The
lock of a
muzzle-loading firearm is the system used to
ignite the
propellant. Types of lock include
matchlock,
wheellock,
snaplock,
doglock,
snaphance,
flintlock, modern
percussion,
rotating bolt, and experimental
electronic types. Parts of the lock can include the wheel (for wheellocks) and the
hammer and
frizzen (for flintlocks). A complete muzzleloader consists of lock,
stock, and
barrel. In
breech-loading weapons, the general mechanism for handling ammunition is known as the
firearm action.