I do with a percussion rifle. In fact, I never won an offhand match with a percussion. I've won dozens with a flintlock, against others shooting percussions.

I think the cap going off makes me flinch. I know I have to keep my eyes open until I see fire come out the muzzle of my flintlock, so I hold on target better, and follow through better.

It helps that most of my flintlocks have very fast locktime, but my favorite rifle has a big ole lock that is very dependable, but slower than the small siler and the Manton locks.

Get a good handling rifle with a good, fast lock, and you will see what I mean.