GPR Lock Improvement

[Muley]

I just checked the breech and it's clean. I'm not sure if my flushing last night cleaned it or it was always clean. Originally I had just cleaned the bore, but I didn't flush. Which is rare for me. I always flush.

So, I know the hole is 1/16" and breech channel is clear. I'm getting a good spark and the powder i'm using is right. I use alcohol swabs on the flint, pan, and frizzen between shots. I clean the bore between shots. Nothing to do but go shoot it again.

Good thing caplock barrels and locks are expensive from Lyman.

[amm1851]

Don't give up yet. Try the 5/64 ths that was suggested.  Also, some rifles like 4f to prime.  I bet you can get the bugs worked out. When I first started shooting flint, the learning curve was very steep. The learning never stops,  which for me is part of the fun, and the satisfaction when you get the flinter working right is the payoff.

[Muley]

I'm not actually serious about changing to caplock. I have a little voice in my head telling me to do it, but I never listen to that guy.

This is my 2nd GPR flint. I did give up on the first one. I won't do it this time. I'm trying to use the same powder for pan and tube, because I know that's how it was done with the MM. I can't join the AMM, but I like how they do things and that's what I want to do. My plans are to dress like the MM did in 1830-1840's full time. I'm sure i'll get some chuckles, but who cares. It's not my style to play dress up for just events. I have to become my persona full time to be happy with myself.

So, my mind is set on using a flintlock. I'll get it working or die trying. A custom Hawken with a good lock would make life easier, but I have to work with what I can afford.

I'll say one thing to the postal shooters. You have no worries from me beating you. I don't think i'll ever be as accurate with a flint as I am with a caplock. I may be wrong, but I don't think so. I'll give it 100% though and have fun trying.

[rollingb]

I agree, don't give up yet.
If you don't have any 4F,.... try grinding some 3F up finer using a wooden bowel and the big end of a baseball bat. (if handy   )

..... or something similar.  

[rollingb]

I'm not actually serious about changing to caplock. I have a little voice in my head telling me to do it, but I never listen to that guy.

This is my 2nd GPR flint. I did give up on the first one. I won't do it this time. I'm trying to use the same powder for pan and tube, because I know that's how it was done with the MM. I can't join the AMM, but I like how they do things and that's what I want to do. My plans are to dress like the MM did in 1830-1840's full time. I'm sure i'll get some chuckles, but who cares. It's not my style to play dress up for just events. I have to become my persona full time to be happy with myself.

So, my mind is set on using a flintlock. I'll get it working or die trying. A custom Hawken with a good lock would make life easier, but I have to work with what I can afford.

I'll say one thing to the postal shooters. You have no worries from me beating you. I don't think i'll ever be as accurate with a flint as I am with a caplock. I may be wrong, but I don't think so. I'll give it 100% though and have fun trying.

That's the spirit!!!!!!!  :hey-hey

[Muley]

I agree, don't give up yet.
If you don't have any 4F,.... try grinding some 3F up finer using a wooden bowel and the big end of a baseball bat. (if handy   )

..... or something similar.  

[rollingb]

You're trying to get rid of me so you won't have to shoot against me huh?

Good plan.  

Seriously though,.... as long as you grind the powder by using something made of wood you are safe,... some folks use 2 spoons to do it.  

[Muley]

The only reason I didn't use 4F this time was the problems I had with my last GPR. During rainy/snowy weather I had a hard time keeping the 4F dry. It sucked up moisture like a sponge and I had the lock covered.

The second problem is I couldn't keep the powder in the pan when hunting. I couldn't figure out where it was leaking out. I'd put powder in the pan, close the frizzen and shake the gun, turn it upside down and up and down. Open the frizzen and the pan was full. Yet when walking along hunting i'd open the frizzen and the pan was empty. I was baffled and swore on the spot i'd never buy 4F again.


That's my 4F story and i'm sticking to it.  

[rollingb]

The only reason I didn't use 4F this time was the problems I had with my last GPR. During rainy/snowy weather I had a hard time keeping the 4F dry. It sucked up moisture like a sponge and I had the lock covered.

The second problem is I couldn't keep the powder in the pan when hunting. I couldn't figure out where it was leaking out. I'd put powder in the pan, close the frizzen and shake the gun, turn it upside down and up and down. Open the frizzen and the pan was full. Yet when walking along hunting i'd open the frizzen and the pan was empty. I was baffled and swore on the spot i'd never buy 4F again.


That's my 4F story and i'm sticking to it.  :shock:  

[Muley]

I feel better now that I have the answer. Must be doing it during one of my naps.

[JStanley]

Pete - when I first got my GPR, I drilled the vent out to 1/16".  That helped, some.  Then I took a peek down the bore with a borescope and found the vent liner protruded quite a ways into the antechamber that Rob has shown.



I took  it out, carefully wrapped it in electrical tape and filed the powder side until it was flush with the sidewall of the antechamber.



This made a big difference in the perceived lock time.  You don't especially need a borescope but just a file.  it was about 2 threads worth of material that I removed in all to achieve the improved results.  (sorry for the grainy pics, gotta take a picture of the video display on the borescope)

[Muley]

Ok, that's an idea. Who makes your vent liners?

[rollingb]

I feel better now that I have the answer. Must be doing it during one of my naps.

Yup!  

Question,.... did you ever notice any primin' powder in your lock when you removed it for cleaning?
On some flinters,.... with a low positioned liner and the liner's screwdriver slot positioned straight "up and down" the prime can possibly sneak out of the pan and into the lock and mortise.

[RobD]

LOTS of good stuff for all to contemplate in this excellent thread.  

[Muley]

No, i can't remember that, but it was awhile ago. Certainly not with the gun I have now, but i haven't tested it to see if it leaks. I was hoping using 3F cured the problem. I never did try it in my old GPR. It might have been all it needed.

Now that I think about it. My old GPR was never the fastest flintlock, but it always fired. I wouldn't have taken it hunting otherwise.

Well, I had lunch, so time to go shoot. Fingers crossed.