Used Traditions Flintlock at pawn shop

So I really am trying to save up for a decent (first) flintlock. I like my Traditions Hawken Percussion (50cal) just fine, but really want my first flinter.

Calling around and my local store has a used one (Traditions Hunter) for just under $150. I don't know if that is just too good to pass up.

If I go check it out, to make sure its not just going to be a wall hanger, what can I look for? Is there any way to gauge the condition without bringing a ram rod and some patches?

Be nice.....

Make sure it’s not loaded before doing anything. Use the ramrod or one of the pawn shop’s cleaning rods.

Bring a bore light if you have one, or a light that you can see down the bore a bit. A lot of rust and crud, walk. Does the lock seem to function? Exterior rust?

Have never owned a Traditions flintlock, but have heard of some having issues with them, while others love them. At under $150, why not buy it if it has most of the parts and the barrel isn’t a tomato stake. Can’t buy a decent lock for that.

Bring a ram rod and some patches. But for under $150 can you get hurt too bad?

THBailey said:

Bring a ram rod and some patches. But for under $150 can you get hurt too bad?

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I bet ya you get a shooter for not much money, it would have to be awfully crapped out not to be worth the price.

Bring a flint 5/8" and a leather wrap to see if it sparks. Those Traditions locks are small. They need a small flint.

Dang
I went to check it out and it was actually in mint condition but it was Composite stock.

It was an “assault” flintlock ! Lol

Offer $100 and you have a flinter to get started with if they take the offer Then see if you can find a wood stock.

Kansas Jake said:

Offer $100 and you have a flinter to get started with if they take the offer Then see if you can find a wood stock.

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I agree … at worst case, you have a less than gorgeous flinter. If you're handy with tools, you can restock it yourself: the very best tools are the ones you make for yourself.

By way of warning (to paraphrase the little green Star Wars fellow): Once rocks banged have you, forever will they dominate your range time.

There is something magic about a flint lock which I just don't get with a percussion system.

Good luck, and

Make Good Smoke

The Traditions Deerhunter flinters don't look like much but mine has been reliable. I use it mostly to introduce beginners to flintlocks because it is short and light. I have another Traditions flinter from over 30 years ago that has always been reliable and accurate. Traditions sometimes get a bad rap but mine have been fine. If the one you are looking at is in good shape, you'll never get a flintlock for less money. Good luck.
Jeff

You could always buy it, use it for a while, then dump it and get probably more than you paid for it.

A friend brought one of those guns over to the house a while back, composite stock and all. I was surprised how well the little lock worked, plenty of sparks, the gun was very accurate as well.

A friend of mine bought one new about 10 years ago. It was a Traditions Hawken Woodsman in flint, .50 cal. Brought it to me and first thing I noticed was the touch hole being 100% buried below the pan. Could not even see it. He took a die grinder to it and significantly lowered the pan. Musta worked, he shot a moose that fall with it!
Walk

I say save your money for a rifle that will please you more in the long haul.

Bring a ram rod and some patches. But for under $150 can you get hurt too bad?

The answer is a definite "YES!!!!!!!!!"

That happens a lot with used ML'ers. Either their bores are like sewer pipes, or they are perfect, indicating they were shot just a few times, and the owner decided that ML'er shooting involved too much hassle. The market for them is not terribly robust, so deals on lower end guns abound. Not so much so with the upper end stuff.

What you have is a decent lower end starter gun. So long as the frizzen sparks ok, and the TH is reasonably close to the right place, everything else can be made to work around that.