robert,

I read something about the lead to hold the flint still. both good and bad. being that i cast my own round balls. it would be alot cheaper then the leather. I will figure it out, I hope.

i prefer the lead. Leather wrapped flint threw less spark while the lead throws nice bright orange to white spark and a lot more of it.

More reason to go out and shoot!

Try the 4F, the lead, check the pan and liner gap and the amount of powder in the pan you will get it.

Let's not confuse hang fire from a sparking problem...Locks are
easy to diagnose, take it off, put a little powder in the pan and
trip the sear...

Once the powder in the pan burns, the lock has done it's job, a
hang fire has to do with the touch hole as long as real black powder
is being used...