OT - Kentucky Flintlock pistols?

[rjohns94]

anybody out there built one? bought one? any custom guns out there? show me some pics please! I have the mind to build one, and I have some ideas but I would like to see what you like.

[JerryB]

I don't have a flinchlock but the one in the picture with my rifle is a caplock that like my rifle can be converted to flint. My friend in Tennessee built it for me just before he started on my rifle.This was back in about 1968 I think. It is a good shooter and I won a lot of matches with it. I think the flint is more in line with the eastern longrifle era of Simon Kenton and Simon Girty. Both of my caplocks are more towards the transition period of going west. Good luck with your work in that direction.

[Hobie]

I grew up with the Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone Disney movies and had the hots for a genuine Kentucky pistol. When we moved to Kentucky, in some of the same area hunted by D. Boon himself I was more than excited. Fortunately, or not, we had friends who had ORIGINAL pistols of this general format who actually SHOT them! They even let snot-nosed, tow-headed, half-blind kids shoot with them. Wow, that was so cool, until I actually shot it. What a disappointment. I've never gotten over that. The grip shape was just too uncomfortable and my larger size hasn't helped change that perception.

They are neat to look at, work like a rifle, but just don't suit ME for fun times. Like matchlocks which are neat but exceed the ability of my lazy-gene controlled labor level, the Kentucky pistol has exceeded my adaptability-gene's ability to ignore the odd grip shape. I suggest you try one, somebody elses. Hey, you're in PA, go to Dixon's fair!

[marlinman93]

Always wanted a Kentucky rifle, but the pistols never did much for me either. Actually, what I'd really love is one of those Pedersoli Gibbs rifles in .40 caliber!

[C. Cash]

I built a CVA kit when I was young. Rough is a kind word to use in describing the trigger and lock. But, it was still fun to make it go boom. It is a different grip that you definitely have to grow into. Just for playing around one of the European kits would work. You might try Track of the Wolf for Parts or the Log Cabin Shop. It would also be a good question to pose on americanlongrifles.com as there are many builders there to give you their .02

Something my local builder mentioned that I had not thought of. The half-cock notch/metal tab that holds it there can and sometimes does, fail. So, it does seem an extreme act of faith to carry around a pistol stuck into your belt or sash and have a very real danger of it going off at the wrong time. A leather cover for the frizzen would help I guess. I've decided to carry my conceal carry gun as a backup instead. Still be neat to have a KY pistol to shoot again though.

[20cows]

The half-cock notch/metal tab that holds it there can and sometimes does, fail.

Uh-oh, do I smell a cross-bolt safety coming on all new flintlocks?

[C. Cash]

The half-cock notch/metal tab that holds it there can and sometimes does, fail.

Uh-oh, do I smell a cross-bolt safety coming on all new flintlocks?

Lets hope not 20 Cows!