Better than before or ...?

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RWMC

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Thinking about buying a traditions 50 caliber flintlock Kentucky rifle with a 33 inch barrel.

I have read reports how that flintlocks by Traditions in the past were hit or miss on the quality of the lock/frizzen hardness. This one is brand new, made in Spain this year. The cost is just under $400.

Should I take a chance on it, or spend more money and buy a better brand or maybe a used Thompson center flintlock?

Thanks for your suggestions and input.
 
Go with the Thompson Center.

Thompson Center flintlocks with the original hammer design have a terrible reputation for eating flints.
That's why TC came out with a redesigned hammer that had better geometry, and made it available for retrofitting.
And now that TC doesn't make sidelocks anymore, that replacement hammer isn't available unless you can find one on eBay.
If I had to guess, less than 50% of TC flintlocks have the replacement hammer.
It took TC 25-30 years before they redesigned the hammer, and most folks probably didn't even know about it.
Some folks were getting less than 20 shots per flint with their original TC hammer.

The Traditions Kentucky has a lot of good reviews. --->>> https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/traditionstm-flintlock-kentucky-rifle.html
And now they came out with a deluxe model with double triggers.
The main concerns that I would have about it are that it has a short length of pull, the single trigger is designed to flop back and forth until it engages the sear, and that the vent design isn't threaded to be easily replaceable.
I think that they use a press fit bushing for a vent that can be replaced, but maybe only by Traditions.
Unless someone drills it out to put in their own threaded vent.
But that's something that wouldn't need to be done until way down the road if ever needed.
This youtube video shows how well it functions and shoots:



Lyman also makes a good flintlock that costs a little more.
But it seems that the .50 Trade Rifle that has a 28" barrel and longer length of pull needs to be back ordered.
It's similar to a TC Hawken.

1. https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/lymantm-trade-rifle-flintlock.html
2. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1064880805
 
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Abe's General Store is the only place where I could find a new Lyman .50 Trade Rifle flintlock in stock.
Everywhere else is out of stock: --->>> https://abes-general-store-co.myshopify.com/products/lyman-trade-rifle-50-cal-muzzleloader

It has a 1 in 48" twist with 28" inch barrel, 14" length of pull, 15/16" barrel, walnut stock, $499.95.
Abe's General Store is located in Oil City, PA, and has been around for a long time.
Check out their online catalog, they have a lot of flintlocks and flintlock related items.
They carry a lot of Pedersoli and Traditions flintlocks because of the PA flintlock only deer season.
 
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