replacing lock on Pedersoli Kentucky

[FlinterNick]

Yes, it is. A sole can be attached to the frizzen, but it takes an experinced gunsmith to do it. I hear some can re-harden the frizzen.

An older worn down frizzen would sometimes have an old high carbon steel file welded to it, unless you’re experienced in welding and have the equipment I wouldn’t go for it. It can be Expensive project for a gunsmith who might otherwise try to convince you to just buy a new frizzen, much easier just to get a new frizzen as cast, and fit then case harden. You would need to measure the pan area and the frizzen pan cover and height.

 

[FlinterNick]

The last third world production gun I bought (over 25 years ago) Was a Pedersoli piece. I bought it new from the good folks at Dixie Gun works.
I got 8 shots from the frizzen, and it went flying.
Pedersoli does NOT make replacement parts. So the good folks at Dixie custom made me a frizzen. Before I installed it I measured the frizzen spring tension, in stead of 12-15lb it was over 300lbs.

That was the last production gun I ever bought. In fact My EX asked for it in the divorce, and I gave it to her, after dumping 100s of dollars into it.

Go get a Chambers kit, and built it, and hang that one on the wall, or give it to someone you do not like.

IF you continue to work on it, it will turn you away from this firearms.

2005 I bought parts from Muzzle loader Supplies and along with a Chamber's Late Ketlend lock, the fastest lock made at the timer. Any part of this rifle is superior to any production gun period.

I haven’t bought a factory gun since Miruko was making reproduction Bess’s and Charlevilles. Their guns were incredibly reliable. I still use mine barrel still looks new. Stocks on the other hand have seen better days.

Nick

 

[OldJoe212]

Does anyone know of a reliable lock that works as a replacement on the Pedersoli Kentucky long rifle?

I found a lightly used .45 and have enjoyed shooting it a lot. Only problem is the lock does not ignite the primer reliably. I lightened the frizzen spring, to no effect. Took a fine file to the face of the frizzen, also to no effect. It might fire three times in a row if I use a brand new TC synthetic flint, carefully mounted... but not always. Rarely does it fire twice in a row, no matter what I have done. At this moment, it will not fire at all, after cleaning and carefully installing a new flint.

Dry firing it in the dark reveals that few sparks make it to the pan. They go out to the side, as though the frizzen is deflecting them. I have a Lyman that fires reliably... in the dark, you can see that it's sparks go right into the pan.

I called Jim Chambers, and spoke with Mrs. C. She said they have heard that the Pedersoli locks are unreliable. They do not have a replacement lock for that model.

Anyone know of a good lock that would work in this rifle?

- MacEntyre

 

[OldJoe212]

Does anyone know of a reliable lock that works as a replacement on the Pedersoli Kentucky long rifle?

I found a lightly used .45 and have enjoyed shooting it a lot. Only problem is the lock does not ignite the primer reliably. I lightened the frizzen spring, to no effect. Took a fine file to the face of the frizzen, also to no effect. It might fire three times in a row if I use a brand new TC synthetic flint, carefully mounted... but not always. Rarely does it fire twice in a row, no matter what I have done. At this moment, it will not fire at all, after cleaning and carefully installing a new flint.

Dry firing it in the dark reveals that few sparks make it to the pan. They go out to the side, as though the frizzen is deflecting them. I have a Lyman that fires reliably... in the dark, you can see that it's sparks go right into the pan.

I called Jim Chambers, and spoke with Mrs. C. She said they have heard that the Pedersoli locks are unreliable. They do not have a replacement lock for that model.

Anyone know of a good lock that would work in this rifle?

- MacEntyre

Even though I don't think the Siler locks made by Chambers are as good as the ones made by Bud, you can get a lock from them that has a blank plate that you can shape to whatever you want. Not sure if they come completed or kit form only. I'd slightly oversize it and inlet it to fit.

 

[anaconda44]

I dont know if anyone said this yet. But i fit my flints to just be off the frizzen at half caulk. . thompson center i had to use larger flints then the ones they sell. My lymans take a smaller flint to fit properly. As every brand of gun or lock is going to be differnt. For me i get the best results and less miss fires mounting the flint so its just off the frizzen.

 

[32 ballard xl]

The last third world production gun I bought (over 25 years ago) Was a Pedersoli piece. I bought it new from the good folks at Dixie Gun works.
I got 8 shots from the frizzen, and it went flying.
Pedersoli does NOT make replacement parts. So the good folks at Dixie custom made me a frizzen. Before I installed it I measured the frizzen spring tension, in stead of 12-15lb it was over 300lbs.

