What lock would you use for a custom build

rich pierce said:

A 25-06 won’t do much that a 30-06 can do, and a 30-06 can do things a 25-06 cannot do. Same with .50 and .54.

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Not apples to apples at all. Not to get into too much unmentionable talk, but a .25-06 can do a great deal a .30-06 cannot. And then accomplish almost everything a .30-06 can do as well. Unless you just enjoy 220gr .30 bullets and recoil.

Roundballs are not at all akin to smokeless spitzers and their loadings. For one thing, the powder load is essentially the only changeable factor in a rounball loading. Four 100ths of an inch does not offer any ballistic advantage in roundballs, up or down from .50.

4119Bill said:

I want a hawken half stock flintlock. I want it to a reliable hunting and shooting gun. Thinking I am going to have to build a custom to get what I want.
I actually want it in both 54 and 50 and maybe a smooth bore. My thoughts are build a nice stock and get a good lock. Then have 3 barrels to fit. Am I crazy ?
I originally was looking for a .54 Hawkin style flintlock made by t/c, Lyman, or investarms. Main reason is I want a better lock on it 3/4 vs 5/8 on the traditions.
It seems like there is fewer and fewer flintlock options.
So maybe I should just buy a lock and go from there.

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I’m having a custom Fullstock Hawken built for me…15/16th barrel, .54 calibre. The 36” barrel has been cut down to 33”.


Here’s the lock that I selected:
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/724/1/LOCK-LR-900
It makes sense to have the multi-barrel option, but you might want to go .54 calibre/smoothbore or go .50 calibre/smoothbore…otherwise it’s just redundant.

Personally, .54 calibre/smoothbore would be my choice. The .54 calibre let’s a person hunt elk with a PRB…smoothbore, probably be easiest to get a 28 gauge with a 15/16ths octagon to round barrel

Thinking along the same lines, I was ready to buy a Kibbler, but it looks like there is no estimated time to market for a Hawken style rifle. What I heard was, if and when, Jim brings one to market, it will be a percussion model. A few weeks ago, I visited the Wild Bill museum in Cody Wy. The early Hawkins were all flintlocks. Only later did Hawken produce percussion rifles. I am thinking about getting a Gemmer Flintlock rifle kit by Investarms. They use to make them for Lyman GPR. If the lock in not satisfactory, then I will order an L & R replacement lock. Not too many options these days for quality locks etc. I am also looking for other options and suggestions?

4119Bill said:

I want a hawken half stock flintlock. I want it to a reliable hunting and shooting gun. Thinking I am going to have to build a custom to get what I want.
I actually want it in both 54 and 50 and maybe a smooth bore. My thoughts are build a nice stock and get a good lock. Then have 3 barrels to fit. Am I crazy ?
I originally was looking for a .54 Hawkin style flintlock made by t/c, Lyman, or investarms. Main reason is I want a better lock on it 3/4 vs 5/8 on the traditions.
It seems like there is fewer and fewer flintlock options.
So maybe I should just buy a lock and go from there.

Click to expand...

About 5 months ago, I ordered all my parts for my Fullstock Early Plains Rifle. Took it to a local builder a couple weeks ago. He had me stop by last week to locate the rear site:


He had made a lot of progress on the gun, from the pile of parts that I had dropped off.

Tonight I got the call to come pick it up.

This is a gun that I’ve wanted for many years. .54 calibre Fullstock Flintlock Early Plains Rifle. I’m so tickled right now.

It’s late here, we just got home from a wedding. Poor lighting right now, I’ll post better images in my thread tomorrow.

Edited to Add: Here’s another L&R Lock that is a late English style…it’s essentially the same lock as mine, but with a cock that is shaped like the Harper’s Ferry lock

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/724/1/LOCK-LR-900-D

Rock Home Isle said:

About 5 months ago, I ordered all my parts for my Fullstock Early Plains Rifle. Took it to a local builder a couple weeks ago. He had me stop by last week to locate the rear site:

View attachment 153273
He had made a lot of progress on the gun, from the pile of parts that I had dropped off.

Tonight I got the call to come pick it up.
View attachment 153274
This is a gun that I’ve wanted for many years. .54 calibre Fullstock Flintlock Early Plains Rifle. I’m so tickled right now.

It’s late here, we just got home from a wedding. Poor lighting right now, I’ll post better images in my thread tomorrow.

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I have a similar bit different rifle: "Proud Mary" my .54 Leman. Full stock, 36 inch straight .54 barrel. She's a handful. Made from a Pecatonica parts kit I think.

Only lock Id use is a Chambers, because I own one. The Rice lock is mighty good too.
Had ole man Rice (RIP) tune mine. Even Jim said it was done right.

Roller, Haddaway, Siler in that order. But, sadly, they are no longer available. Next choice would be Chambers or L&R. I have a Siler that has served very well for decades. Most recent rifle is a Chambers which was tuned by Dave Persons. The L&R, while good will benefit from tuning.

I believe that Chambers offers the Siler locks. Kibler locks are considered to be very good.

All locks will benefit from tuning.

When your 25-06 can push a 178gr A-Max 2900fps, then tell me they are the same.
Win mags fear my aught six.

Dont know if its true, but I was told years ago when I build my flinter that parts are easy to get for L&R locks. Not so Chambers. The only place you get them is from Chambers.
Over 15 years shooting the same lock 100s of times. Jim's does me right.

How about keeping to ML's???

nhmoose said:

How about keeping to ML's???

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Fair pint, that...

I just recently acquired this lock that was just sitting in a fellow's parts drawer for the past 42 years. After using just about every production lock available, and always satisfied with most of them, this Roller lock has me in total awe! Like comparing a Timex to a Rolex!


Now I just have to figure out what to build around it!

Captjoel said:

I just recently acquired this lock that was just sitting in a fellow's parts drawer for the past 42 years. After using just about every production lock available, and always satisfied with most of them, this Roller lock has me in total awe! Like comparing a Timex to a Rolex!

View attachment 154051View attachment 154052
Now I just have to figure out what to build around it!

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I know exactly how you feel…I got my lock and started looking it over and was very content.

The lock sparks well, but I was very impressed at how the sparks are directed into the pan

Yup, @Rock Home Isle, you probably don't need powder in the pan to get that lock to set off the main charge.

4119Bill said:

I want a hawken half stock flintlock. I want it to a reliable hunting and shooting gun. Thinking I am going to have to build a custom to get what I want.
I actually want it in both 54 and 50 and maybe a smooth bore. My thoughts are build a nice stock and get a good lock. Then have 3 barrels to fit. Am I crazy ?
I originally was looking for a .54 Hawkin style flintlock made by t/c, Lyman, or investarms. Main reason is I want a better lock on it 3/4 vs 5/8 on the traditions.
It seems like there is fewer and fewer flintlock options.
So maybe I should just buy a lock and go from there.

Click to expand...

If you want a Hawken flintlock, I would suggest you go with a full stock. Go with a Pecatonica stock, and an L&R lock.

I believe that Chambers offers the Siler locks.

Yes, when discussing Siler locks, keep in mind there are/were Silers, then there were Silers and, don't forget, Silers. Actually, as far as I know the original Siler never sold locks. He sold kits with instructions for hardening, tempering, assembly and such. The final result was dependent on the skill of the person who built that kit into a lock. My long rifle, which I used for decades, had a Pete Allen built Siler and it never failed me. In fact I could get ignition about 80% of the time with no primer in the pan. Chambers bought out the Siler brand and makes their own version. And a good one for sure.