Author Topic: flintlock question (Read 671 times)

sachel.45 · « **on:** March 10, 2005, 07:19:53 AM »

hey a few years ago i got a .50 cal tradition flintlock. anyways having shot percussion for awhile i wanted to try a flintlock anyways after spending an hour shooting and only getting 4 shots off i decided to shelf it. and bought a .54 knight inline (i was young and didn't know anybody that could help me) so i was wondering if there was any tricks? i've tryed difrent flinks and diffrent postions but still nothing. i thought about drilling out the flash hole a little bigger any thoughts?

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2005, 07:41:43 AM »

Well you were doing something wrong because during the revolutionary war the regulars had to be able to shot 4 rounds in 1 minute.

Were you only filling the flashpan 1/3? Did you try bevel up and bevel down on your flint. At 1/2 cock the flint should just be touching the frizzen. Were you using 4f in the pan?

If you are using 2f in the main charge then you can use a #2 KEO Combination drill to enlarge the hole but you don't want to go more than 5/64 or 0.078 inches. Sometimes you have to clean out the inside of the flashhole liner and enlarge that a little too.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2005, 08:21:21 AM »

There's a bunch of things that can make or break good flintlock ignition....one of the first things I look at with the spanish/italian locks is the frizzen, the older models were notorious for having soft frizzens or were only surface hardened so the surface quickly wears away and would not perform reliably to make a good shooter out of the box. If you don't have a mentor to help you along, shooting a flintlock can be very frustrating, I know, I started with a Hatfield and almost gave up, fortunetely, after joining a club I met a man who had been shooting flinters for over 20yrs in competition and knew the ropes. Joining a traditional blackpowder club would be very helpful if you have one nearby, next would be getting some books on the subject or surfing the web for information. Sam Fadala has a couple books out that would be a good start. Here are couple links that I found that can help...Good luck and have fun....once learned, they are much more fun than shooting a caplock.

http://members.aol.com/illinewek/faqs/tuning.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=flintlock.htm&url=http://members.aye.net/~bspen/flintlockfaq.htm

lhttp://www.geocities.com/sye_parker/shooting_blackpowder.html

sachel.45 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2005, 10:48:21 AM »

yeah i tryed everything you said i've shot a few peoples flintlocks and they worked fine. the flash pan was full with 4f i tryed diffrent combos of that and nothing. it was used when i bought it and it didn't look like it was used much. also the frizzen spring seems really eeasy to open when i went elk hunting (never got a shot) every few minutes i would have to refill my flash pan because it would be open. like if i turn my gun upside down it almost opens is this bad?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2005, 11:26:07 AM »

The frizzen spring should hold it closed and create tension on it as the flint scrapes down it's face, then it should snap open at a certain point. Replacing the frizzen spring may be all that's needed. Another alternative is a complete lock replacement from L&R, they have replacement locks for some of the imported rifles. That said, a well tuned lock with good geometry will provide good spark even with a weak frizzen spring, I've seen trail walks completed with just a rubber band on the frizzen to hold it closed for a shot.

http://www.lr-rpl.com/