If I build a flintlock smoothbore

Waterloomike

Waterloomike

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Is it possible to buy a kit in Canada?

Or will I have to import?

Any recommendations as to brand?

Any recommendations as to something to avoid?

I've been googling and can't find much, except for the very pricey kits from Clark something or other or something or other Clark, which is an English style. Too pricey for me.

I want it for turkeys and other small game and birds.
 
The lock mechanism is the critical part; Siler or L&R locks are the only way to go and one or two years ago they were running about $125 assembled. Cheap locks are false economy and nothing but frustration. I would expect Track of the Wolf and Dixie to have a variety of quality locks. You should be able to buy a smoothbore kit from TOW although it sounds like you might not like the price. The other side of the coin is that if you buy/build a cheap kit that looks like a piece of pipe on a plank, after a year or so you are probably going to wish you had spent the extra money for a quality kit.
I built my second flintlock from components plus a maple plank and ended up re shaping the stock after a couple of years and subsequently making a completely new stock because my first two attempts were so homely.

cheers mooncoon
 
That's the sort of knowledge I'll need.

Price isn't the only consideration.

It is an object, but not the only object.
 
rusty51 said:
You can buy a flintlock kit or gun from the U.S anf get it sent up here with out any problem at all..D
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There must be some hoops to jump through, someone's ass must need to be kissed just the right way, no?

I've seen a lot of those discussions, but everyone seems to have slightly different answer and sometimes a different outcome.

Have you done this?

What about an already assembled gun?
 
Waterloomike said:
There must be some hoops to jump through, someone's ass must need to be kissed just the right way, no?

I've seen a lot of those discussions, but everyone seems to have slightly different answer and sometimes a different outcome.

Have you done this?

What about an already assembled gun?
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Yes, you can import either a flintlock kit or an assembled gun, with no problems. They are specifically mentioned in legislation as not being controlled.
 
Flintlock long guns are specifically excluded from the definition of "Firearm" in the Criminal Code. They do not have to be registered. You can import a kit or gun from the USA with nothing more than the 5% GST or HST to pay when you pick it up at the post office. I've imported parts and kits to build flinters for about 5 years without any hitch whatsoever. If you don't want to spend a lot of loot then watch the EE Forum for a well known name brand second hand - there are some very good deals out there.

The Criminal Code says flinters are only considered to be firearms when used in an illegal act...
 
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Ol' Flinter said:
Flintlock long guns are specifically excluded from the definition of "Firearm" in the Criminal Code. They do not have to be registered. You can import a kit or gun from the USA with nothing more than the 5% GST or HST to pay when you pick it up at the post office. I've imported parts and kits to build flinters for about 5 years without any hitch whatsoever. If you don't want to spend a lot of loot then watch the EE Forum for a well known name brand second hand - there are some very good deals out there.

The Criminal Code says flinters are only considered to be firearms when used in an illegal act...
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That's good to know.

Thanks.
 
Waterloomike said:
Smooth bore suitable for turkeys.
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OK. You are not interested in any particular style of traditional firearm, you are looking for a shooter, that would throw a heavy charge of shot with as tight a pattern as possible.
Think in terms of a basic, bare bones design. I would suggest a halfstock; less stockwork to do. Forget a rib under the barrel, just fasten the rod pipes to the barrel. A large gauge barrel. A fast, reliable lock. Jug choked to tighten patterns, uness you want a choked barrel and deal with getting the wads through the choke. Experimentation with shot in a wrapper to maximize patterns.
Don't think there is any particular ready-to-assemble kit that would fill these criteria, but a set of parts could no doubt be sourced.
Or a repro musket would likely be acceptable, with experimentation to maximize pattern effectiveness. You would be firing an aimed shot, not wingshooting, so the large lock would be acceptable.
 
