Best lock made today

[Rifleman1776]

I’d put Caywood locks made by Mike Rowe in the #1 spot!

But I heard that Mike left Caywood Gunmakers?

It's been a number of years since Kiwi left Danny. Where he is now, I don't know, nor have I any info on the quality of current locks from Caywood.

 

[tenngun]

My L&R was one of the best locks I had ever seen. I had a Davis that was useless, sent it back and got a replacement that was great... so it goes.
Chambers are very good and I’ve never heard any one complain in any way about them,

 

[wattlebuster]

Not having firsthand knowledge of locks by Mr. Roller, I’d put Caywood locks made by Mike Rowe in the #1 spot!

But I heard that Mike left Caywood Gunmakers? Are their current build locks just as good? ... should be ”˜excellent’ ... in place of ”˜good’ by the way, and hopefully they still are.

I’ve seen Chambers locks assembled by someone else besides Jim or the true craftsmen in CLA ... and the results are like those of the ”˜loose & rusty’ locks - hit or miss.

Ive got 3 Caywood locks that were purchased after Mike left Caywood an They are right there with Chambers in my opinion. I have so much confidence in them that when I had Don Bruton put one in my most used deer rifle an a Caywood is in my spare deer rifle just in case I do something stupid like fall on it an break the wrist like I did on my turkey gun a few yrs back

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I had at least 20 flintlocks at one time. Locks from all different makers, cheap and well respected. To an extent, it is like a ford-chevy-dodge thing. But none of them run at racetracks unless tweaked and modified. Had a few older rifles and pistols with junky locks. Probably the most impressive for ease and speed, was a North Star lock from Curly Gostomski. Even stranger was the fact that I used the same flint in that gun for several seasons of small game and infrequent match shooting. That lock definitely did not eat flints.

Also had a cheap Indian flintlock pistol that had a light trigger pull and would light up the neighborhood when it sparked. The person that sold the gun, told me the lock had been tweaked by a gunsmith in Virginia. It showed.

Had L&R's Chamber's Silers, Davis, and a few Dixie, Spanish, Italian, German and Japanese locks. Never had an original in good enough shape to try. No matter which of the better locks folks recommend, they need tweaking to reach their best potential. The German flint pistol, works great for a production lock. Just that the aluminum lock plate is bizarre.

Another thing that many do not consider is the fit between the trigger and the lock sear. Had a two guns with single triggers that went off as lightly and easily as a set DST. On one the trigger was so light it would have been considered too light by many. Also had guns with good locks on which the triggers were slightly misplaced and even with double set triggers the locks were slower to be tripped. Might as well been a five pound trigger pull on a Spanish pistol.

 

[ZUG]

What is the best lock in your opinion that is available commercially.

I think the best lock is independant of manufacturer but totally dependent on the individual assembler and their committment to doing a quality job. I have been building for over 50 years and have used locks from all the main manufacturers. Those locks have ranged from excellent to non-functioning from each of the manufacturers. No matter whose, or which model lock I buy, I consider it to be a kit which will need some "smithing" to bring it to a top level of performance.

This is "spot on" info. I have a Chambers Colonial Va lock purchased from Jim and it is the most perfect lock I have ever saw or used (never saw or held a Roller lock). I don't know who assembled it but their workmanship was fantastic.

 

[fleener]

I have several Roller locks, even one that is left handed for one of my boys.

Bob is not really making locks anymore. He has a few on his bench, but he has stated that he is not taking orders.

Fleener

 

[bigburk]

The French Trade Gun kit I ordered from Clay Smith arrived with a MG lock and it has been flawless. I lost the frizzen screw during assembly and Larry shipped me a new one free of charge. I would definitely by another one of his locks.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have several Roller locks

:bow: :bow: :bow:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I had a Davis that was useless, sent it back and got a replacement that was great...

My :cursing: Davis had a bad frizzen, both in design and, in their own words, "cast with the wrong [steel] powder". They would not replace, I had to pay for another. Did I say that made me :cursing: :cursing: :cursing: ?

 

[Pukka Bundook]

For me, the best of the bunch are the Chambers round faced locks, either English or Virginia, (same lock in essence,) Or, the Early Ketland.
(same guts again pretty well)
Not built newer styles, so haven't tried his late Ketland yet.

Had Davis, and sent them back.