Colt Lightning Re-Barrel...45LC to 38WCF

[rbertalotto]

I recently re-barreled my Colt Lightning (Taurus Clone) from 45LC to 38-40 (38WCF)

I wrote a short article with pictures on my web site.

Hope you enjoy it!

www.rvbprecision.com

[Old Top]

Thank You Rbertalotto,

That was excellent, I wish I lived closer so I could see these projects come to fruitation.

Old Top

[Six Gun Saint]

So I'm wondering now if all the scathing hate that the Lightning Clones get are because the action was designed for a different cartridge than what they're chambered in... 

Makes a man think, cause about a year ago I saw one of them Taurus jobbies for sale at my local pawn shop. 

Oh, it's certain I am it's not there anymore-but now that I know they can be salvaged and made to function quite right, it's a cool little design, and rather unique to boot!

I mean, I'm no fan of the bottle necks (you can keep ALL the .44-40, thank you very fine!), but I'd be willing to deal with that for a functioning pump rifle!

Great article, to be sure!

[Blackpowder Burn]

They were designed for bottleneck cartridges, and that's what they work best with.  I have two Lightnings (a USFA and a Pedersoli) that are chambered for the 44-40 and both work flawlessly.  And the bottleneck is no more difficult to load than a straight walled case once you learn the proper techniques.

[Six Gun Saint]

See, I don't like a .44-40.  At all.  It's probably my least favorite cartridge.  Does not do well with my shoulder, you see...

...

Then again, it is possible the fella what loaned me his rifle was running warthog loads...  I hear them BP shootin' fellas are a bit masochistic.   

What's that .38 version of a bottleneck?  That could work.  Because as I said, I dig me the Lightning.

[Old Top]

SixGun,

That would be 32-20, a very flat shooting and packs a heck of a wallop at the target, not much recoil.

Old Top

[Six Gun Saint]

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled, then.  I like the look of the Lightning, and heck, even WITH all it's issues, it'll probably feed better'n my R92 did today!  (Three stovepipes on the first stage-LIVE ROUND stovepipes.  Come to find out it was also made for a bottleneck cartridge)