The Lyman rifles are Italian made and of very good quality. The main reason that a lot of the Lyman rifles are ordered as Flintlocks is that they make a rifle that is more "traditional" looking in style and if that is what the interest is it carries over to having it in Flintlock. If I intended to shoot and hunt and there were no restrictions I would go with the cap lock instead of the Flintlock as it is a lot easier to manage with reliable results. The flintlock requires a lot more knowledge and experience to be reliable. I have a Trade rifle in flintlock but have not shot it as yet. It sure is pretty though. It is not my main hunting rifle.