You kinda sound like me a couple weeks ago..... I wanted the same thing, a flintlock that would be easy to operate and as dependable as an In-Line muzzlelaoder. Well keep dreaming!

I did a lot of research and some of the guys on here gave me some good advice. I ended up buying the same gun your considering, a thompson Center "Firestorm"

Let me first say that I did not get it just because it uses Pyrodex pellets because I was warned that in a flintlock they will not always go off like in a muzzlloader with a percussion cap or primer. Pyrodex in general is harder to ignite then black powder even in granular form.

Anyway, I bought this T/C gun. It was the right price and I wanted to be able to shoot conicals and possibly sabots. It also has a breech plug so its pretty nice to clean and you will be doing a lot of that. It has a 1/48 twist barrel. I took it out to the range after reading both brochures that came with it and becoming familiar with all the supplies and tools that one has to have for flintlock operation. Yes, there is a lot of stuff to buy... Wow, did I spend some money.

I'm happy with the gun it seems like good craftmanship especially the barrel and sights. My first 3 shots using the Pyrodex pellets did go off but there was a longer delay then I expected. I have since purchased some real blackpower and will try that. I was told it will ignite faster and more reliable if kept dry. I find it odd that even in T/C handbook for the Firestorm they recommend using blackpowder instead of the pellets even though they are advertising this gun for use with pyrodex pellets and its special breechplug designed to ignite them.