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Course Outline

On these early firearms, locks played the role of modern-day actions. Matchlock and wheel lock muzzleloaders are rare and valuable, but they also may be unsafe to use. Flintlocks and percussion locks are the muzzleloaders typically used for shooting competitions and for hunting. They are generally less expensive, lighter, more reliable, and easier to load and maintain than matchlocks and wheel locks.

Matchlock parts: slow match, pan cover, pan, and serpentine.
Wheel lock parts: pan, pan cover, pyrite, cock or doghead, and spring-powered wheel
Percussion lock parts: cock, cap, and nipple
  • Unit 5 of 9
  • Topic 1 of 5
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