Author Topic: Lock choice (Read 1852 times)

DaveMZ · « **on:** March 16, 2022, 06:29:08 PM »

My only experience in building longrifles was an old CVA Kentucky Rifle when I was 16. That was looong ago.

I’m considering buying this kit. Would an English style lock be more appropriate?

Bob Roller · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2022, 06:39:43 PM »

IF you go for another caplock make sure the hammer and nipple line up better than shown here.
If the lock is to be flint maybe a Chambers would work.
Bob Roller

DaveMZ · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2022, 06:48:07 PM »

Yeah I failed to specify in my original post…..English style flintlock.

Scota4570 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2022, 06:59:25 PM »

What ever you decide upon do not get the precarve stock inletted for the lock.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2022, 07:10:00 PM »

Buy a chambers kit. Much higher quality.

DaveMZ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2022, 07:35:10 PM »

Mike, which Chambers lock would you suggest?

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2022, 08:29:46 PM »

Quote from: DaveMZ on March 16, 2022, 07:35:10 PM

Mike, which Chambers lock would you suggest?

All of them

Ky-Flinter · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2022, 08:33:18 PM »

Hi Dave,

In answer to your question, yes, an English style lock would be more appropriate on a Virginia gun.

I think Mike is suggesting you get the whole rifle kit from Chambers. Their Virginia rifle kit comes with a round faced English lock. http://www.flintlocks.com/rifles04.htm

Ron

Dwshotwell · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2022, 08:46:37 PM »

As a fairly new guy who has a Chamber's kit (Isaac Haines) and has built one of the lesser - quality / less costly kits, I would take the Chambers at the higher price every time going forward. I didn't discover this forum until I was stuck with difficulties on that first kit, but if I had it to do over I'd have paid the additional $300 for the quality.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2022, 08:48:21 PM »

Dave: I concur with Mike and Ron. Chamber's Virginia rifle is a wonderful choice, if that is the style you like. I have one for which I have two barrels, and I love it. It is my favourite offhand rifle and has placed me in the winner's circle more times than not. The Siler lock is not the best choice for a Virginia rifle.

rich pierce · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2022, 09:27:56 PM »

There is no right or wrong on Woodbury rifle building but there are conventions that allude to Virginia styling, at least with the guns with early architecture. I’d go with a Chambers round faced English lock. I hear the Kibler round faced English lock is also excellent so that’s another option.

ScottH · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2022, 09:41:49 PM »

Either of the Chambers round face locks seem appropriate.

flehto · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2022, 10:31:34 PM »

Ive only built one early Virginia LR and used an English styled Davis Twigg which worked out fine, but some said it wasn't a good lock because the mainspring flexed....which it surely does. This early Virginia shown below is from a very curly sugar maple blank and has the correct stock architecture and the buttplate is 2-1/8" wide. The bbl is oct/rd, .54 cal. X 44" and all the hardware is "iron", but should have been brass. Balances well and the weight is approx. 8 lbs......Fred

DaveMZ · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2022, 10:52:03 PM »

Beautiful longrifle, Fred!

I certainly appreciate all of the advice that everyone has given me. My dilemma is since I’ve never seen
an antique or contemporary longrifle let alone held one do I attempt a first build from a kit or have a blank inletted for a barrel/ramrod channel drilled then go from there.

I’ve read the books and watched videos on longrifle building.

utseabee · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2022, 11:22:18 PM »

Quote from: DaveMZ on March 16, 2022, 10:52:03 PM

Beautiful longrifle, Fred!

I certainly appreciate all of the advice that everyone has given me. My dilemma is since I’ve never seen
an antique or contemporary longrifle let alone held one do I attempt a first build from a kit or have a blank inletted for a barrel/ramrod channel drilled then go from there.

I’ve read the books and watched videos on longrifle building.

Not sure where you live, but it might be worth a trip to the Knoxville show in April or the Martinsburg show in May.

DaveMZ · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2022, 11:48:48 PM »

I’m down here on the Florida Space Coast.

flehto · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2022, 12:42:50 AM »

I've assembled 2 Chambers" early Lancaster "kits" early on and learned a lot ....they're not easy but one doesn't have to contend w/ stock architecture and the bbl and RR work is done. After the 2 "kits", the remainder of my builds were from blanks so those "kits" did their job. They shouldn't be called "kits", but part sets because they're nothing like factory kits......Fred

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2022, 12:45:35 AM »

Dave, Round faced English locks until about 1770, flat after that. So F & I War, round, WOI flat-faced.

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2022, 01:11:38 AM »

You might try a Kibler product. I hear they're not too bad.

Seriously, if you want to maximize your chances of success, this should be something to consider.

You'll learn a little bit about what a good rifle ought to be in the process.

Thanks,
Jim

DaveMZ · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2022, 02:12:59 AM »

Jim from what I’ve seen online you make an awesome product.

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Author Topic: Lock choice (Read 1852 times)