GPR Lock Improvement

[Uncle Russ]

I have been shooting flintlocks for quite awhile and I have loaded the pan from the priming flask for many years!
I started out using FFFFg for priming and I've stuck with it.

Well, I can't say I have NEVER loaded the pan from a horn before because I can remember priming from a little flat  primer horn many years ago....but that was a hit and & miss affair because I never put the same amount in pan each time, and I got a lot of pan flashes back in the early days.

I "think" my first priming flask, dispensing 3-4 grs FFFFg, came from DGW, about the same time I got my .69 smoothie....which would have been in the mid 1970's....It was advertised to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but so was the old Ultra-Hi that I bought at the same time.  
Turner Kirkland must have sold a boat load of those old  Ultra-Hi's, at less than 100 bucks each they were in demand, and many of those old guns are still around.
(I strongly suspect the reason the old Ultra-Hi' are still around is because they were made in Japan by Miruko, a very high quality name when it comes to all manner of firearms, even to this day.)

I like the idea of one powder for everything, but my brass priming flask is so small I carry it on a leather boot lace around my neck, it always there and it's always handy "without" ever having to put the plug back in it each time.

I've never measured just how much that little primer will hold but I guessing well over 100 / 150 grains.....dispensing 3 gr of FFFFg at a time it seems to last forever, much like a full can / pound of FFFFg, it's very much akin to that Energizer Bunny, it keeps going, and going, and.....

Uncle Russ...

[Hawken]

One simple downward punch of this delivers 9/10 to 1.0 grain of 4F into the pan of my flintlock and for this lock it's plenty to give fast ignition!

Untitled by Sharps Man, on Flickr

flint2 by Sharps Man, on Flickr

[RobD]

i have varied reasons for priming out of the the horn ...  

it's the way it was done circa any time before the 20th century, since at best perhaps 2f was all that was available.  unless ya wetted down and mortar/pestle the powder finer, stick it in another horn for priming.  don't know of such a thing in the 18th century, but maybe the 19th?

it's one less powder to be concerned about.  all i need is a good 3f and that takes care of all my trad ml needs from .32 (oops, sold it!) to .62 (the new one is being built by jackie!  "any day now" sez jackie ... yeah, in my dreams    ).

having one horn really simplifies things, and, imo, is safer/faster/easier because only one big horn needs to be dealt with and moved behind the back for safety whence the trigger gets pulled.

it takes both volume and placement of the priming powder to be effective.  just loading in the right amount ain't enuf.  to do both is a simple skill that's easily learnt.

with just a bit of "tuning", 3f makes for durned Fast ignition.  

[Muley]

The pan primer is much easier to handle than a horn for priming. Just hang it from the bag strap and it's easy to get to. One fast push and you're shooting.

Priming is always awkward for me, because i'm very right hand dominant but have to shoot left handed. So, i'm not as delicate with my left hand. The primer makes it easier.

[RobD]

good on you!  those are the perfect facts for sticking with a priming horn, pete!    

[Muley]

I haven't given up on the horn yet. Like you I want to do it as the MM did it. So, i'll work with it.

I never need a big horn. More of what you'd call a day horn. I'm home every night when hunting. So, maybe the smaller horn will work for me. Not a priming horn and not a regular large horn. Something in between.

[RobD]

a very small 1/4lb 4oz horn fulla 3f will deliver twenty 80gn grain shots plus pan priming.

[Hawken]

If a MM had been privy to a 'brass primer'.....he'd have hollered "GLORY BE!"......and taken a shot of whiskey to celebrate the day!!    

[Muley]

That would be more than enough. I do a lot of woods walks, but never take more than 20 shots.

Hunting I always hope to not need more than one shot.  

[Muley]

If a MM had been privy to a 'brass primer'.....he'd have hollered "GLORY BE!"......and taken a shot of whiskey to celebrate the day!!    

[RobD]

to make life easier, put a spring valve on it, too.

[Muley]

Got a small horn you want to sell?




btw..Love the camera. Thanks.  

[RobD]

the above horn, also shown below, will be in the coming TMA Auction.

good on the camera, yer most welcome!

[Muley]

TMA auction?

[RobD]

Got a small horn you want to sell? ...

gotta see what's in the horn bin, might have one you can just have.  soon as i get a bit more, er, mo-bile.