Calling All flintlock/Percussion Experts

I have been wondering this for a few months and I can't seem to find an answer on the internet. The question is; can percussion guns be converted back to flintlock (dealing with a traditions PA Rifle)? Because I have been looking for a gun to represent what the early mountain men would use back in the rev war era that I could also use for normal hunting. Because I did find one that is reasonable priced that I am considering. But if not, then I do have another gun that I know is available though it wouldn't be as accurate at hunting(smoothbore).


Thanks,

Samuel

Probably,

Is it the twist rate in most flinters you don't like?

No, just the asking price for the guns are so high, and the guns I can afford aren't right for that period unless I buy used, which both of the ones I'm considering are.

Ahh, gotcha. They are really high priced nowadays.

You'd need a gunsmith re-do the touch hole for a liner and buy a lock which run close 200 bucks. So just guessing, you'd get 3 bills in converting it unless you already have the lock.

yes this was covered today over on the muzzle loader forum

it is a lot of work but it can be done , not a simple parts swap

The other issue is is that I've been trying to find one on Dixie Gun Works but they don't have any for that model (and I know traditions doesn't sell them individually) so if I did get the gun I wouldn't know where to get a lock. But I didn't think of the liner when thinking of if it could be switched

haha, So I guess it just be cheaper to buy a flintlock anyways.

Yea, in the long run you'd be better off buying another gun. On the bright side...you'll have another gun to shoot!

Itd cost more than it's worth.

What about just purchasing a barrel already set up with touch hole? I have a .50 cal pedersoli frontier and looked at going up to a .54, iirc it wasnt all that expensive. Is the gun you have now a small lock or large?

I didn't think of that, but I don't currently have a muzzleloader, which is partially the reason for this post. But I will look into it and see what I'll find.

The other gun that I am considering is a Indian Trade Musket(smoothbore) from a person I have been in contact with concerning black powder guns. For he is in no rush to sell them though he is willing to part with one to me since he knows I would take care of it type of thing(he got two because of a friend passing).

And the PA being from someone on this website(and it being percussion).

I'm pretty sure the PA rifle has a drum and nipple set up that you can jus unscrew and screw in a touchhole liner. Call traditions and see if they will sell you a lock for the PA rifle. That way there would be minimal fitting if you decided it was not too expensive. I was going to do it to a flintlock I have to convert it to percussion. Bob

I'm far from an expert. But I've made enough mistakes to have some hindsight...

L&R makes "replacement" locks for some of the more popular production guns... If I were going to buy a new lock that would be the way I would go instead of one from Traditions. The locks made for off-the-shelf production guns are the reason flintlocks get a bad rap. Not sure there's a replacement lock for the gun you were talking about, but you can take a look and see... You might call Track and ask them too. They're pretty helpful.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/759/1


I would also take a good look at the smoothbore. We all have a love affair with the Longrifle... But smoothbores were far more common for the average person. They were cheaper, more versatile, and put more meat on the table than the longrifle ever dreamt of. Flintlocks can be finicky, and smoothbores more so. But if you do your part and learn the intricacies of the gun, it will do its part. I'm still learning about mine.

Like I said, I'm not an expert but I'll be happy to help with any questions you might have. Feel free to PM me.

Mike

A Traditions Pa Rifle isn't really correct for the period either, but they don't look too bad. There is no rifle correct for "what the early mountain men would use back in the rev war era." The Mtn men era is usually considered to be Rocky Mtn fur trade or 1825 to 1840 or so as compared with 1775 to 1780. The guns produced during those times are quite different but many older guns were in use also so the rev war era gun would still be appropriate for the later period. People used what they had.

Custom and semi custom longrifles are quite expensive but can be had for about 30% less than the listed prices at Track of the Wolf. Track's markup in their consignment sales is significant. Tenn Valley Muzzloaders is a semi-custom shop with a product that is a good value. Still a lot more expensive than most modern rifles.

I don't find smoothbores to be particularly finickey as compared to rifles. Keep in mind that many are not equipped with a rear sight.

Exactly .












What are you looking for?

I'll light a fire in ya so you go buy one!!

Here are some Pa. guns I have that my granddad bought during the depression from farmers he inspected milk for. Not as old as you want, these are from the 1800's.






Not the best t pics, its dark in that room. That's a .44 and none of them are "cherry" but I have shot them all. He had a bunch more that other family members received.

The lower double barrel is a 10gauge that I keep telling myself to clean up good and shoot a Turkey with. Maybe someday.

Well I wasn't thinking of buying a antique gun but depending on what the asking price is, all I can do is drool with my small pocketbook.

That's if I read you right.

No, just posted them to get ya motivated to buy a muzzleloader, any muzzleloader.

I looked up the Traditions Pa. gun your talking about and its a good looking gun. I like that style stock because I like alot of drop and the old timers knew how to build a gun with drop. They are the sweetest gun to shoulder there is. Modern guns, in-lines and Hawkins style guns feel like you have a 2x4 you're trying to shoulder.

Here's a Traditions kit gun I put together 40 years ago, it was my first muzzleloader.
It shoulders nice, and I think they still sell this kit. Kentucky??

You are correct, and I have considered getting that kind but due to the length of the barrel, I decided that it would be my last resort since it wasn't too accurate for the time I am trying to portray. Though I know hunting with it would be easier.

But I'll probably just get the musket that I mentioned earlier in the forum.
Here is what the musket is
Musket

Though it definitely won't be that much, it will(I'm pretty sure) be the same model

That's a good looker!

The original and my kit gun are both 34" so that one is longer. Spendy too!

Well it will be worn

Very nice looking guns. I’ve sure enjoyed this thread, thanks folks.


B

Nice guns hippie.

Check out Jim Kibler's muzzleloader kits. You can build a colonial style rifle or smoothbore rifle or Southern Mountain Rifle. Very little fitting required and good quality kits that you will enjoy shooting for a long time. This was my first attempt at assembling a kit rifle - he has Youtube videos for about each step. If I can put one together, I think anyone can.

Here's the link to Kibler's site. https://www.jimkibler.net/

Second Jim Kibbler Kits

X2!

And where is Nessy with those beauties he owns?

I did get a new .40 caliber rifle last week. Sassafras stock - I call the rifle "Sassy"

I wish I had that kind of money!

*

Moosetrot

He can get pretty close to an early fur trade era mountain man with a PA rifle... Hugh Glass had one made by Angstadt in Berks County. It was apparently a nice enough gun that he tracked down Fitzgerald to get it back.

Even the Hawken as we know it today isn't really correct for the mountain men... The half stock came near the end of the Mtn Man era and is more correct for 1840's to 1850's era... Oregon Trail and westward expansion period.

A guy can get by with quite a bit iwith his persona if he does some careful research into the era he wants to portray.

Mike

True very true.

62 cal Smoothy on top (Tulle de Chasse ) 42 inch Getz Barrel

45 Cal on the bottom...42 inch Green Mountain Barrel ....shoots a .451 ball like nobody’s business

Just to get yah going !

Here's another purty one: