Flint Lock Reliability

[Archie]

I am thinking about building a flintlock shotgun, but am concerned about how reliable flinklocks are.  I have very reliable ignition with precussion.  Out of 10 shots with a flinklock, how many would you expect to not shoot?  Out of 100 how many would you expect not to shoot?

Thanks,

[StrawHat]

  Out of 10 shots with a flinklock, how many would you expect to not shoot?  Out of 100 how many would you expect not to shoot?

Thanks,

Depends on the shooter. 

With a well tuned lock, I have had consecutive strings of over 30 shots.  Inevitably, I screw up and forget the basics, wipe the flint, wipe the frizzen, strike the flint, prime the pan.  You know, the basics.

But let me remind you, forget the basics and all you hear is "tick"

So far I have not lost a game animal because of it but I did lose more than one blue ribbon.

Others will give you more advice but don't skip the basics.

[flintlock]

Everyone of them...

I have never owned a percussion and have shot muzzleloaders since the mid 70s...

I have also never owned a mass produced muzzleloader, only custom, there is a huge difference between a properly made flintlock with a reliable lock and some of the junk that is sold in mass quantities...

I shot in competition in the late 70s through the late 80s, shooting a few dozen shots in a day helps you learn your gun and how to make it reliable...

Remember...Flintlocks were used to ignite powder in firearms longer than any other type ignition system, they are really quite simple and very reliable...

[captchee]

 i would agree with the others here  in their statements to this point .
 I do a lot of shooting , all with flintlock  and watching around  IMO percussion seems to be way less  consistent then my flintlock .
 Do your part and the gun will do its . Get lax and it wont

[forest2]

Archie, There is only 5 years of archives here on this sight..and only about 200-300 years of history using flintlock as ignition. I don't know? but maybe what the others tell ya might be the truth. I'm just guessing, but if ya learn to do the "how too" part, a rock tosser might just work for ya. I wouldn't go shooting a round of "trap" on a rainy day with a hundred dollar bet on finishing the round, but I think if yer smart it might just work ya. IMHO

[Will Bison]

In my case I shoot primarily custom flint guns. If I get sloppy they will eventually fail to fire. For the most part a good flint will be as reliable as a cap gun. Last Summer I shot about 7 or 8 trailwalks and had about three misfires all of which were my fault for not paying attention. The flint guns do have a learning curve and it just takes time to learn the quirks of each gun.

[horseman308]

All these guys hit it right on the nose. A well made, well maintained flintlock will practically never let you down. But there is a learning curve and you do have to pay attention.

Get a good lock from a reputable company. You get what you pay for. If you buy a factory gun instead of a custom or semi-custom, you can get high grade replacement locks for factory guns from L & R.

Use good flints and keep them sharp.

Keep your touch hole completely open (I pick it before every shot; same goes with your nose!  ).

If hunting, don't be afraid to change your priming powder every half hour or so if it's a wet or humid day. If it's raining use a lock cover of some kind until you take your shot. Like everyone said, these things were in use for over 200 years. If they were truly unreliable someone would have changed them sooner. Good luck and enjoy!