taurus thunderbolt

[fenwick]

I am thinking about getting back into cowboy shooting in the WC class.
Is the taurus thunderbolt pump in .45 lc an option. I think they are a
lightning knockoff. Friend of mine has the uberti lightning an loves it
now that the bugs have been workd out. He says the taurus is a flip
of the coin whether it will have problems or not.I think the rear sights
are definitely crap but thats fixable. also are there pistol reloads in the
working cowboy class. IF so the would one of the schoefield copies
be an advantage. If everone had to shoot a colt clone and a lever
action then the choice would be much easier.

[Irish Dave]

I am thinking about getting back into cowboy shooting in the WC class. Sounds good, pardner.

Is the taurus thunderbolt pump in .45 lc an option. If you mean are they legal, the answer's yes. They are accurate and reasonably priced. I had one and had no problems. Others haven't been as fortunate.

He says the taurus is a flip of the coin whether it will have problems or not. Sadly, that's probably true. As I said, no problems with mine, but others (especially with the earlier models) weren't as lucky.

also are there pistol reloads in the working cowboy class. Depends on the stage writer. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Most folks I know shooting WC don't care much for them so I think most stage writers keep them to a bare minimum -- if they have them at all.

IF so the would one of the schoefield copies be an advantage. They probably are an advantage on reload stages. I'd say however, that there's usually not enough reloads (in my WC experience) for that to be the determining factor in choosing a revolver.

[Montana Slim]

Agree with Dave's comment and add that my Pa recently acquired a Thunderbolt...it works very well, when you operate it briskly.

I'd be tempted to shoot WC class if there were more reloads, (I like to shoot). I'd rather carry more ammo and fewer guns 

My preferred hardware is 1860 Colts or conversions and 1866 Rifle.

Regards,
Slim

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[Deadeye Don]

Just be aware that some well known gunsmiths wont work on Thunderbolts anymore because of the quality issues.  There are other much better lightening repos out there, but of course you get what you pay for.  At least check out Pedersoli and USFA.

[Bankrobber]

Would the reliability issue be the reason the 38/357 version is unavailable, even though all the model still shows on the manufacturer's web-site?

[Deadeye Don]

My understanding was that Taurus was not making the Thunderbolts any longer.  I would check with an FFL to see if you can still order them before getting your hopes up too high.

[Irish Dave]

Bankrobber:

I believe the .38 version had been promised for some time, but I think Taurus had so much trouble with the .45 version, I'm not sure the 38s were ever actually manufactured (at least I've never seen one).

I think Don's correct.  I also understand that Taurus has discontinued the Thunderbolt.