I Won A Colt Lightning!!!

[rbertalotto]

I can't believe it......I've wanted a vintage Colt Lightning in 38-40 for years. Everytime I find one it is in terrible shape and they want over $2000 for it!

I finally bought a Taurus copy in 45LC and rebarreled it to 38-40.....Runs great, but it's not 'real"...

So I saw on GunBroker.com that someone was selling one in reasonable condition and the bid was only $500. So I put in a bid for a bit over $1000 and I just won it for $856........And it's close enough to where I live that I can drive to pick it up! Don't get no better than this!

Think I'll go buy a lottery ticket tonight!!!

     

Colt Lighting Medium Frame Pump Action Rifle, 38-40 cal. 26" Barrel, Very Good Bore, 15 Round Magazine, Mfg 1884-1902, This one Mfg. 1891 Serial Number Range is 54xxx, No Finish Left on Metal, Stocks Have Been Refinished, Butt Stock Has Small Repairs Around Tang.(See Pictures) I Have Not Fired It, But Have Run Rounds Through It and It Feeds and Ejects Fine.

[Pettifogger]

Good deal.  Of the three rounds the gun is chambered for I think the .38-40 feeds the best.  I have a .38-40 from the first year of production, 1884.  How's the bore?

[Abilene]

Heck of a deal!

[44wcf]

Hope it shoots as good as it looks!!!!!!!!!!

[Blackpowder Burn]

Great looking rifle and one heck of a deal!

Don't forget to go buy that lottery ticket.

[shrapnel]

I do like Colt Lightnings myself. I have had 12-14 of them at one time or another. The 2 pictured here are first model rifles and you can see that your rifle has a replacement stock fabricated by someone without the benefit of an original to copy.

I like the 38-40 caliber the most, the 2 I have are in both 38-40 and 44-40...

[Highlander999]

That's one fine rifle.

[rbertalotto]

I picked it up last week and used it at a shoot on Saturday. It ran perfectly and was super accurate and that long 26" barrel made is stay right on target and was pretty fast.

The bore is in a 9.9 out of 10 condition. The action is very smooth. Not one failure to feed. Just needs a butt stock and I found one on the internet and it will be here tomorrow.

[Slamfire]

 I'm currently trying to get my hands on a 1888, colt  44/40 ( score 7.5-8.75 overall). QUESTION is will it handle smokless loads ( mostly cowboy loads-200 gr. lead), I don't do B/P.

rebrtalotto,,That is a very nice piece. ( i'v only seen pictures of the one I'm try'n to get)



  Hootnix.

[rbertalotto]

That's a tough call. Many folks won't shoot anything but BP in these old rifles. There is concern about the fast rise pressure spikes of all smokeless loads. That said, I use light loads of Trail Boss and 5744 in my vintage 38-40.
Your call....

[shrapnel]

I shoot these original Lightnings a lot. These are both first model lightinings made in 1886 or so. I use Trail Boss powder in them one is a 38-40 the other a 44-40. They work well and have lsted a long time. Not many shooters can keep up with a Lightning...