Diganosing a misbehaving lock. -- ???

[Smokey]

With each pull of the trigger, there is either a flash in the pan OR the pan does not ignite at all. Those two things seem inconsistent with each other.

Out of several tries, the gun may or may not go off.   

The pan DOES open fully. 
I've gone through 3 flints trying to fix the problem.

What are some ADDITIONAL clues I should be looking for, if any, to help me diagnose the problem? 

Thanks.

[RobD]

What firearm, what bore, and what lock?

I should assume these tests weren't done in wet or humid air conditions?

Is the load "compact"?  Meaning the powder is fully down the breech and a touch hole pick will be able to poke into the powder, and the patched ball is well seated on the powder column.

What is the diameter of the touch hole? 

Has the touch hole been picked before dropping the cock on the hammer?  Mandatory at least for starters so that the most amount of chamber powder is available to receive the HEAT from the pan flash.

What pan powder kernel size, how much, and where is it located within the pan?  At best very little powder should be centered in the pan and away from the touch hole.

Is the flint edge sharp and fully at 90* to the hammer and where does the flint edge strike the hammer?

There's more, but the above is a good beginning.

[Smokey]

The gun has been reliable in the past.

The trouble has developed recently and gotten worse.
I've been through multiple flints in various positions trying to diagnose it.

Sometimes the pan does not go off.
Sometimes there is a flash in the pan.
Every few attempts the gun actually fires.

What firearm, what bore, and what lock?

I should assume these tests weren't done in wet or humid air conditions?

Is the load "compact"?  Meaning the powder is fully down the breech and a touch hole pick will be able to poke into the powder, and the patched ball is well seated on the powder column.

What is the diameter of the touch hole? 

Has the touch hole been picked before dropping the cock on the hammer?  Mandatory at least for starters so that the most amount of chamber powder is available to receive the HEAT from the pan flash.

What pan powder kernel size, how much, and where is it located within the pan?  At best very little powder should be centered in the pan and away from the touch hole.

Is the flint edge sharp and fully at 90* to the hammer and where does the flint edge strike the hammer?

There's more, but the above is a good beginning.

[RobD]

The gun has been reliable in the past.

The trouble has developed recently and gotten worse.
I've been through multiple flints in various positions trying to diagnose it.

Sometimes the pan does not go off.
Sometimes there is a flash in the pan.
Every few attempts the gun actually fires.

What firearm, what bore, and what lock?

I should assume these tests weren't done in wet or humid air conditions?

Is the load "compact"?  Meaning the powder is fully down the breech and a touch hole pick will be able to poke into the powder, and the patched ball is well seated on the powder column.

What is the diameter of the touch hole? 

Has the touch hole been picked before dropping the cock on the hammer?  Mandatory at least for starters so that the most amount of chamber powder is available to receive the HEAT from the pan flash.

What pan powder kernel size, how much, and where is it located within the pan?  At best very little powder should be centered in the pan and away from the touch hole.

Is the flint edge sharp and fully at 90* to the hammer and where does the flint edge strike the hammer?

There's more, but the above is a good beginning.

Please answer my questions - they are important -  so that I might be able to help you.

[Smokey]

Thanks, Rob. Private message sent.

[RobD]

Thanks, Rob. Private message sent.

No PM received.

[Smokey]

I think it went to an email address maybe?

[RobD]

I think it went to an email address maybe?

Checked spam and junk, nothing.

Please resend to rob@tradmla.org or rfd@rfd.cc

[Smokey]

I think it went to an email address maybe?

Checked spam and junk, nothing.

Please resend to rob@tradmla.org or rfd@rfd.cc

Sorry, Rob. I resent it as pm, I think.  See if it worked this time.