Took a young man and friend, Jim, to shoot my Winchester today but also to introduce him to flintlocks.
It started out well.
Then it all went downhill fast.
I had a nightmare getting it to spark reliably. We finished the session but I pointed out that it is typical in that I bring a friend and I have issues after endless stories of reliability!
When I got home I noticed the action of cocking was very gritty. The lock works were gauling. It turns out it was enough to rob the cock of sufficient energy to successfully strike the hammer or frizzen.
After lubricating the lock normal service was resumed.
So if you are suddenly struggling with what is normally a reliable lock just check that it is sufficiently lubricated.
It started out well.
Then it all went downhill fast.
I had a nightmare getting it to spark reliably. We finished the session but I pointed out that it is typical in that I bring a friend and I have issues after endless stories of reliability!
When I got home I noticed the action of cocking was very gritty. The lock works were gauling. It turns out it was enough to rob the cock of sufficient energy to successfully strike the hammer or frizzen.
After lubricating the lock normal service was resumed.
So if you are suddenly struggling with what is normally a reliable lock just check that it is sufficiently lubricated.
