Flintlock vs. Percussion for Reliability

[Dave R]

If the good Lord intended you to shoot caps he would have spread them out on the ground like he did flint!!

[nosrettap1958]

Yes but we're talking about reliability of ignition. If a breechloader fails to go off the likely culprits are the factory cartridge including the primer or the weapons firing pin. Neither are considered operator error.

[Turtle]

 One of the best examples of this was at a weekly shoot of app 30 shooters on the line 50%/50% flint and percussion. It started to rain and we decided to finish the shoot anyway. Shooters gradually dropped out with ignition problems, but many more percussion dropped out than flinters. I was surprised. The biggest factor was that one tiny drop down the nipple hole created an unfixable problem, but the flint problems were solvable.

[Marcruger]

"The biggest factor was that one tiny drop down the nipple hole created an unfixable problem, but the flint problems were solvable."

Because our beloved flintlocks 'problems' are all out in the open and easy to see and work on.  :-) 

[Bob Roller]

If the good Lord intended you to shoot caps he would have spread them out on the ground like he did flint!!

Caps don't occur in nature and now the price is not natural.

Bob Roller

[nosrettap1958]

I know that's why whenever I hunt with my caplock I watch the weather report and only go out if there is zero percent chance of precipitation. I don't know what to do if some moisture gets down in that little tiny hole and messes everything up so I have to go home.

I need to go home, but not because its raining, I just need a higher pair of boots because its really getting deep here.

[hanshi]

I've hunted in the rain with both and experienced ZERO problems.  Success or failure is usually in the hands of the operator.

[rfd]

I'm in the process of trying to find and acquire my first longrifle.  I like the idea of a flintlock (might as well go with the older way if I want to go with the old way).  But my friend who shoots percussion seems to think that flintlocks are much less reliable than percussion rifles.  How much truth is there to that?  If one is more reliable than the other, how big a difference is it?

Thanks for the help.

Cory

i would recommend acquiring a gun with the ignition type that churns yer butter better.  either type, cap or rock, will work just fine as yer fancy dictates. 

this is ALL about a learning curve, and once you understand both ignition styles, and how to use each effectively, there will be no such silly thing as "flintlocks are less reliable than percussion".

if yer dream muzzleloader is a flinter, go for it and don't look back ... HOWEVER, as with most things in life, there are flintlocks that will be easier to make shoot reliably and some that will be a constant struggle.  choose wisely, and since you probably don't know what that choosing entails, seek qualified help in making a flintlock acquisition decision.  but above all, do enjoy!   

[Dphariss]

I'm in the process of trying to find and acquire my first longrifle.  I like the idea of a flintlock (might as well go with the older way if I want to go with the old way).  But my friend who shoots percussion seems to think that flintlocks are much less reliable than percussion rifles.  How much truth is there to that?  If one is more reliable than the other, how big a difference is it?

Thanks for the help.

Cory

Little difference in hunting IF MANAGED right. I have more trouble in matches since I don't worry about the flint etc as I would hunting.
A cheap percussion is not a good idea and a cheap flintlock or a poor design will cause issues as well. Percussion in easier to shoot well due to lock time.

Dan

[thecapgunkid]

I heard a rumor t'other day that they were gonna make ignition, powder and ball self contained in a small brass tube.

Don't think that'll ever stick.

I don't wanna say that the problems on our trail walks are with percussion shooters, but every percussion shooter I have shot with has had problems.

Um juss sayn

[p.d.]

I assume from your post that percussion shooters troubles are fairly common.  What were the most common causes of failure?  I am all about learning from others mistakes if possible.  Thanks.

[sqrldog]

With all the problems with percussion rifles and their unreliability makes one wonder why they won't let folks shoot them in flintlock matches. I suppose the flint shooters just don't want to take advantage of the percussion shooters. Tim

[Daryl]

Cap gun shooters rarely win around here.

[seniorsgt]

why not change the name of the forum to American flintlock longrifles and you wont deal with the rest of us bye

[Joe S.]

Just start another thread why cap guns are better,no need to take your marbles and go home.Defend your position,what's wrong with folks today?

[oldtravler61]

  There's really no big difference. It all depends on the quality of the firearm an it's parts. To the experience of the shooter.
  To bad Ole Jim Bridger an Jeremiah Johnson are not alive today. Would really like to here their opinion. Because back then. Their lives depended on it. Oldtravler

[Joe S.]

Would be an interesting discussion,they probably used both and perhaps when it really counted.

[Mike Brooks]

I find it interesting that in some places flintlocks held on till the very early cartridge period. The Piedmont of NC comes to mind, still building flint guns easily into the 1850's Also never went out of style in the Appalachia's. Obviously some folks thought flintlocks were plenty good enough. I believe even the Mantons built the occasional flint gun in the 1840's, 20 years after the caplock took hold in England.

 That's not to say there's anything wrong with a caplock. I've owned them, shot them, and liked them. Of course the same could be said with me and cartridge guns as well. I guess I like them all!

[Joe S.]

Ditto on liking them all,variety is the spice of life.

[hanshi]

Well, I never met a gun I didn't like.  Ahem!  There have been one or two, actually.

[Daryl]

It's interesting how good, or perhaps the BEST of the inventions linger after 'being replaced" by more modern inventions. 

As late as 1929, James (I think) Purdey & Son's was still taking orders for English Damascus shotgun barreled SXS shotguns.

[Bob Roller]

Ditto on liking them all,variety is the spice of life.

I also am comfortable with a fine flintlock rifle or an 1877 Sharps.

Bob Roller

[Candle Snuffer]

I like both ignition systems and have found they're both reliable. I'd suggest a person do one of two things. Pick one and stay with it, or enjoy the experience and shoot 'em both. 

[nosrettap1958]

I assume from your post that percussion shooters troubles are fairly common.  What were the most common causes of failure?  I am all about learning from others mistakes if possible.  Thanks.

No they're not. Don't listen to these guys they love flintlocks and no one is going to tell them that they are less reliable. They are.  What they're doing is comparing a cheap percussion lock against their custom built flinters or an inexperienced operator against an experienced operator. 

Everything being equal the percussion is hands down more reliable under any condition.

[bones92]

I think most of the other members here would agree that I'm still somewhat of a newbie, and therefore I really don't have a dog in the flintlock vs. Caplock fight.

So for the original question, let me only answer with my observations over the past few years of shooting muzzleloaders exclusively.

I have had rifles fail to fire using caps on a good many occasions. But I have also had instances where I've had four or five misfires with a flintlock. In all cases, the fault was mainly my own. There are certain tricks that one learns in order to keep his or her rifle shooting consistently, weather percussion or flintlock.

I would venture to say that either are as reliable as you make them, using good technique and learning your rifle in and out.

The original poster should only ask himself, which rifle intrigues me? Both are historical and the many Americans who put meat on the table using flintlocks had sons and grandsons who put just as much meat on the table using percussion.

Personally, I have a hard time owning just one of anything. I suggest that you get a good Flintlock and a good percussion rifle. Each will provide their own enjoyment.

Also, don't misunderstand the guys here who advocate for flintlocks. I think they were mainly answering your question as to reliability, which is essentially what I was trying to point out. Either system can be very reliable if well maintained.

Stick around here for a while, read through old discussions and learn, learn, learn. I think muzzleloading is one of the best pastimes you could choose.