Lock replacement TC Hawken

[Lead ball 54]

I just picked up a TC Hawken flint lock and was thinking about replacing the lock so as this is my first flinter I will rely on you experts for advise now keep in mind money don't grow on trees in my back yard so pickn is slim I think I got it for a decent price 175.00 and it is very clean no rust or pitting so I can afford a decent lock thanks have a great week

[Daryl]

Have you checked www.trackofthewolf.com for replacement parts, like lock, breech and/or barrel?

[OldMtnMan]

The locks from L&R are the same price that you paid for the gun.

[Daryl]

This was not expected?

[Mauser06]

You can sell the original lock for right around what a replacement L&R lock will cost if it's in good condition. 


Don't know if any other locks will work on the rifle or not...the L&R is designed to fit it with a little inletting.


It's an upgrade for sure.  Wish it had a bigger Flint/frizzen though.


While you are at it, call Chamber's and get a white lightning liner and bit and tap and put it in...that's a huge upgrade IMO.

[OldMtnMan]

This was not expected?

Probably not for the OP. Although I did give him a link for it, so maybe he checked the price too.

[Lead ball 54]

Thanks I'm going to check those out I have never had a TC flint lock before are the locks bad or just not as good will I be able to get by with the TC lock

[OldMtnMan]

Sure you can get by. Try it and see how it works for you.

[Turtle]

yep, try it first. Some aren't half bad.

[Flint62Smoothie]

Be aware that T/C had 2 generations of locks, as the Gen1 ones had poor geometry on the cock angle to the frizzen. I believe they changed both the angle and height of the cock. Years ago you could send
Your lock to them and they’d replace the cock with the new one, if not a complete replacement out right.

I’ll have to check my files for a picture showing the differences. FWIW I have a T/C flinter I keep as a ‘spare’ or backup, plus for new BP shooters to try out ... and that lock has been very reliable. I don’t ever recall it not going off ...

[Daryl]

If a bit slow in ignition, it will teach good, long follow through.

[Flint62Smoothie]

Found the photo - see how much taller it is?

[Eric Krewson]

I have used an L&R RPL lock in a TC Renegade, the ease of installation varies widely from gun to gun. I found that TC rifles are not cookie cutter duplicates like one would think.

In my rifle I had to move the barrel back to center the touchhole, plug the bolt hole and drill a new one as the L&R threaded bushing didn't line up, grind off the front of the hooked breech to keep it out of the new bolt hole, put wood shims in the inlet because the RPL lock was smaller than the mortise and remove a lot of wood from inside the mortise to accommodate the new lock internals.

On some TC rifles there is very little inletting to do for a replacement. From questioning others who have made the swap it looks like you have a 50-50 chance on needing some serious gunsmithing skills to replace your lock with an L&R.

[Don Steele]

Welcome...and congratulations on taking the plunge into flintlock shooting.
Before you do anything....look at the pictures posted and determine which generation your lock is.
I have a 1970's vintage 50 caliber flintlock Thompson Center "Hawken style" rifle.
I'm one of those folks who got my 1st generation lock replaced for free from Smith and Wesson, who owns T/C now. That was about 3 yrs ago and I have NO idea if that option is still available. In my case...when I acquired the rifle the frizzen had been broken off. I called the service center and asked the very nice lady if they still supported the lifetime warranty that was in place when I purchased the rifle. (It is a "family rifle" so to speak...I bought it for a cousin back in the 70's and got it back after he passed away. ) She told me that they did warrant T/C products but that parts availability could be an issue. In my case..they emailed a shipping label to me, I sent the lock in and got the new, 2nd generation lock within the same week.
IF...if you have a first generation lock, I can't help you as I have no experience with those. A buddy of mine down here went the "L&R Drop-in replacement" route. He found it was far from being a "Drop-in" and hasn't been particularly happy with it. On the other hand...I have found the 2nd generation T/C lock to be a pretty darn good piece of equipment. If you look around, you can find a Lyman frizzen that has been slightly modified to be a direct replacement for the T/C frizzen. Of course, you can buy a Lyman yourself and do your own fitting...cost is about the same either way, approx. $20.00. I recommend doing this.  I wasn't impressed with the T/C frizzen. I would also recommend that you try to find a pkg. of Thompson Center Touchhole Bushings. T/C. part # 7327. They come 2 per pack, with a small allen wrench for installation and removal.  I literally stumbled on those one day at Dick's Sporting Goods. I thought they looked interesting and decided to give them a try rather than drilling & tapping the barrel for a Chambers vent liner. They are the next best thing to Jim Chambers liners you can get for your T/C rifle, and don't require anything other than take out the original, and screw on of these in.
At the end of the day, with those inexpensive modifications, IF you have the second generation lock...you're going to wind up with a VERY decent flintlock rifle that doesn't "give up" much to anybody's custom.
As to the rifle itself...I also recommend changing the sights. IMHO...those T/C sight are awful. But perhaps that's just me.
All in all...my 50 cal, slightly modified T/C "Hawken style" flintlock performs with excellent reliability and sufficient accuracy that it's my go-to rifle for Deer and Hogs.

[prairieofthedog]

I picked up a TC  Flinter this summer,didn't need it but never had one and the price was right.My lock is first generation and $#@*.Frizzen sucks and the hammer geometry is terrible.Just smashes flints.Called S&W and got quite the run around,one said I could not send it in without the gun huh?kept working till one said just send the lock in  and we will repair or replace with Gen 2.Sent it in with details of what it was doing,got it back in about 21/2 weeks.Sent same lock back with a new fly.There was nothing wrong with the old fly,and that did not address any of my real problems!Thanks S&W!So then I bought a L&R replacement because not going to deal with a $#@* lock.Then I see some of the butchering people have to do to get them to fit,and it is still in the sack!Probably sell  the whole kit and caboodle,got other reliable Flinters.End of Rant LOL!

[prairieofthedog]

Don Steele,you are right most people have had good luck with the Gen 2 lock.And changing the touchholes with the TC ones is a major upgrade!Just wish that's what mine was.

[Scota4570]

I shot one with the original lock for years.  It was my first kit, way back in 1974.   I'd shoot yours it and see how it works.  If you hate it, convert to percussion with a drum and percussion hammer, that is what I did.  I shot it a little more and put it away for two decades.  When I dug it out again I replaced the barrel and lock.  I used an L/R and made the plate fit my stock.  I ended up making a long nut to replace a bridal screw  so the lock bolt worked.   I also re-designed the furniture and lowered the comb.

I now wish I had left it alone as a reminder of my 15 year old self.

I probably would not put any serious money in a TC.  They are fine as an entry level rifle.   They work.  The stock design is poor.  The construction details are modern. There is not much that can be done to improve it in a cost effective way.   If you want better, pay for better up front.

[Fyrstyk]

I have seen written, that you can replace the cock and frizzen of T/C guns with those from a Lyman Great Plains rifle to get better ignition.  The frizzen needs to be modified some to fit, but works well once in place.