Cock alignment

[ppb]

On this build, the cock and frizzen were offset from each other. Enough so that it was difficult/ aggravating to get the flint aligned and be securely set in the cock jaws.

I made a spacer thick enough to get better alignment of the cock, flint, and frizzen and it seems to work better. This is the first time I've done this sort of thing - don't know what to expect...
Comments?

ppb

 

[Grenadier1758]

If you are getting plenty of sparks being scattered in the pan, expect reliable shooting performance.

 

[ppb]

If you are getting plenty of sparks being scattered in the pan, expect reliable shooting performance.

Thanks for your response.
It sparks pretty good.

 

[rich pierce]

It’s common, almost a rule, that the cock does not align with the frizzen. This is not a problem unless the shooter positions a long flint dead center in the cock.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The spacer holding the cock out will drag between the plate and cock. That will slow the fall of the cock and reduce the sparks, also the square of the tumbler and cock is reduced putting added stress on the joint. I’d remove the spacer and determine why the cock isn’t in the correct position.

 

[hawkeye2]

100% with what Phil says! Putting a spacer between the lock plate and the cock is like putting STP in an engine to stop a rod knock. The most significant thing the spacer adds is friction to slow the cock. Locks were never designed to have anything in there.

 

[ppb]

Phil & Hawkeye,

The spacer adds no friction to the device. It was carefully fitted to seat against the round shoulder behind the square post where the cock is mounted. As you can see in the image, that shoulder protrudes from the lock plate which in turn also prevents the cock from contacting the lock plate.

Rich Pierce may have the correct perspective - that's just the way it is...

On the other hand, issues like this may be one of the reasons custom locks and those like the ones you can get from Kibler are gaining favor.

 

[EC121]

A friend and I ordered some $400 locks. He got his first and after I saw his, I canceled my order. The cock was bent/twisted so bad that the flint would have to hang out 1/4" to miss the side flat. The maker said it was normal. My mental answer to that was: "Not on the lock I'm paying $400 for." A slight bend doesn't hurt, but this was extreme.
Clamp it in a vise and heat it up a little and twist it straighter. That little nub of tumbler shaft sticking out will cause more problems than a bent cock.

 

[Pete G]

I would be concerned about the stop on the cock missing the top of the plate.

 

[Fly103]

my Kibler SMR is like this, but with the cock seemingly twisted slightly inboard. Its no problem though, I just set the flint in the cock semi tight and then lower the cock and flint against a closed frizzen to square everything up before final tightening of the jaw screw.

 

[ppb]

I would be concerned about the stop on the cock missing the top of the plate.

Your comment made me stop and think about that - so I took a picture of it and here it is. It doesn't miss, but...
... it's questionable.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Don't think I have ever seen a kit gun with all the parts fitting and no need to machine anything. Muzzleloaders really do not lend themselves well to mass production. If you want a really good gun, hand-fitting is often needed. That said, I have several guns, some of which were assembled as kits that fit well enough to work reliably. More than that I don't really need and can't afford anyway.

 

[ppb]

my Kibler SMR is like this, but with the cock seemingly twisted slightly inboard. Its no problem though, I just set the flint in the cock semi tight and then lower the cock and flint against a closed frizzen to square everything up before final tightening of the jaw screw.

I have no issues with any of my Kibler locks.
Yours is a pragmatic approach and one I may get back to.
It may turn out that using a different sized flint could be the answer. I just don't know, but I'm not happy with the way this one works.
Thanks for you input!

 

[JackP]

I bought a lock for my Fusil de Chasse build and the cock was so far off center I sent it back. Got another from same place that was fine. Didn't want to fight it for the rest of my live.

Jack

 

[RobertE]

One of my locks was exactly like the OPs. It was aggravating to constantly be tightening the flint as it would push itself out of the jaws. Its an excellent sparker though, and I always received comments from other shooters on how fast it fired, so I was a little leary about messing with it.
After procrastinating long enough, eventually I fixed it by heating the cock and bending it slightly. I also punching sharp teeth into the cock and top jaw. Something I should of done in the first place.

 

[James Kibler]

I agree with what Rich and others have said. Unless this is at a huge extreme, it's not problem at all. If you look at originals it's almost a rule that the cock is bent or twisted to help with this alignment. There's enough problems around us, so it's good not to invent more!

 

[akroguy]

I have a couple of locks like that. My symmetry OCD has a problem with it but by clamping the rock off to the right a little, it sparks just fine. I just try to not look at it and focus on the front sight!

 

[Mulemauler]

Every Siler left hand lock I've ever gotten is that way. The lock plate has the pan attached and the issue could have been corrected on the molds but guess no one cared enough to fix it. That said, even though only half of the flint hits the frizzen they have all sparked well and owners never had a problem.

 

[ppb]

Many thanks to all who have commented! Using your input, it appears likely the spacer could cause more headaches than cure. I appreciate the input and willingness to forward your experience.
You are a persuasive group.
Thanks again!

ppb

 

[Flintandsteel]

Ppl, yeah, eventually that cock will batter the manure out of itself, AND the lock plate, and if left, possibly destroy the tumbler.
An easy fix, if you must, is to heat and bend the cock To align better.
Hope this helps.