Cap to flint

[crazycrow]

I have a traditions 50cal caplock i would like to convert it over to flintlock can this be done and how much of a pain is it.

[Cherrybow1]

From what I have read on this topic, it can be done, by cutting off the drum flush with barrel and drilling/tapping for a new vent liner. They say do not unscrew the drum and replace with liner because it would make the barrel unsafe.

[Dogshirt]

From what I have read on this topic, it can be done, by cutting off the drum flush with barrel and drilling/tapping for a new vent liner. They say do not unscrew the drum and replace with liner because it would make the barrel unsafe.

That is assuming that the vent will line up with the pan on the flint lock. If the vent does not line up correctly, it will never fire consistantly, and you then have to REconvert back to cap. It would be far simpler to just get one set up for flint.

[hotfxr]

What Dogshirt said. Unless you have a lot of patience and don't mind the high probability of ruining a barrel, you will be money and time ahead purchasing a flint setup. Certain rifles came with a drop in flint option and you can still find them on Gunbroker from time to time.




I have converted several from cap to flint and only one (CVA Kentucky pistol) was fairly painless. Historically many firearms were converted from flint to cap. Few if any went from cap to flint. And if your firearm has a snail (like the T/C or Lyman GPR) it cannot be converted.

[Cherrybow1]

Hotfxr, how did you go about converting the CVA? 

[hotfxr]

Hotfxr, how did you go about converting the CVA? 

You have to know first off that this came to me as a rusted box of gun. It was never pretty. I had to do a bit of repair just to get it working. There are pictures if it floating around this forum. What I did was remove the drum, which I had silver soldered in place as it was just a bit loose. Then drilled out the hole to the next size up, re-threaded it and screwed in a 3/8" hardened bolt. Cut the bolt off and filed it smooth. I had a nice smaller lock so I did a bit of razor and chisel work to get it to fit. It fit, but it was not pretty. I had to glue in supports to seat the lock, then glassed in the spaces and gaps around the lock. marked where the vent hole was to go and broke 6 drill bits drilling out the vent hole.Took the entire piece apart, redid the barrel, (I have done the barrel so many times there is no more writing on it) sanded down the stock, burned some stripes into it, then refinished it with tung oil. At first glance it looks nice. A close look shows all the repairs it has had over the years. But, I don't care. It is unique and fires every time. And really, that's all that matters. Especially during a zombie attack.

[beowulf]

Hotfxr, how did you go about converting the CVA? 

You have to know first off that this came to me as a rusted box of gun. It was never pretty. I had to do a bit of repair just to get it working. There are pictures if it floating around this forum. What I did was remove the drum, which I had silver soldered in place as it was just a bit loose. Then drilled out the hole to the next size up, re-threaded it and screwed in a 3/8" hardened bolt. Cut the bolt off and filed it smooth. I had a nice smaller lock so I did a bit of razor and chisel work to get it to fit. It fit, but it was not pretty. I had to glue in supports to seat the lock, then glassed in the spaces and gaps around the lock. marked where the vent hole was to go and broke 6 drill bits drilling out the vent hole.Took the entire piece apart, redid the barrel, (I have done the barrel so many times there is no more writing on it) sanded down the stock, burned some stripes into it, then refinished it with tung oil. At first glance it looks nice. A close look shows all the repairs it has had over the years. But, I don't care. It is unique and fires every time. And really, that's all that matters. Especially during a zombie attack.

with a flint lock rifle , you best be hoping for those old slow zombies , and not the new fast ones ! 

[Cherrybow1]

Found the pics of the pistol. Looks like a fun shooter to me! Nice project