Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: rollingb on January 29, 2024, 01:22:24 AM

Title: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: rollingb on January 29, 2024, 01:22:24 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRyJ5PuYqO0
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: LongWalker on January 29, 2024, 07:41:22 PM
Am I the only one who misses the day when someone would write two paragraphs to convey information rather than expecting everyone to waste 13 minutes listening to them stumbling around in order to get the same information?
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: Bigsmoke on January 30, 2024, 11:13:10 AM
No LongWalker, you are not the only one who misses those days.  It seems like everyone and their pet duck have some sort of blog going on.  And every one of them must have at least a few people following them.  It's beyond my comprehension. 

John (Bigsmoke)
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: Bigsmoke on January 30, 2024, 11:30:59 AM
Man, this topic and post really make me nostalgic.  Remembering back to "the good old days" when there was always product available to manufacture, to buy and to sell.  Regarding percussion caps, I fondly recall making an order for RWS caps, where I would order 100,000 red label #11's and there was no delay.  And these were the caps in the metal cans, not the stupid plastic things they sell now.  And they came in a sturdy wooden crate, not a double layer cardboard box.  I would also get the green label caps and 4 and 6 wing musket caps as well, enough to fill another one of those neat wooden boxes.  Gee, I really miss those days.  No problem buying and no problem selling.
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: KDubs on January 31, 2024, 08:20:33 AM
Yep the 1950s was a wonderful time.  :luff:
Kevin
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: Bigsmoke on January 31, 2024, 10:23:56 AM
Yes, Kevin, it was.  The 60's weren't so bad either.  But, I was referring to the 80's and 90's mainly.
Although there were problems in the 70's, there were some bright moments.
John
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: Nessmuk on January 31, 2024, 08:27:17 PM
Sugar shortage in the Sixties. Gas crises in the seventies, Coffee shortage in the Eighties. we've always  had Shortages of some kind or other. But why the hell did it have to be Caps and Black powder? Life isn't fair sometimes, why couldn't have been a caviar shortage or something??

 :bigsmile:
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: BEAVERMAN on January 31, 2024, 09:05:41 PM
Sugar shortage in the Sixties. Gas crises in the seventies, Coffee shortage in the Eighties. we've always  had Shortages of some kind or other. But why the hell did it have to be Caps and Black powder? Life isn't fair sometimes, why couldn't have been a caviar shortage or something??

 :bigsmile:

Agree!
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: Hank in WV on January 31, 2024, 09:53:08 PM
Maybe there was a drought somewhere...  :Doh!
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: PetahW on January 31, 2024, 10:30:43 PM
.

IMO, some of those folks have a brain shortage. looking for their 15mins of fame (they're legends in their own minds)  :Doh!
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: RobD on February 03, 2024, 06:02:30 AM
A prime (pun intended) reason for flintlock ignition guns - though I do get it when it comes to cap pistols.

IMHO, the absolute answer to commercial caps is go roll yer own.  They work, they're reliable, they're easy to make, it will just take time and effort (something many young 'uns do not like in their fast food society).

http://tradmla.org/tmaf/index.php?topic=26945.msg242409#msg242409
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 03, 2024, 01:01:57 PM
I agree with Rob, make your own. I would also suggest to those who shoot only caplock ML's - get a flintlock. If you already have a flintlock - take advantage of this cap shortage and learn to shoot that flintlock really well.

Eventually, caps will come back. We seem to go through this cycle every once in a'while - and a good Flintlock is a great backup plan.  :shake
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: RobD on February 03, 2024, 01:59:11 PM
I agree with Rob, make your own. I would also suggest to those who shoot only caplock ML's - get a flintlock. If you already have a flintlock - take advantage of this cap shortage and learn to shoot that flintlock really well.

Eventually, caps will come back. We seem to go through this cycle every once in a'while - and a good Flintlock is a great backup plan.  :shake

Absolutely!  :bl th up

The only concern about flintlocks (that at least I have) is that unlike caplocks, flint lock geometry is critical to a good working lock with reliable ignition. 

So, IF need be, this can be resolved with an L&R RPL replacement lock for most offshore flintlock guns.
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: Nessmuk on February 03, 2024, 04:32:44 PM
In addition, Knapping your flint correctly is an invaluable skill that takes lots of practice but it makes flintlock shooting much easier and reliable.
Title: Re: Where are the percussion caps?
Post by: RobD on February 03, 2024, 05:16:59 PM
In addition, Knapping your flint correctly is an invaluable skill that takes lots of practice but it makes flintlock shooting much easier and reliable.

It's no special skill,just do this ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU2nbg7bM2k