I am not sure how many locks, late Ketland, Large Siler, small Siler, colonial Virginia, Queen Ann, and Dale Johnson I have bought from Jim Chambers. I have had only one minor problem that did not effect performance. (The large Virginia frizzen occasionally bounces.) This issue was not worth bothering Jim about as it fires every time the trigger is pulled..
I built flintlocks when the best lock I was aware of was the Dixie standard flintlock. Because of this, I know how to appreciate locks that work every time for a long time. The problems I have described in this thread were, and are involving a lock assembled by one of the current sellers of inexpensive rifle and fowler kits. My intent was to make people aware that when one buys a flintlock, or a kit, you generally get what you pay for. If it is inexpensive, it is likely to also be cheap. I am not saying to not buy an inexpensive kit. Ask questions such as who assembled the lock, who made the barrel, and what kind of wood is the stock, exactly. You should understand what you are getting for your money. The wood on this kit appears to be poplar, or basswood. It may be silver maple as it was advertised as being maple.
Note: my friend, for whom I am finishing this kit, has not laid a file on the lock. He knows better.
