flintlock frustrations!

[Mr. 16 gauge]

O.K. guys....I've been shooting traditional black powder for several years now, but I am somewhat new to flintlocks. I bought a Cabela's trade musket about a year and a half ago, and due to work restraints and other factors, I haven't been able to get out and shoot it as often as I like.
One of the things I notice is that I don't get many 'sparks' out of a flint....seems I get 6-8 good ignitions, then nothing! Not even the "flash in the pan". I am using both english and amber flints, with roughly the same success. Should I be cleaning my flint and frizzen off after each firing? Not really sure why I am not getting a decent shower of sparks.

Anybody got any insights? Thanks in advance.

[Gil Martin]

I am not familiar with the Cabelas trade musket so I am going out on a limb. If the flints are good ones, and you are using black powder, then I would look at the frizzen. I prefer Lyman frizzens and have fitted them to all of my T/C flintlocks with great success. The local gun shop sells Lyman frizzens for about $13.95. They are drop-ins on some flintlocks, while others need a bit of fitting. That is what I would do and see if it corrects the problem. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

I like my flinters and get more than 6-8 shots out of my flints. First, I wipe off the flint and frizzen often because the heavy BP priming fouling will reduce the sparks on my flinters. Second, I use a piece of fine crocous cloth to polish my frizzen faces after every range session. A smoother frizzen face does not shatter the sharp edge of flints.

Did your flint generate more sparks after you cleaned it? I wash off my flints as part of normal cleaning.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Thanks guys....the lock is a "Lott" (or at least that is what it has on the side). It appears to be rather well made, but I dont know that much about them.
The frizzen does have some scratches in it....I will do the crocus cloth thing prior to the next range session; also, I will try wiping the flint/frizzen after every few shots and see if that helps. After cleaning, I do seem to get a much better shower of sparks. If that doesn't work, I guess I will see about Gil's suggestion on getting the frizzen replaced.
I do plan on seeing about getting the front sight replaced with a smaller on.....It shoots quite low at 25 yards and I am hoping I can get a small 'turtle' bead put on to make it a little more authentic and make it shoot to point of aim a little better. This last range session had me a bit frustrated; out of 10 clays, I only hit one, and I missed a couple because the gun failed to spark. My intent is to eventually take the gun waterfowling.....that is, if I can ever get to hitting anything with it regularly!