tiriaq said:
OK. You are not interested in any particular style of traditional firearm, you are looking for a shooter, that would throw a heavy charge of shot with as tight a pattern as possible.
Think in terms of a basic, bare bones design. I would suggest a halfstock; less stockwork to do. Forget a rib under the barrel, just fasten the rod pipes to the barrel. A large gauge barrel. A fast, reliable lock. Jug choked to tighten patterns, uness you want a choked barrel and deal with getting the wads through the choke. Experimentation with shot in a wrapper to maximize patterns.
Don't think there is any particular ready-to-assemble kit that would fill these criteria, but a set of parts could no doubt be sourced.
Or a repro musket would likely be acceptable, with experimentation to maximize pattern effectiveness. You would be firing an aimed shot, not wingshooting, so the large lock would be acceptable.
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Well, maybe I am misrepresenting myself here.

Let me clear it up some.

You are not interested in any particular style of traditional firearm,
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I am interested in something traditional.

you are looking for a shooter, that would throw a heavy charge of shot with as tight a pattern as possible.
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Correct.

You would be firing an aimed shot, not wingshooting, so the large lock would be acceptable.
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Would like some versatility.
 
Trade gun kits, either English or French patterns, tend to be smaller gauges, 24-20. They would be usable, but do not throw heavy shot charges.
A musket, .69-.75 caliber, would work.
These are traditionally styled, and are versatile. Various models are available.
A half stocked flintlock shotgun, ca. 1820 style, would be ideal. The Italian "Mortimer" shotgun comes to mind. These have been offered in flint and percussion. As kits, I don't know.
If you want it for this season, time is getting short.
 
tiriaq said:
Trade gun kits, either English or French patterns, tend to be smaller gauges, 24-20. They would be usable, but do not throw heavy shot charges.
A musket, .69-.75 caliber, would work.
These are traditionally styled, and are versatile. Various models are available.
A half stocked flintlock shotgun, ca. 1820 style, would be ideal. The Italian "Mortimer" shotgun comes to mind. These have been offered in flint and percussion. As kits, I don't know.
If you want it for this season, time is getting short.
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I looked at a Mortimer. They were nice, but I prefer the curved shoulder stock. Pricey, the one I looked at. It was a Pedersoli. I have one in a Pennsylvania. Love it. Ramrod is flimsy, but I have a custom rod in brass that a friend made for me that I use.

I've given up on finding something for this season, unless something pops up that I can't resist. I'll just use what I've been using and avoid the rush. I always settle when I do things in a rush, instead of getting what I really want.

Now on the question of throwing a heavy charge, how heavy do I really need? A lot of guys do take turkeys with a 20 ga. Maybe there's something out there that would suit in 20 ga.?
 
The trade type guns come to mind. Good choices here, have a look at TOW's offerings. Should be able to use 1 1/8 oz, maybe a bit more. Pattern density is probably more important than weight.
There would also be the option of a "smooth rifle".
 
tiriaq said:
The trade type guns come to mind. Good choices here, have a look at TOW's offerings. Should be able to use 1 1/8 oz, maybe a bit more. Pattern density is probably more important than weight.
There would also be the option of a "smooth rifle".
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If I'm learning things, then I would suspect density is more critical.

Being confident about importation opens up a whole new world. (whatever happened to Free Trade?)

I will look at TOTW's offerings. I'm already a regular customer.

Thanks for the input and sharing your knowledge.
 
I think that if you use a heavy charge of shot in a smaller guage than it was intended for you will either get a pattern that is narrow side to side and tall on the vertical plane or have a gun that kicks like a mule depending on powder charge. Unless I am mistaken 20 guage guns tend to use around 60 - 70 grains of powder and 3/4 oz of shot. You would be wiser, I think, to go to a copy of a bess which is 10 or 12 guage and use 80 gr of 2F plus 1 1/8 oz of shot. The heavier weight of the bess will soak up the increased recoil of the larger charge.
You need to distinguish between people using modern 20 guage guns with choked barrels and people using open bored muzzle loaders. The modern choked gun will obviously shoot a tighter pattern

cheers mooncoon
 
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