Not sure what kind of flintlocks you fellows have used in the past but I will say this, my flintlocks are absolutely as reliable as percussions...In fact, I have helped many of my friends pull a ball from their percussion gun...

As far as changing how much powder is in the pan, banking powder, etc...This is the sign of an improperly made flintlock...In a well built flinter the touch hole is behind the heel of the frizzen so you can fill the pan up and not worry about the fuse effect...With a well built flinter, there is no clatch boom...As long as your powder is dry and your flint sharp she will go off, every time...

It's all about learning your weapon and what it will do...