Siler locks is now made by Jim Chambers who has not let quality declined a bit since taking it over. L&R is also a name brand in the muzzle loading industry. As for De Haas barrels, I've heard of it before and nothing bad about it either.
You may want to go slow rather than rush out and buy a gun. Look around and try someone else's rifle first. Your taste will probably change over time. Mine certainly has.
I've always wanted to cheat and have a minie ball barrel made into a flintlock. Civil War technology masked with "trade gun" or "fowler" appearance. Looks ordinary but drives that "ball" further and with greater accuracy than any gun Daniel Boone ever owned.
