the guys saying they are junk are the elitist traditionalist who only shoot a reproduction of traditional school long rifle.
I shoot a custom long rifle, and have owned several over-the-counter flinters and caplocks as well..., I still own them.
While there are some critical cosmetic problems with some of the OTC guns..., the question when shooting or hunting is whether or not they will hit where they are aimed and do it reliably well.
The Lyman GPR is not junk, either to the eye or when shooting. Lyman has probably the best OTC street rep for shooting and hunting and cosmetic apearance, if you like plains-style rifles.
All of the Lyman caplock rifles have large groups of satisfied customers.
The Pedersoli "frontier" aka the Blue Ridge Hunter also has a good hunting and shooting rep, but is second to the Lyman as the Pedersoli works the best with a thin blade, after market, front sight post. Some folks have reported minor ignition problems due to the "patent breech" system that Pedersoli employs on this rifle. The Pedersoli Jaeger is a good rifle, but again swap out the front sight post for a thinner type. Pedersoli's "trade gun" is also a good shooting, smooth bore gun.
The Thompson Center caplock traditional rifles also shoot well, and many may be found used in pawn shops or online. I don't like the lock on the flintlock TC rifles, but many folks do well with them. The sights are modern style so many folks poo-poo that as well.
I have had a bad experience with the Traditions flintlock long rifle..., the lock I found to be small, and weakly made in the rifle that I had, and I will not consider another.
LD