What do you all think about a lefty using a flinter. Been toying with the idea of getting one but am limited being a lefty. Then I was thinking, is it really that bad shooting one left-handed. All my percussion locks are righties.
Flint lock and being left-handed
- Thread starter skooch
- Start date
There are left-handed flintlocks available of course... And they would be better for you! If you use a right-handed flintlock, you should use a flashguard to prevent the gases escaping the touchhole from going into your eyes and face... Wearing safety glases would be a good idea too!
Skooch:
If you have ever put together a kit (or are inclined to do so) I'd say that you couldn't go wrong with the kit from Dixie Gun Works for their Tennessee Mountain Rifle ...
This is not a gaudy "all brass and glossy varnish" thing, if that's what you like ... rather it is a very "plain jane" working rifle - all iron furniture, etc. - just like the originals it recreates ... I have one of them, albeit righthanded, and they are very accurate, with a very functional and strong sparking lock ...
DGW actually discontinued this rifle some years ago - I believe it was because the market was limited, with most people wanting that flashy "brass and varnish" look (even though it is not historically correct.) HOWEVER, they had left-handed rifles in stock longer than the others (though now no longer listed) and still have the left-hand kit in stock ...
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=11597
Another really neat feature of this rifle ... it is actually changeable from flint ot percussion and back. The barrel has a stainless steel touch-hole liner which can be easily removed, leaving a suitably large (7/16"?) threaded hole into which a "drum and nipple" can be installed, and then a separate percussion lock (made to fit the same lock recess exactly) is installed in lieu of the flint lock. (As you are likely aware, this is exactly the way many original flintlocks were converted to the new percussion system, back in the day ...)
The percussion lock is also still available from DGW -
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=6122
- I don't see the drum mentioned, but I imagine they must have those too ... you'd just have to enquire.
I have also occasionally seen these rifles for sale used, so you might be able to search out one of those with the left-handed setup ....
FWIW, here is a composite picture of my rifle together with close-ups of each of the locks in place ....
If you have ever put together a kit (or are inclined to do so) I'd say that you couldn't go wrong with the kit from Dixie Gun Works for their Tennessee Mountain Rifle ...
This is not a gaudy "all brass and glossy varnish" thing, if that's what you like ... rather it is a very "plain jane" working rifle - all iron furniture, etc. - just like the originals it recreates ... I have one of them, albeit righthanded, and they are very accurate, with a very functional and strong sparking lock ...
DGW actually discontinued this rifle some years ago - I believe it was because the market was limited, with most people wanting that flashy "brass and varnish" look (even though it is not historically correct.) HOWEVER, they had left-handed rifles in stock longer than the others (though now no longer listed) and still have the left-hand kit in stock ...
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=11597
Another really neat feature of this rifle ... it is actually changeable from flint ot percussion and back. The barrel has a stainless steel touch-hole liner which can be easily removed, leaving a suitably large (7/16"?) threaded hole into which a "drum and nipple" can be installed, and then a separate percussion lock (made to fit the same lock recess exactly) is installed in lieu of the flint lock. (As you are likely aware, this is exactly the way many original flintlocks were converted to the new percussion system, back in the day ...)
The percussion lock is also still available from DGW -
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=6122
- I don't see the drum mentioned, but I imagine they must have those too ... you'd just have to enquire.
I have also occasionally seen these rifles for sale used, so you might be able to search out one of those with the left-handed setup ....
FWIW, here is a composite picture of my rifle together with close-ups of each of the locks in place ....
FWIW, I shoot a LH Lyman Great plains .54 cal percussion rifle and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Like the DGW rifle Grant mentions, it is a no-frills rifle with Iron hardware, though the lock is case colored.
If you're left handed, the only reason not to buy a LH BP rifle is if you want a historically accurate military musket. Even back in antiquity, some makers offered left handed rifled muskets to private purchasers. The locks were readily available for use on double-barelled shotguns and rifles.
If you're left handed, the only reason not to buy a LH BP rifle is if you want a historically accurate military musket. Even back in antiquity, some makers offered left handed rifled muskets to private purchasers. The locks were readily available for use on double-barelled shotguns and rifles.
