New to flintlock shooting. What to buy?

Back here in Europe, we have little access to the excellent flintlock manufacturers and craftsmen you have the other side of the Pond. At least, without crippling shipping charges and acres of paperwork for importation. We do, however, have several factory makers of flintlock guns selling ready - to - go flintlock rifles and smoothbores. Investarm, Pedersoli, Armi - sport etc. Currently my rifles are all caplocks made by Investarm and Jukar, which I am happy with. But I would like at least one flintlock to fill my gun room. Which ready to go flintlocks would you recommend for me? I am aware that flintlocks are more complex and higher maintainance than caplocks.

Of the ones you mention I would recommend the Pedersoli. I have 2 of them and although they are not "perfect" representations of the school of rifle builds, they are close and mine are very reliable and accurate. I have a Pennsylvania Dixie in 45 cal and a Blue ridge Frontier in 54 cal.

Not sure what style you are looking for but at least some of the Pedersoli military repros use a conventional flat breach plug rather than the patent breach. While both work a patent breach on a flint is meh. Having said that the Investarms flint rifles with a hooked breach greatly aids in being able to get that patent breach clean via removing the barrel and immerse in cleaning water/solution. Just my opine for what it's worth. I don't have a Ped. mil. rifle but do have a couple of hooked breach flint rifles and non-hooked with patent breaches and don't/won't shoot the non-hooked anymore.

Thank you gentlemen, looks like I will be going down the Pedersoli route.

Sir Boniface Harrison said:

Thank you gentlemen, looks like I will be going down the Pedersoli route.

Click to expand...

The first question is how are the laws concerning rifled pieces where you are in France? The Pedersoli Frontier rifle is a pretty reliable piece. ALL flintlocks have interesting characteristics, but the Frontier is quite manageable. I'd suggest one in .54.

IF like the UK your region frowns on anything rifled, then the muskets are a good choice for reliable ignition and durability. The French 1763 Leger/1766 Charleville of course would be appropriate for France, or the Brown Bess if you wanted something British. The 1763 Leger/1766 Charleville does come in a kit, which normally costs less than the finished gun, as both muskets are rather "pricey" as we say here in The States.

Less expensive would be the Indian Trade Musket, which is a sort of copy of a Northwest Trade Gun. Also available in a kit. I have one myself, and they are reliable ignition, and good shooters.

LD

There are still many fine old original guns available in all of Europe. Personally, I would go that route. We have members here from wester European countries who might be able to help you find an original.

Pedersoli website:
https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/it/
Language selector upper right.
Several distributors in France.

And when you get the gun, you need to read and print this out.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/flintlocks-how-to-shoot-them.38886/
It helped me immensely.

The Doc is out now.

In 2022, I bought a Pedersoli from a distributor in Poland. Prices vary quite a bit and sometimes they offer steep discounts, as this one was discounted them. Mine was not a flintlock, but a caplock Rocky Mountain in 54. The fit and finish was good. Unfortunately, a replica Remington revolver I bought last year was nicely made, but the QC was very poor with very loose dovetails -- the front sight literally fell out when I pulled it out of the bag in the box. I will not be buying another Pedersoli product.

The problem I had was with getting powder. In Poland, nobody will sell a powder without an EU firearms permit. However, a muzzleloader does not qualify for an EU firearms permit. The process for getting an EU firearms permit, for the moment, is foreclosed to me (long legal issue because of my employer, the reason I am in Poland). Technically, they should sell me powder providing I can show a receipt that I own a blackpowder gun. In practice, no store will sell me powder.

Fortunately for me, I live near the Czech border. The Czech Republic does require sellers to get contact information and proof of ID, but no EU firearms permit is required. So, I bought my powder there. I've read a lot of Poles do the same. Powder in the Czech Republic seems to be less expensive too, although cost of tolls and fuel add up quickly.

My point of that long tangent is to ask if you know how you will get black powder?