That was the last production gun I ever bought. In fact My EX asked for it in the divorce, and I gave it to her, after dumping 100s of dollars into it.

Go get a Chambers kit, and built it, and hang that one on the wall, or give it to someone you do not like.

Italy is a third world country? Italy that has been producing firearms for 3 times longer than the United States has existed?

IF you continue to work on it, it will turn you away from this firearms.

2005 I bought parts from Muzzle loader Supplies and along with a Chamber's Late Ketlend lock, the fastest lock made at the timer. Any part of this rifle is superior to any production gun period.

 

[32 ballard xl]

Italy, a country that has been producing firearms for 3 times longer than the United States has existed, is a 3rd world country?

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Ever been there? My Mother was born there, it is a second world country. When I was there it smelled almost as bad as Paris.

BTW I said third world production. The nice way of saying manure.
The only good one is one you made yourself.

 

[Ketchakah]

Hmmm. My first ML was a Pedersoli Penn plains rifle. Bought in 1973 Still Have it, Still original, Still fires flawlessly.

Looks like this, but in Flint ignition.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Comparing stuff made in the 70s today is not fair.
I had one of the two piece stock Japanese models back then that I shot the heck out of. I also had a CVA pistol that blew in my face.
Luck of the draw, do you feel lucky?

Except for maybe the Parker/Hale Withworth, is about the only production Id shoot.

Why get second rate, when you can have a custom that ends up being a heirloom vs a production piece that these forums are full of broken ones.

 

[FlinterNick]

Comparing stuff made in the 70s today is not fair.
I had one of the two piece stock Japanese models back then that I shot the heck out of. I also had a CVA pistol that blew in my face.
Luck of the draw, do you feel lucky?

Except for maybe the Parker/Hale Withworth, is about the only production Id shoot.

Why get second rate, when you can have a custom that ends up being a heirloom vs a production piece that these forums are full of broken ones.

Agree.... custom guns hold their value.

 

[jan_buchwald]

I have had parts sent from Pedersoli or you can try https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=58&cat=Pedersoli+Locks

 

[Ketchakah]

Yes, That is probably true. I did not consider that. They don't make things like they used to.

But we DID reference a Pedersoli that was "bought 25 years ago" failing. But like stated can be luck of draw. Same can be said today about a modern weapon. Although i will admit tolerances are generally more stringent.

A piece is only as good as the parts. Just because its custom made does not make it good. but better parts will be better then poor parts of course.

Heirloom . . . A repro is a repro to me. They are worth nothing except for the actual value of the parts. What makes an heirloom in my mind is the sentimental value. What is Dads treasure, is another's parts supply.

 

[Eric Krewson]

The Chambers are as nice a folk as you will ever meet, honest and always ready to help. I didn't see where telling you the truth could be considered an "asinine" comment.

L&R doesn't show a RPL lock for your gun, there may be one close enough to work in their listed locks. Be forewarned; swapping out a factory lock with a RPL lock can often involve some serious gunsmithing skills, they are not "drop-in".

http://www.lr-rpl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=36&Itemid=62

 

[8 BORE]

GOOD GUNS AREN'T CHEAP
CHEAP GUNS AREN"T GOOD

 

[Eric Krewson]

There are people out there that specialize in tuning locks, they could make your lock perform much better. If you ask the question here someone could direct you to a lock specialist. I had a list of these guys at one time when I had a lock worked on but remember all of them now.

It will cost you about $100 for a complete lock overhaul, cheaper than buying a new lock.

 

[J.G. Terry]

For me, it helps to go from the simplest to the most complex solutions for any shooting problem. Would it work better to replace the frizzen? Next would be to get the right sized flint? May do well to get the right flint first. Not sure anybody in this area would or could re-harden a frizzen. For me it would be easier to replace. Take care of the basics first.

 

[macentyre]

Today, I finally received my repaired Pedersoli lock from Lee Shaver. It only took a bit less than 7 years.

 

[D.Summers]

Have you tried it yet?? Hoping it works. I had a Pedersoli flintlock kentucky. Could not get it to ignite. It might go off once in 6-8 tries. Pedersoli actually sent me a new frizzen. It didn't fit, but my buddy did a little shade tree work on it, and got it to fit. Only marginally better. Turned it into a caplock and gave it to my nephew!!

 

[Six-Gun]

Geez...heck of a wait! I hope it at least works well for you now.