Flintlocks

[Beekeeper]

I know squat about BP and flintlocks but want to learn as like Crash I am sick of the primer, powder crisises.
Is there a forum for flintlocks ?
What books would you recomend reading to get a little knowledge of them.
Want to learn more than just enough to be dangerous as I want to live to see my granddaughters graduate from colledge, about 50 more years at the rate their going.


beekeeper

[6pt-sika]

Try ;

www.modernmuzzleloader.com

[Maven]

Also, take a look at Waksupi's sticky on flintlock mythbusters at the top of the page.

[mooman76]

You might want to get with a BP club or someone who shoots it allot in your area. Nothing beats first hand learnin. Flints can be a bit finnaky. Not trying to put them down, they're a fine weapon but it does take a more know how to operate them than a regular cap lock and some just can't seem to get the knack of it.

[ktw]

Is there a forum for flintlocks ?

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/
http://www.americanlongrifles.com/

The first one is geared more towards users of traditional sidelock guns.
The second tends to be centered more on building traditional sidelock guns.

-ktw

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Contact the National Muzzleloading Rifle association, get in contact with the state rep, or a nearby affiliated M/L group through the NMLRA, go and meet them, handle the weapons, shoot them, find a quality rifle. It will be a lifelong shooting experience you will never regret. BvT

[waksupi]

http://www.americanlongrifles.org/forum/ is about the best ML forum I have come across on the web. Not totally flinters, but definitely lean heavily that way.
The most important thing on a flinter is a top quality lock. Don't spare a dime getting the best. Most barrels are going to shoot well, so I consider them a lesser point with current makers. Buy a cheapy rifle, and expect to get frustrated fairly soon. Buy quality, and you will be a happy man.
Get a good one, and we can walk you through all the points you may need to know.

[JeffinNZ]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/
http://www.americanlongrifles.com/

The first one is geared more towards users of traditional sidelock guns.
The second tends to be centered more on building traditional sidelock guns.

-ktw

+1 on the muzzleloading forum. Claude has a great site.

[Hang Fire]

I have been shooting flintlocks for several decades and think there is no other way to travel. A word to the wise warning, flintlocks are addictive.

IF allowed to post a link, go here, a great bunch of guys and rocklock noobies are welcome. You will find they are eager to answer any and all questions, so long as said questions are about traditional muzzleloaders, inlines not spoken there.

I have been a member for several years, last count about a month ago, there was over 14,000 members.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php?


Has anyone seen my Country? I seem to have lost it.

[Hanshi]

Excellent advice so far. This should get you started on the right track. I'd re-emphasize the advice about going "cheap" on a flintlock. Production flintlocks are, unfortunately, something of a crap shoot. Some are quite serviceable, some mediocre and many need modifying or replacement. You'll spend a fair sum on a production, quality flintlock gun. The forums (especially Muzzloadingforum & ALR) are excellent as the knowledge available is priceless. You can get questions by the best in the field.

Another option (for a gun) is to have a custom one built. It's not as costly as you might think. You can have one built to your specifications for about the same cost or a little more than, say, a Pedersoli/Cabelas Blue Ridge longrifle. Call Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading (TVM) and talk with Toni. You can also save money by buying one "in the white" or in kit form and finishing it yourself. Other makers do high quality, as well.

[Hang Fire]

Tip Curtis is a well respected builder and his in the white (not much to finish out from there) are very good quality and the price is not bad at all.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tip+curtis+&btnG=Search

[northmn]

I shoot flintlock muzzleloaders and use a 45-70 with BP or a double hammer 16 gauge breech loader for percussion. I like the American Longrifle site but am sure the other one is good also. Flintlocks are fun adn their use requires a little learning. About the only difference in safety betwen a flintlock and a percussion is that I have had two discharges without primer in the pan. Mostly it is rare (sometimes it is hard enough with primer) when checking the new flint for spark after several misfires with the old one. As stated buy a good flintlock. Also remember that they do not work with phoney powders and need black powder only.

Northmn

[Hang Fire]

I shoot flintlock muzzleloaders and use a 45-70 with BP or a double hammer 16 gauge breech loader for percussion. I like the American Longrifle site but am sure the other one is good also. Flintlocks are fun adn their use requires a little learning. About the only difference in safety betwen a flintlock and a percussion is that I have had two discharges without primer in the pan. Mostly it is rare (sometimes it is hard enough with primer) when checking the new flint for spark after several misfires with the old one. As stated buy a good flintlock. Also remember that they do not work with phoney powders and need black powder only.

Northmn


If testing spark with a charge down the barrel, insert a toothpick or a feather in the touchhole.

To make sure of no accidental misfires in general with a rocklock, make up a frizzen stall, which is just a snug fitting leather sock to go over the frizzen with a thong attached & tied off to trigger guard.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=frizzen+stall&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

[northmn]

Hang fie. That happened when I was new to the sport. That is how we have learned to do some of the things you mentioned. Another way is not to hold the weapon on it side so that the sparks do not go into the touchhole. Now I insert a pick.

Northmn

[TCLouis]

Just to make you feel good about a flinter, there are shortages of good quality flints too.

Just not many flint knappers left in this world.