I had a blue ridge .45 flinter. Was not impressed. I sold it, still have a few long time Traditions flinter .50, couple cap lock hawkins .50. Luck of the draw I guess. I have not owned a Shenandoah but would opt for it over the blue ridge if I had to choose (site unseen anyway?). None of my traditions pducts have given me any issues and the traditions flinter I kept was more reliable than the blue ridge. HOWSOEVER....I sold the blue ridge a few years before I found you guys so if I had tweaked a bit just might have changed my mind :hmm: