Wondering about blackpowder, but not interested in percussion caps.

[Spec ops Grunt]

I'm all of a sudden finding myself taking an interest in Blackpowder guns, but I don't like percussion style guns.


Are there any entry level flintlocks?

 

[mykeal]

What do you mean by entry level?

Inexpensive? Yes, Traditions makes some decent quality, inexpensive flintlock long guns. For the money, Lyman's Great Plains Rifle and Trade Rifle are a better value; more expensive but lifetime quality.

Easy to learn and operate? No. Flintlocks appear to be simple, and the basics are pretty easy to pick up. The problem is that the fine points of tuning a lock to get the best performance and/or solving problems with the lock are not. The less expensive the equipment, the more likely you are to have problems, and they can be significant.

With an inexpensive 'entry level' gun you don't have much invested if you find flintlocks are not for you. Unfortunately, it's also true that with those guns you're more likely to have the kind of problems that frustrate you and cause you to give up the sport.

 

[StrawHat]

What mykeal posted is true. Getting a cheap flintlock leads to many frustrating problems that can be a real detriment to learning the art of flinting. A good flintlock need not be a custom made piece but it ought to be properly made and assembled, something the entry level rifles are not.

Consider a semicustom rifle from one of the makers, Track of the Wolf or similar.

 

[Legionnaire]

I'm less than a year into black powder, and have been having a "ball" (pun intended). I'll second mykeal's recommendation of the Lyman Trade Rifle. Bought mine for $305 delivered from Third Generation Shooting Supply. It has been both reliable and deer-hunting-accurate out of the box. I'm now beginning to work on tuning an accuracy load by experimenting with different powder charges and patch thicknesses. No doubt there are finer rifles out there, but I've been very satisfied thus far.

 

[Pancho]

I second Mykeal's comments and would like to add that beginning muzzleloading with a flintlock is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool to learn to swim. You probably will survive it but you probably will never enjoy swimming.

 

[arcticap]

For $218.99 shipped, a Traditions Deer hunter flintlock is a really good price for an entry level rifle. Busyhands94 built the similar Traditions Frontier flintlock rifle from a kit and he thinks it's the best gun ever.

http://www.marinensports.com/product_info.php?products_model=R36108150-Pap

Here's a short video of a Traditions Kentucky flintlock rifle being fired:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZISW2DF6Ga0

 

[Noz]

The single most frustrating firearm I have ever owned was a Pedersoli flintlock. After fighting it far a WHILE I found a sucker and traded it off. He spent more than the original purchase price getting a lock that would actually fire the gun with some regularity.

Never buy an "entry level" flintlock, life's too short.

 

[Spec ops Grunt]

So what about those Lyman rifles?

Maybe Inexpensive is the wrong term, I mean $500-$700 range.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Concur with Mykeal. Go with a Lyman. If you don't mind used, they may be even less expensive.

 

[arcticap]

The Italian made Pedersoli guns are some of the most popular factory production rifles in the $500 - $700 price range.

Cabela's sells several Pedersoli flintlock models under their own label:

1. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...%3BSearch-All+Products&x=0&y=0&Ntt=flintlocks

2. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...%3BSearch-All+Products&x=0&y=0&Ntt=flintlocks

3. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...%3BSearch-All+Products&x=0&y=0&Ntt=flintlocks

Cherry's Fine Guns is a larger Pedersoli Distributor:

Page 1:

http://www.cherrys.com/ped_rif1.htm

Page 2:

http://www.cherrys.com/ped_rif2.htm

Dixie Gun Works is another Pedersoli distributor that sells several different brands:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_92_186_190&osCsid=bd9dadce013a37d874cf6b3acb396a08

Middlesex Village Trading Company sells economical smoothbore flintlocks that are made in India. The locks spark very well but the triggers can be stiff and heavy which reflect their lower price. The wood stocks tend to be soft but the guns are quite authentic in design. A lot of historical reenactors buy them and generally they are a good value for the money.

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/

TVM makes semi-custom flintlocks using American parts. $500 - $700 buys a parts kit that would need to be completed. Their finished guns will cost more but they do have a very good reputation for building quality guns. A person might wait 6 months to receive a completed gun from them after ordering one.

http://www.avsia.com/tvm/

Sitting Fox also offers parts kits and will also build to your specifications using American parts. The price of each gun is negotiated individually. You never know, Ray Franks may be able to offer you something in your price range. One way to save money is to buy a fully completed gun in the white. The buyer would then need to apply the finishing stain to both the stock and the barrel himself.

http://www.sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/intro.php

Traditions sells 2 Spanish made flintlocks in the $500 - $700 price range:

1. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/...h-50-cal-flintlock-action-rifle.aspx?a=457385

2. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/traditions-pennsylvania-flintlock-rifle.aspx?a=264886

 

[[email protected]]

I would take a good American made Thompson Center Flintlock Hawken, You
should fine one used for under 400.00 Here's one for 325.00. Not a Hawken,
but looks good. There are lots more out there. http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...topics/3857385/Thompson_Center_Pa_Hunter_Flin

 

[Skinny 1950]

I bought a used Pedersoli Queen Anne flint pistol for $250 and it is a joy to shoot and easy to clean.. I had about 50 shots in a row with no failure to fire. When it did fail I moved the flint off square a bit and have about 30 shots in a row no problems.
I thought the flinter would be a pain but it is as reliable as percussion caps that I also use.

 

[alsask]

A Lyman was my first black powder rifle and a flintlock to boot. Reading postings on this site for flintlock tips made everything go smoothly. I would recomend the Lymans Blackpowder Handbook to buy as well. It has hundreds of loads and chrono data, plus the basics on care and feeding of black powder guns.

 

[Busyhands94]

the Traditions Frontier rifle was my first flintlock (well, and my only flintlock) it didn't take me too long to figure the thing out! it's easy to use and easy to shoot. pretty reliable too. and, it will digest Jim Shockey's Gold substitute if real black isn't available. with a 360 grain Lee improved Minnie ball behind 80 grains of black powder i can make plastic milk jugs really pop open!

Sincerely, Levi Hawken Dabney

 

[malpaismike]

Hello the camp! I always considered the flintlock the ultimate survival weapon, assuming, of course, you can hunt up sources for sulphur and lead. Personally, I have relied on bp cartridge for my cas entertainment, with dallies into percussion a la ROAs for big matches [secret to getting a trophy is choosing your category]. My .02, ymmv.
Malpais Mike
AZ Frontiersman State Champ 2009

 

[Pete D.]

Lyman

The Lyman Great Plains Flint gun is, hands down, the best value in muzzleloading.
Three shots at 100 yards. Stock barrel and sights. .50 cal Lyman Great Plains Rifle:

Pete

 

[Old Cannonballs]

I love my Lyman Trade rifle.