How do you pull back the cock on your flintlock?

[Notchy Bob]

Never thought about it much. Early in the game, I nicked a digit or two on sharp flints. I leaned pretty quickly to just curl my right index finger or right little finger around the top jaw screw and pull back, keeping my other fingers behind the cock.

Notchy Bob

 

[wiscoaster]

.... keeping my other fingers behind the cock.

That sounds like good common sense.

 

[James Dietz]

I never think about it until I try to cock my Perdersoli Queen Anne pistol. It is so hard it hurts my thumb! Thinking about selling or trading it just because of this!

 

[Robert Losekamp]

I have a junky wrist so reach up with my trigger finger rather than the thumb, or take my whole hand off and hook it with my pinky. Less pain that way.

 

[Ed C.]

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

Very personal question. You don't need to know!

 

[DementedMindOfJac]

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

Never thought of it much, but I have documented evidence. Seems I hook the Bird finger on the screw an' haul her back.

 

[earlwb]

Probably with my thumb.

 

[Juice Jaws]

This isn't too far-fetched. The archery guys have discussions on the best way to nock an arrow. Either grab it by the nock and put it directly onto the string with your finger and thumb or grab it in front of the fletching and place the nock on the string as it wavers about.

Yeah but archery guys are weird

 

[Tacitus]

Ek gads, lads! Are we not proper gentlemen? It is the duty of the gun bearer to make ready the rifle prior to presenting it to you.

 

[TDM]

Well, I didn’t think any topic could beat “how do you clean your muzzleloader”, but this thread takes the cake.

 

[Hawk54]

Well, I didn’t think any topic could beat “how do you clean your muzzleloader”, but this thread takes the cake.

Agree. By a long shot. It is like asking, how do you hold your fork when you eat.

 

[Banjoman]

This how Banjoman does it. And by the way, this is a .60 caliber Loyalist Arms Fusil de Chasse. Ain’t sayin’ I’m fer em or agin em, just have one that works okay.

 

[oreclan]

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

No right or wrong way.
I use my thumb and forefinger on the jaw screw usually.
Sometimes I cup my hand and pull the cock back with my small and ring fingers.
On my Cookson doglock Fowler I reverse my hand and pull the cock back with the web of my hand. That way it's easier to get to the dog

 

[FLTaft1948]

What ever way gets the job done (safely) and works well for you! Diff'rent strokes fer diff'rent folks, I'd say.

 

[akroguy]

With my teeth.

-Chuck Norris

 

[Some_Mook]

Agree. By a long shot. It is like asking, how do you hold your fork when you eat.

Fork???

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

Hunting many years ago during primitive firearms season (percussion rifles) one of the guys I was hunting with had his right handed percussion rifle in his left hand and was swinging it has he walked; fortunately he was in front. As the rifle swung forward the hammer caught on his hip pocket pulling it far enough back so that when it dropped it had enough energy to discharge the rifle.

Last time I hunted with him.

i would have pooped in my pants while running

 

[2 shots]

With my teeth.

-Chuck Norris

wrong....chuck would only have to look at it.

 

[appalichian hunter]

With my teeth.

-Chuck Norris

Everyone knows that was not chuckie, it was JOHN WAYNE

 

[2 shots]

the DUKE