I've been thinking about getting into black powder shooting. I'm experienced with firearms, but not these ones. I like the traditional-looking rifles and muskets. Should I build one from a kit? Buy a new one? What kind- flint or percussion? Thanks in advance for the help.
Many years ago I got a replica "1851 Colt" - percussion of course - and was hooked right away. Not for the impatient and hasty .
I think its better to ease in with percussion, and the Italian replicas (Uberti, Fratelli Pieta) are reasonably priced and very good quality. I stayed with mid 19th century for now, and have a fair collection (including a 10 gauge shotgun... now thats a gun) but will certainly go on to flintlocks and such as soon as time and opportunity allows.
Building from a kit can be very satisfying too - but not necessarily a budget matter (price differences are not very big). Building from near scratch would be an 'ultimate achievement' - someday.
In the interest of brevity (translation: I don't have much time right now ) I'll leave the price & kit questions alone. But I would recommend you start with a percussion and then a flint later if you'd like. For the simple reason that the percussions give you one less thing to have to worry about when just getting started in black powder.
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