Want to convert to flintlock

[LAREDOBOB]

I have a T/C Renegade in 54 cal. It is a percussion and I want to convert it to flint(call me crazy). Is it worth it to buy a new lock and barrel? Is that all I need , and will they drop in? Help me here. Thanks.

[lonewolf5348]

t/c parts will swap but early locks are a tad larger then the newer ones the stock may need a little inletting,barrels will fit
here is a stock off of a renegade that I switched to a flinter and the longer custom t/c flint barrel 31" with a 1 in 66  barrel twist

[Rangr44]

A few, over on the Traditional Muzzleloading Forum, have converted their caplock T/C's w/o buying the entire lock, and using the caplock barrel.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/243131/

The side of the bolster's cut flat/flush, and a larger hole drilled through the old flash hole for a plug screw that's then cut off flush and drilled for the vent hole.





The percussion lockplate was filed/fit for a pan, and a T/C flintlock hammer installed & adjusted accordingly.



.

.

[coyotejoe]

This question comes up often. It is easy and reasonably economical to conver a flint to percussion by installing a nipple drum and modifying the flint lock with a percussion hammer. It is not at all easy to go the other way, from percussion to flint. I'd generally advise that unless one has a strong attachment to that particular rifle you'll come out ahead to sell your percussion and by a flintlock rifle.

[necchi]

To answer the original questions;
Yes, you can just buy a lock and barrel and they will swap/drop in 
 Like Lonewolf said there may be a bit of fitting too the lock plate and in my experiance there may be a bit of adjustment needed at the wedge pin/lug for a snug fit. Both easy to do at the kitchen table.
 Cost effective? That's a roll of the dice. You'll hafta keep an eye out for the parts you need (lock & barrel) at the price you want to spend.
 I have seen Renegade stocks go on ebay as little as 60 and as high as 200, it's really a seasonable issue. Folks with the parts you want usually know what they'er worth.
 If you find another perc barrel you can get an aftermarket breech plug for about 30 and re-breech the barrel to a flint plug, but that takes some know how and filling/fitting/drilling.
My 2 cents,,,

[DennyRoark]

I just bought and refinished an early T/C Hawken stock (one hole nose cap) and discovered it is a flinter while trying to put a lock and barrel on it.  The trigger sear hole will need to be inletted a little deeper.  The barrel was also sloppy fit at the wedge pin.  Some precision drilling at the sear hole and a little shimming or bedding compound at the wedge is all that's needed there.  Modifying a caplock barrel? Beyond me....

[LAREDOBOB]

Well after reading all your imputs, I believe Coyotejoe is the one I am going with. Sell the Perc and buy a Flint. Thank you all for your input. Lotsa great ideas there. Only problem is letting go with the perc. I have had it over 25 yrs and it has a lot of my personality on it, and its gonna be like selling your dog.

[DennyRoark]

I suspect you'll regret that and buy another one in a few years.  Just my thoughts 'cause it happened to me
(look at my signature, bought in '80, sold in 2001)  BTW, I'm keepin' this restored one 'til the end and then it goes to my oldest grandson!

It's all good!

[Ladobe]

No problem going back and forth on my switch lock/switch barrel TC Hawken, and the locks would also work in my switch barrel Renegade.

[coyotejoe]

Well after reading all your imputs, I believe Coyotejoe is the one I am going with. Sell the Perc and buy a Flint. Thank you all for your input. Lotsa great ideas there. Only problem is letting go with the perc. I have had it over 25 yrs and it has a lot of my personality on it, and its gonna be like selling your dog.

Actually I said "unless you have a strong attachment to that particular rifle" and it sounds like you do have. One can often pick up good used T/C rifles for 200-250 bucks, every pawn shop has a few. Rifles aren't like dogs, you don't have to feed them if you aren't using them and one more rifle really doesn't take up much closet space. I'd keep the rifle to which you feel a bond and just prowl the stores and read the adds to find a deal on a flintlock.

[Semisane]

Hey Laredobob, maybe this is the one for you.  http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php/product/4785/cat/9

[coyotejoe]

That's not a bad price but not a steal. Midsouth Shooters Supply lists the Lyman Trade Rifle brand new at $337.95. I've always felt the Lyman Trade Rifle is a real bargain on the market, quality equal to a T/C Hawken at less than half the cost. And on the used gun market Lymans often bring more than a T/C, making the T/C about the worst investment on the market. Midsouth lists a new T/C at $798.52 and they typically sell used for less than $300.

[Swampman]

And on the used gun market Lymans often bring more than a T/C

 

[thejanitor]

I suspect you'll regret that and buy another one in a few years. 

Think about hunting in the rain/wet snow, the flint is a hoot to use when all is good, but when you need a critter gitter, the percussion in MY HANDS would put more meat on the table. Many guys can hunt/shoot in a typhoon with their flinters, my experience is use flint when it's good weather and switch guns to perc. in bad weather.
I did switch a CVA from perc to flint, It is way easier just swapping the drum for a touch hole liner and lock change -but your T/C breech plug snail deal is quite different. Just a thought. Brent

[badpenny]

I have a T/C Renegade in 54 cal. It is a percussion and I want to convert it to flint(call me crazy). Is it worth it to buy a new lock and barrel? Is that all I need , and will they drop in? Help me here. Thanks.

I have a .54 Renegade and swap locks and barrels.You can find locks and barrels on e-bay