It seems that the price of a good muzzleloader keeps getting higher and higher. However, I find that used black powder muzzleloaders continue to languish on gun dealer’s shelves and present a great deal. My local gun shop has numerous muzzleloaders for sale that are listed at well below half of their current list price for new models. Compare this to modern centerfire rifles where to find a used rifle at below half of the new cost it would have to be in pretty rough condition. A well made modern muzzleloader is no less well made that their centerfire cousins and a used muzzleloader offers a great opportunity for those looking to expand their collection or to get into black powder hunting. Here are some basic tips and advice to get a great deal on a used muzzleloader.
First, stick with muzzleloaders that are still being made or at least that their manufacturer is still in business. Brands such as CVA, Thompson Center, etc. are well make and you should more easily be able to located parts for a gun from a large manufacturer.
The enemy of the black powder muzzleloader is the black powder itself (or more properly a neglectful owner). The muzzleloaders will take some amount of neglect and abuse, but a muzzleloader that has been repeatedly left dirty with corrosive black powder in its barrel and on its action can suffer severe damage. As the breeches of most muzzleloaders are not easily removable, a bore light to is often not too easy to use to see the inside of a barrel. Use your bore light (or a flashlight) to attempt to put light through the flash hole or nipple of the muzzleloader and look down the barrel for signs of corrosion. A light shined into the end of the barrel will also provide some look at the internal rifling. If possible run a dry patch down the barrel to look for rust and rough spots that will grab the patch. If there is no visible sign of severe damage to the barrel, chances are you will be able to get the muzzleloader to shoot decent groups. If the price is very low, I personally would be too scared to take a chance on a rough barrel as I like to tinker with my guns, but this is a personal choice. Look for cracks in the barrel. If a barrel has cracks it will need replaced.
Perhaps more telling than the barrel is the lock mechanism. A poorly cared for used muzzleloader will probably show pitting and other signs of corrosion around the lock. This is especially true of a flintlock. While the lock can be replaced relatively easily a seriously damaged lock is probably a good sign that the barrel was neglected as well.
As with all guns some signs will tell a prospective buyer a lot about the gun. Perfect wood and metal finish probably means the gun was little used. Slowly move the lock mechanism to assure that it positively hits all the positions (normally muzzleloaders have a half cock and full cock position). Gently push forward on the hammer at all of the positions to assure that the hammer stays put. Again a gun that won’t stay at half or full cock can probably be easily repaired, but this should dramatically reduced the price. While holding the hammer to keep it from falling check the trigger to assure that it works properly. Muzzleloaders with a set trigger (the rear trigger ‘sets’ the front / hair trigger to an easier pull) should be tested both using and not using the set trigger.
Have a competent gunsmith give the gun a look over before firing. If the gun does not come with a manual get one from the manufacturer before using your muzzleloader.
Use common sense to buy a used muzzleloader and you should get a quality arm to hunt with for many years a great price.
