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How do you cock your lock?

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I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the cock on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the cock with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks
 
I have tried both. I feel like I have more control using the palm, but that's just me on my early Lancaster rifle. On my pistol I have used my thumb, the cock is much smaller and my thumb fits well.
Use what feel best and gives you good control. . No need to go off Half-Cocked... sorry I couldn't resist the pun.
 
I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the cock on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the cock with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks
Oh....I see what you're asking. It all depends on
  • the size of the lock
  • the strength of the mainspring.
On my rifle, I simply use my thumb. On my French fusil, I use my whole hand.
 
Interesting question.

When at the range, I use my cupped hand and pull back on the cock screw with the hook of my pinky finger. When I'm hunting, I'm usually sitting down, so I it's easier to use my thumb.
 
i use the left hand cupped and hook the cock with the bottom of my pinky on the top jaw. on percussion i use the left hand much the same but with the outer pad of my palm hooking the spur.
barely have what i need to pull the set trigger in my right hand most the time. Aurthur's right us you know.
 
Oh....I see what you're asking. It all depends on
  • the size of the lock
  • the strength of the mainspring.
On my rifle, I simply use my thumb. On my French fusil, I use my whole hand.
That makes sense, most of the time I see folks using their hand it is on trade guns and muskets with large locks and not so much on smaller locked guns.
 
I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the cock on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the cock with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks
I really had to think about this…the way I usually carry my flintlock, in the field, is with the gun cradled in my left arm, and gripped in my left hand. The firearm is angled across my body with my right hand gripping across the wrist of the rifle with my right thumb resting across the frizzen.

When I shoulder the gun, my left arm dips under the gun, as my left hand rotates and grips the forestock. Then as I bring the but-stock up into position, my thumb slips over the frizzen, ensuring it is closed, and cocks the gun.

When the firearm comes into position against the muscle of my right arm, and my eyes are lining up the sights…the firearm is cocked.

Great for snap shooting rising pheasants and quail. It’s gotten me more than 1 elk, when I clumsily wandered, unaware, into a bedding area…you get that split second when the elk stands to see what disturbed it, before bolting.
 
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I was never comfortable using my thumb on either a flint or percussion, it just seems awkward. I most often hook my pinky/middle fingers on my right hand around the cock/hammer to pull it back.
Me too, seems I’ve always done it that way but pistols I cock with the lower side of my left palm.
 
I know what your thinking, what kind of dumb question is this but I've always thought about this but never really heard a definitive answer. How do you pull back the cock on your flintlock? Do you simply use your thumb like any other gun with a hammer or do you grab a hold of the cock with your hand to pull it back? I see people do both. Is there a right or wrong way or just a matter of personal preference? Thanks
some people even reach over with there left inner palm to cock it. it looks very odd to me.
 
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