Should a Lazy Gun Cleaner get a MuzLdr

[T.A.Sharps]

What do I need to know if I move into Flintlock hunting.

The first rifle I bought was a 209 muzzle loader, a horrible inline traditions that about turned my off to the idea of BP shooting. It was such a pain to break down and keep clean. And I am very lazy when it comes to cleaning guns accept for a few choice ones I own.

The very next rifle I bought was a Marlin 45/70 Cowboy. Loved it, would never sell it.

I am starting to think about hunting another season, which would be a ML season. The late ML season I can use a handgun, which I have, but would rather use a muzzle loader.

The problem is the cost of this venture I want to keep as low as possible, and obviously buying a new rifle, however awesome, would jack that level up quite a bit.

But...

Yesterday I saw a Traditions Flintlock muzzle loader at a shop and they are asking $79 for it. About the price of a few tanks of gas. Very doable. But it is a Flintlock, which is interesting to me, but seems like it would be a pain to clean every time you shoot it.

I'm liking the look of a lot of the newer designs out there with the quick access of speed breeches and braking actions. They are making me think I could get back into it with minimal pain of maintenance.

But this is a flintlock, and a dreaded Traditions, dreaded to me maybe not you.

So Do you think I would be crazy to take up the Flintlock given my laziness with cleaning?

Also, would the newer breaking actions with "speed breeches" be a lot nicer to maintain, well for someone lazy like me?

 

[Norton Commando]

So Do you think I would be crazy to take up the Flintlock given my laziness with cleaning?

In a word, yes. Cleaning is part and parcel to the BP experience. Without a thorough cleaning regimen soon after shooting, the gun will quickly corrode into an ugly mess.

 

[rdstrain49]

What Norton said!

BP rifles are not a big deal to clean, but they MUST be cleaned EVERY time you shoot.

 

[Lunie]

I have been and can be lax in cleaning my smokeless firearms.

But I observe "Never let the sun set on a dirty [black powder] gun" pretty strictly.

If you know you won't commit to cleaning it, then you may not want to waste the $79 just to see how rusty you can make that poor flinter.

Heck, I'd probably give that much just to have one though.

 

[T Bran]

Have a look at Dixie Gunworks they have some stainless or nickle plated guns in either flint or percussion. Not 79.00 but not insane either somewhere between 200 and 250 if memory serves. You still must clean them but can be a little less panicked about it.
I have been thinking about getting one myself but that's another story.
Good hunting.
T

 

[Stophel]

"So Do you think I would be crazy to take up the Flintlock given my laziness with cleaning?"

Yes. Most people are lazy gun cleaners (or rather, they just don't clean them at all) which is why I won't consider buying a used blackpowder gun of any kind. It WILL be pitted and ruined. Ok, maybe if it was from a BP shooter that knew what he was doing, and the gun was ok, but as a general rule, definitely no.

 

[MCgunner]

What Norton said, ditto, and all that.

 

[arcticap]

If the inline required swabbing between shots, then the flinter shouldn't require as much swabbing when shooting patched round balls.
Of course that depends on how much powder is loaded, but I can fire patched round balls with moderate powder charges for hours without swabbing if the patches have enough Bore Butter lube applied to them.
But for every shooting session I end up spending about 1 hour cleaning no matter which black powder gun that I use.
However I did find that I could delay cleaning APP until the next day if I thoroughly coat the gun with mineral oil. And Ballistol should protect even better.

 

[TomADC]

One more ditto to what norton said.

 

[towboat_er]

Get one and clean it after shooting. Simple enough.

 

[SleazyRider]

"So Do you think I would be crazy to take up the Flintlock given my laziness with cleaning?"

Yes. Most people are lazy gun cleaners (or rather, they just don't clean them at all) which is why I won't consider buying a used blackpowder gun of any kind. It WILL be pitted and ruined. Ok, maybe if it was from a BP shooter that knew what he was doing, and the gun was ok, but as a general rule, definitely no.

Wish you posted this a few months ago, Stophel, because I bought a used flinter at a bargain price a few weeks ago, and you're absolutely right. I only paid $100 bucks for it so I have no complaints in that regard, but after sending a bore light down the barrel of my Cabela's .50 caliber rifle, I observed a pitted, neglected bore. I scrubbed the dickens out of it with Chore Boy and Naval Jelly, followed by JB Bore Paste, but it is far from perfect. Corrosion and neglect also compelled me to replace the touch hole liner, which I had to remove with an EZ Out and drill, then chase with a tap.

The rifle is deadly accurate, but I learned a lesson in buying a used black powder gun: few people give them the care they deserve (save for us on The High Road, of course!).

 

[mykeal]

Rule No. 1:

NEVER. Repeat, NEVER buy a used black powder gun without either a complete hands-on inspection (including the bore and action parts inside the lock/frame) OR an iron-clad no-questions-asked return for full refund guarantee after a minimum three day inspection period.

I have purchased many used black powder guns in very good to excellent condition. They exist, and in large numbers. However, I always follow Rule No. 1. If others wish to avoid them altogether, I have no problem with that - just leaves more for me.

 

[SleazyRider]

I hear ya, Mykeal, and what your sayin' makes sense. In this instance, it was a matter of it not being worth 100 bucks in gas and time (2 1/2 hour drive each way) to go examine the danged thing, and I just wanted to get my hands on a flinter as an introduction. I experimented with different flints, learned a bit about knapping along the way, and took apart the locks. It was thrilling to fire a flintlock for the first time, let me tell you! After 3 shots, I learned the value of a touch hole pick and not overcharging the pan! I figure in the not-to-distant future, when I'm a bit more familiar with the breed, I'll buy a nice flintlock ... after careful scrutiny!

 

[Legionnaire]

Learned my lesson re: used BP rifles. Check out my thread in this forum about getting rust out of a barrel! Never again without a complete hands on inspection, including a bore light and running a patch or two down the barrel.

So yes, if you aren't going to clean carefully, pass on the flintlock.

Edit: Right. Alternative is a no-questions-asked return guarantee.

 

[mykeal]

Don't forget the 2nd option: the no-questions-asked return guarantee. It's a great test of the seller's confidence in his offering. If he won't agree to it, there's probably a good reason, like it ain't what he said it was, or he knows there's a problem.

It isn't always necessary to lay your hands on it first.

 

[ontarget]

If you aren't going to clean it, don't buy it. Wait till you are sure you can force yourslf to do it. Of course it is your money, but it is a crying shame to see a gun (any gun) go to waste.

 

[MCgunner]

NEVER. Repeat, NEVER buy a used black powder gun without either a complete hands-on inspection (including the bore and action parts inside the lock/frame) OR an iron-clad no-questions-asked return for full refund guarantee after a minimum three day inspection period.

That's good advice which I violated on my CVA Plainsman rifle I got for 80 bucks on gunbroker.com. But, i got lucky on that one and it was decent. Whew! In the future, though, I WILL be more careful.

 

[robhof]

I guess I've been very lucky, as I've bought 4 B/p guns used from auctions and all were very well kept and 2 were actually unfired(not stated in the ad). I do check the feedback on the seller and won't buy from a newbee.

 

[Zombiphobia]

Should a Lazy Gun Cleaner get a MuzLdr

NO. If you're a lazy gun cleaner, a muzzle loader is NOT for you.

 

[Majes]

I say yes, maybe once ya see all the instant corrosion you'll understand this happens to all guns, albiet a little slower, and learn to clean up after enjoyment.

There is no excuse for lazy, ya just ain't likely found anything ya care enough about yet. Maybe it's BP