you may well have the older frizzen but they still work well. I would suspect oil on the face of the frizzen or a dull flint. Just wipe the face of the frizzen off with some alcohol and the edge of the flint also. Then try it. If no spark, flip the flint upside down and try it that way. Still no flint, perhaps try a new flint. I would not think the spring in the hammer is weak. I have a hawken with the old frizzen and it shoots fine.