My observation: I have shot flintlocks and percussion guns for well over half a century and have become well acquainted with the idiosyncrasies of both. Both guns have their merits and advocates and I do not wish to enter into any argument with either. It is true that the percussion ignition is faster than most flintlocks and lends itself well to wingshooting. And, properly maintained, it is much surer in wet conditions than flintlocks. Excepting this, a well made flintlock has the most reliable ignition of the two. If the shooter is well versed in maintaining flintlocks and has done so the gun will hardly ever fail to fire properly when the trigger is pulled. If it does fail then the blame rests solely on the manager, not the gun. In contrast, on numerous occasions with percussion guns I have experienced hangfires or plain misfires and could not discover a satisfactory explanation for the failure. The slightest obstacle in the convuluted fire channel of a percussion gun can easily cause either. So, I do not find it strange that it seems the flintlock continued to be the choice of many hunters and frontiersmen well after the percussion era began, especially among those who travelled far from settlements for extended periods.
Frederick Ruxton, travelling in the Far West in the mid-1840's observed many of the mountaineers still using their flintlocks. This was not due to poverty or supply but a desire to preserve their hair.
Since 1980 I have shot flintlocks almost exclusively when hunting four legged game. And during that time I've taken quite a few deer and elk. Without exception I have never had my rifle fail to perform at the crucial time with perfection. In earlier years, shooting the percussion gun, I never knew what would happen at that moment.
Note: I have spoken of well made flintlocks, not the mass produced items imported from Europe. There is no such thing as a good, cheap flintlock. That is an oxymoron.
Northern New Mexico, .58 flintlock roundball, large roundfaced English lock by Jim Chambers Flintlocks.
