mountain rifle flash hole location

[yip]

   what do guys think of this K.M.R. location? not what i expect,  just a little low.  the flash hole came to me already installed,

[smylee grouch]

Grind the pan deeper as in another post here.

[Jim Kibler]

Do nothing.  I say this over and over.  This is how they are intended to be.  They are not low by our standard.  The idea that it needs to be at the "sunset" position is total BS.  Try it exactly like it is and I think you'll see.

Jim

[yip]

  sorry Jim; i thought it might be a little low,

[Robin Henderson]

I agree with JK....just Choot it!

[A.Merrill]

   Don't worry about it now. Finish it and take it out and shoot it see how it does. If your having an ignition problem then grind the pan out a 1/16. The second rifle I ever built in 1975 had a touch hole that set low in the pan and it was fast. But the hot flame coming out the touch hole cut a small groove in the pan over time.   Al

[deerstalkert]

i have rifles with the touch holes in just about every position of a clock. they all are very reliable with good dry prime and good flint.
for years i was hung up on the sunset position but time has changed my thinking.
that said, when i am drilling a touch hole or installing a liner, just for continuity i place the hole at the sunset position. this usually puts it centered on a flat.
just my 2 cents.

i have acquired several very nice barrels cheap because of this. a builder gets the barrel and freaks out on the vent placement. so i guess i should help perpetuate this preception!

[MuskratMike]

It is in the place it should be. Finish the gun and shoot is as is. If you feel later that it needs to be altered.
For shucks and grins I grabbed a half dozen off the rack and compared them to your picture. They are all about the same as yours.
In my humble opinion the fast ignition time we all strive for is based on the quality, workmanship, and finish polishing of the lock. Jim's are as good or better than most. Never seen a Kibler that didn't have very fast and reliable ignition times. Just the observations of an old man. Thake it for what it's worth.
"Muskrat" Mike

[Jeff Murray]

This subject has come up before.  Out of curiosity I checked out the flintlocks in the Winchester Firearms Museum to see where their touchholes were located.  The originals show touchholes located at the sunset position and the center of the touchhole even with the flat edge of the pan.  A double barrel flint shotgun by Manton, a rather well-known builder, showed the touchholes lined up with the edge of the waterproof pans.  I guess the debate has raged for hundreds of years?