Hi Wolf! I've used two of these locks over the years. The first went into a 20 gauge fowling piece and without modification threw sparks like a cutting torch! So when I had the opportunity to buy a bag of parts to make up the lock again, I went for it. And once the lock was assembled, I was enormously disappointed in its ability to throw sparks. It didn't spark at all. I rehardened and tempered the frizzen with every method I know, and still, it was a dud. So I sent it to Bob Roller and he rebuilt it with his own guts. Bob's mainspring was much stiffer than the original, and the lock was marginally better as far a sparks is concered, but no barn burner by any means. So I called up Larry Zornes from the Mold and Gun Shop, as he is the guru for Davis locks, and he said to send it down to him. It came back in very quick order, with a note to give him a call. And I did. He told me that the frizzen on this lock was junk and he had replaced it on warrantee, in spite of the complete rebuild, and no charge. Now the lock functions fine and I shall be using it in the next couple of weeks.
To better describe how concerned I was about this lock, I took it to Dixon's Gunmaker's Fair in 2009 knowing that Davis would have their representative there, to discuss it with them. I can't remember the fellow at the table, think his name was Tim, and he agreed that the mainspring was too whippy and thin. He took the mainspring out of the demo lock he had in his display and installed it in my lock, but it didn't make any difference. I think it was Tim that recommended I speak with Larry Zornes.
So I've had 100 % satisfaction and 100% disappointment with this lock. I'd guess your chances will be 50/50, but let me know how it works once you clean it up and rectify the issues you perceive.
