Hot dang....

had a big buck in my sights and rifle wouldn’t fire! Was wondering maybe how many of you chaps may have been a victim of either to FITP or trigger malfunction?

Sorry for your unfortunate experience. I know we live in a world acronyms now (to my regret), but I have to ask what FITP stands for.

Best regards, Skychief.

flash in the pan?

Where ya hunting?

Thanks Rodney

More info please. So what happened? Flash in the pan? Gun specs. please.

I regret to admit I had experienced this more than once. Years ago I built a rifle for my son who was small then. He said "shoot a deer with it Daddy". When one of the biggest bucks I've ever had an opportunity with came in close I squeezed the trigger and got "pop" but not discharge. The deer promptly left. Back then I had zero experience with traditional muzzleloaders. I blamed wet powder and leaving the rifle loaded overnight. Since then I have learned that this rifle has its flaws and needs a specific "ritual" when loading. If you do this it goes off every time. My son and I shoot it at the range a lot without problem. Well, just this summer my son was told by a landowner he could try to get a javelina. The critters crossed a certain area at a certain time, and that time was fast approaching. My son quickly went to the spot and loaded. He did not do the "ritual". The javelinas came and he got a "pop". He turned and said, "Dad I knew this was going to happen because I didn't load it like usual". Certainly one of the downfalls of a quirky rifle.
On my first hunt with a flintlock two years ago I aimed at the elk and squeezed only to get a clack. The elk looked around but stayed. I cocked and squeezed again for another clack. Elk remained. I re-primed the pan with the rifle still shouldered. This time it went off and I got my elk. Once again I have since figured out exactly how to manage this rifle to be sure of a discharge. These things happen and it is disheartening. Figure out what went wrong and keep from repeating it. Sometimes you just have to figure it wasn't meant to be. You'll get 'em next time.

Yes, I have.

azmntman said:

Where ya hunting?

Click to expand...

Bet that is classified

Several times but the most memorable was a capper and a fox. I was in thick timber and noticed as I crept through a curled up fox a sleep. I waited about an hour for him to rise and walk off. Up went the gun and......pop!

I don't know what FITP is either but with no more explanation than was given, it sounds like the stock swelled due to moisture in the air and is now rubbing on the tip of the sear bar. Remove the lock and look in the sear mortice. If you find a smooth somewhat shiney spot that is an indication of where the sear tip is rubbing. Scrape this spot off the wood deep enough to clear the sear tip. Or grind a little off the sear tip. The triggers should now work fine.
FITP Flash in the pan, thanks Rodney. This is a little more complicated. If your shooting one of your patent breech Hawkens with a smaller powder chamber the powder could be bridging when you pour it in and none will be in the powder chamber. Guaranteed Flash in the pan. Try tilting your barrel when you pour in the powder and bump the stock good with the palm of your hand. You can stick a vent pick in the hole and if you feel the powder grains your good to go.

Been there done that, flashed the pan on a good buck year before last...

Hopefully our paths will cross again someday...

Went walking into the deer woods early one morning and, as is my usual practice, had the flintlock primed and at half cock with the leather"hammer stall" in place. Settling down in my chair I started my wait. A bit later I spotted an especially fine 8 or maybe a 10 pointer coming my way. I couldn't believe it when he stopped in front of me, broadside about 20 yards away. I removed the leather safety, aimed, pulled the trigger and got a "clack". He looked my way and just stood there. I immediately saw that the prime had leaked out on my trip through the brush..thick brush. With this big buck staring at me I attempted to re-prime. I got the prime in just as he decided he didn't like what he saw. From then on I've always checked the prime after taking a stand and periodically through the morning.

Another time I was in a tree stand - a lot younger then - and nodded off to sleep as the calm Georgia morning turned warm. Since I "hunt" with my ears as much as my eyes, a slight "rustle" snapped me awake. Straight ahead of me was a bobcat walking away from my tree stand directly to the front. It was maybe 25 or 30 yards away. I silently cocked the .45, slowly raised it to my shoulder and sighted along the iron sights. At the blast smoke obscured everything in that direction. But the sound of thrashing leaves told me the shot was good. I reloaded as quickly as I could and started off after the cat. When I got close I saw that the ball had hit exactly where I'd aimed, the spine at the lower back. Not at all dead but paralyzed in the rear so that tabby had to pull herself along with only the front feet; but she was fast. I stood dumbfounded and fired the rifle into the ground due to my excitement. I started the reloading process as I followed and got closer to scrambling cat. Suddenly kitty turned completely around and came after me! I quickly back-peddled while finishing the quickest reload of my career. Seeing that I was moving farther away the cat turned around again, heading for a brush pile. It was a relief when I hustled and fired the finishing shot. Exactly one week later I took another kitty from that same stand.

Sun City said:

had a big buck in my sights and rifle wouldn’t fire! Was wondering maybe how many of you chaps may have been a victim of either to FITP or trigger malfunction?

Click to expand...

FITP aka Flash In The Pan! I haven't had this problem while hunting....only on occasion when I first started using a flintlock! Basically what it amounts to is....if a good lock is on the rifle and a few things are paid attention to....the 'ole gal' will fire every time!

Good hunting to all!

Sun City said:

had a big buck in my sights and rifle wouldn’t fire! Was wondering maybe how many of you chaps may have been a victim of either to FITP or trigger malfunction?

Click to expand...

I understood this to mean you couldn't get a shot off and was looking for a little assistance. Hope you figured out why your rifle wouldn't fire.