I realize that there are left handed rifles available, i just wanted feedback on using a flinter lefthanded. There are so many nice used flinters for sale and none for lefties. Plus, I either pay a tonne of cash for a custom, build my own or get a crappy brassy POS if I want a lefty. Thanks GrantR, I'll look into the DGW flinter. What I realy want is a lefthanded .32 or .36.
Cheers,
Jeff
Cheers,
Jeff
I certainly think that, shooting left-handed, a proper left-handed flintlock would be a lot easier, and more pleasant, for you to use ....
Unfortunately, as you've probably noted, the Tennessee Mountain rifle kit is available only in .50 caliber ...
Unfortunately, as you've probably noted, the Tennessee Mountain rifle kit is available only in .50 caliber ...
Look at hte Lyman guns. Only their "trade rifle" is all gaudy brass looking. The Great Plains type rifles are classic iron fitted (actually, it's probably steel done to look like Iron, but whatever). And they make most of their models in left hand versions. Also, they are not that expensive compared to some alternatives.
If you buy a flinter, you can order direct from the states too.
might want to also check out Track of the Wolf. they have alot of options for leftys.
http : / / w w w .trackofthewolf.com/(S(l215ay45wece3fy0sh2qzqnf))/categories/partList.aspx?catID=12&subID=81&styleID=280
If you buy a flinter, you can order direct from the states too.
might want to also check out Track of the Wolf. they have alot of options for leftys.
http : / / w w w .trackofthewolf.com/(S(l215ay45wece3fy0sh2qzqnf))/categories/partList.aspx?catID=12&subID=81&styleID=280
With a flashguard installed, you should be OK even with a right handed flintlock... But it depend on the configuration of the gun and your shooting stance in the end... You would have to try the flintlock to see if it is all right for you.
My choice of custom/kit / secondhand would be based on the quality of the lock and by that I mean it would have to have a Siler or L&R lock or perhaps one of a few other North American made quality locks. It would not be any of the foreign reproduction locks even some of them may spark well on the short term.
The bottom line is that the dependability of a flintlock depends on the lock. Almost any percussion lock will fire dependably but flint locks are very fussy.
Even though I make some of my own locks, I do so out of challenge and I still cannot make one as well and as dependable as a Siler or an L&R.
cheers mooncoon
The bottom line is that the dependability of a flintlock depends on the lock. Almost any percussion lock will fire dependably but flint locks are very fussy.
Even though I make some of my own locks, I do so out of challenge and I still cannot make one as well and as dependable as a Siler or an L&R.
cheers mooncoon
Claven2, ya those are nice but $2000 is way too much for my pocketbook. Looks like I will have to build one. I have the skill but the time and workshop is the issue. I just had an oppurtunity to pick up a beautiful righthanded flinter but I will probably pass. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if any come up for sale.
i shoot a few different lefthand flinters, they are not hard to shoot, but, you will find shooting a righthand flinter lefthanded is a bonus in a way this was pointed out to my by another lefty long time flint man, he shoot a righthand tradegun, he says that shooting that way you dont see the flash in the pan , that is a little hard to get used to shooting a flinter that is properhand for you as then you see the flash as its in front of your sighting eye, i have hawken .54 caliber
Wade.
Wade.
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I will confirm that the Lyman Great Plains rifle is excellent - at least the percussion one I used for years as my main shooting rifle certainly was. Accurate and reliable, so I won my share of competitions with it, and took a deer with it the only time I went hunting with it. Had no experience with their flintlocks, admittedly. The smallest available caliber is .50, however ...
I'm a southpaw shooter also, it's no problem to shoot a right handed flinter, as long as your right forearm is ahead of the pan.
We have a clubmember who is lefty with a wrong oops I mean right handed trade gun, claims he can shoot better with it. His score on the Halloween shoot was 17 out of 20
We shot the rifle trail that day his score was better than most of the rifle shooters .
You are correct,all things considered, if you want a lefty, you are better to build your own.
Cheers nessy.
We have a clubmember who is lefty with a wrong oops I mean right handed trade gun, claims he can shoot better with it. His score on the Halloween shoot was 17 out of 20
We shot the rifle trail that day his score was better than most of the rifle shooters .You are correct,all things considered, if you want a lefty, you are better to build your own.
Cheers nessy.
juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
Lots of people shoot righties lefthanded, if you have a chance for a good one buy it or pm me with the info so I can...seriously.
