the lock of a firearm is the firing mechanism used to ignite the propellant. types of lock include matchlock, wheellock, snaplock, snaphance, miquelet lock, doglock, flintlock, modern caplock/percussion cap, and experimental electronic types. parts of the lock can include the serpentine (for matchlocks), wheel (for wheellocks), cock and frizzen (for flintlocks) or the hammer (for caplocks). a complete muzzleloader consists of lock, stock, and barrel.