I thought this might....

[Hanshi]

I've wondered for a long time about which is more popular; flintlocks or caplocks.  Well, after plenty of time on the forums I've figured it out to my satisfaction.  I'm now quite certain percussions are far ahead of flinters as far as the number owned and used the most as well as by more people.  I'm a flintlock shooter but do happen to own three caplocks.  I started off with a percussion in the 1960s but also bought a flintlock in the '60s.  From there on out I pretty much relied on percussion and owned, fired, hunted with various ones I happened to have accumulated.  All but one were OC and cheap some even in pieces or 2nd hand cheap kits indifferently assembled.  I liked them and took plenty of game with them from squirrels to deer. 

My very first caplock is retired but the other two still see some use, but it's rare.  One is an Over the Counter but the other one was actually built from a plank - a few on this forum own rifles by the same maker.  None cost more than (actually a lot less) simple production guns of 20 years ago.

Let's see what your opinions are concerning lock popularity.  But I vote caplock as the most popular.

[Patocazador]

Flintlocks are cool because you don't need any extra accoutrements like a cap which are in short supply now. However, for the majority of black powder shooters cap locks are the way to go. They are more dependable when hunting in foul weather and don't need tuning or better flints. Plus they are usually cheaper.

If caps become unavailable, flintlock popularity will increase.

[beowulf]

own both , like both , but prefer flintlocks , and my first  muzzle loader was a cva kentucky kit , that cost a tad over $6o bucks , it almost turned me against flintlocks , the lock was total garbage , as unreliable as a senator,but ,if you could get it to fire incredibly accurate  . next rifle was a big bore mountain rifle in percussion , every bit as reliable as you could want ,and both from the same company ! kit cost $150 bucks , first good flinter was a tc renegade , $275 new, there have been many since , and so far the flinters were every bit as good as the percussion`s , most I`ve ever paid for a rifle was $1050, for a custom transitional in .69 caliber , with the works , relief carving, super high grade curly maple and just a great shooter , only had one problem with it , danged thing weighed in at 13 pounds 8 ounces . favorite was an old custom Tennessee mountain rifle in .40 caliber curly cherry stock , iron hardware , and a 39 inch barrel , weighed in at just over 7 pounds !  picked it up used and in need of work for $400, great shooter , easy to carry , would like to find another like it !

[flintboomer]

The problem NOW with flinters is that flints are also getting harder to find and more expensive.

The supply of good gray english flints has dried up and if you are currently low on flints get them while you can.

[Hanshi]

It is possible, depending on where you live, to create you own usable flints.  Of course you can get a kit and make your own caps; but one flint gives many shots while one cap gives only one shot.  Thankfully I have enough caps and flints to satisfy the amount of shooting I get to do.

[gunhawk]

 I see more caplocks in use, seems by quite a bit.  Unfortunately, all of us trad. muzzleloaders, whether cap or flint seem to be on the decline. Up to all of us to keep the trad. muzzlegun going.  Of course, shortages of everything from flints, to caps, to powder puts a squeeze on the hobby.  Keep going anyway !!

[Hanshi]

I agree, gunhawk.  Percussion definitely leads the pack as they are simple, less trouble and reliable.  But I much prefer flint, they harken back to a more distant time.  I've taken much game with both but more with flintlocks.  And once you bond with a good flintlock they can be almost as reliable and trouble free as capguns.