Colt Lightning Rifles

[Deadeye Don]

You have a desert to shoot in?       sigh.

[Tubac]

Yup, an advantage to livin' in Arizona. Although 35 years ago the desert was a lot closer.
Get off I-10 and you got  miles & miles of nothin. Except cactus, mesquite, creosote bushes and probablly some illegals.
Where about do you live Don?

Tubac

[Deadeye Don]

I live just barely north of Indianapolis. I shoot in Modoc, Indiana  with the Great Lakes Freight and Mining Company posse.  Very soon I will be shooting with the Scarlet Mask Vigilance Society (Ottawa Creek Bills group).   I wouild love just to be able to go out and shoot in a wide open place.  Unfortunately there are no such places around here.  Everything is too built up.  I would have the local swat team on me if I tried. 

[Tubac]

Don,
I'd invite you to come out here, but we already have about 4 million people more than we need.
There are two county gunranges, but they're only open on weekends. If you work weekends like me, too bad.
Here's a photo of the old gal and the two Merwins I shot today.
Take care.
Tubac

[Dr. Bob]

Aw Tubac,

Ya made me drool all over myself.   Great looking firearms!  Hope that you can get the MH acting right!!

[Tubac]

Dr Bob,
Thank you for the kind words. Have you got arround to firing your M-H .38?

Tubac

[Dr. Bob]

Tubac,

Actually , no, and it is a 32 S&W.  Don't have any ammo.

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Tubac, I have 3 original Colt Lightning rifles all chambered in 32-20 and all have been redone by Eldon Penner. I originally shot the first one as it was, for the first 3 years I owned it, then I broke an internal part (the magazine stop), thats when I decided to send it to Eldon. Now I can shoot it slam-fire & all, without worry. WBR
PS. I have on my avatar picture a Herwin & Hulbert too, I also own a 3rd model 7" barreled single action pocket army in 44wcf.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/WBR_photo/4E.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/WBR_photo/3E.jpg
WBR

[Tubac]

Wild Ben,
Thanks for the info. Does Mr Penner rework/beef-up the actions? Do you fire black powder in them? Mine was not all that dirty after firing 50 rounds through it. It's really fun to shoot.
I noticed the M-H right away. It's interesting that both Raymond and "Yankee" Judd ( my avatar) were photo'ed in
Leadville.
My pocket army is double action, it's from the auction you were talking about. The barrel/cylinder are one number, the frame is another and it's been replated. I thought i got a good deal. The pearl grips on yours are really nice. but then the whole gun is nice.
I found the problem, I think, there is a pawl that holds the hammer back on full cock. It seems to slip out of position and jam the action. I followed St George's advice and greased all the contacting surfaces. Its working OK for the time being.
Thanks again for your help.
Tubac

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Wild Ben,
Thanks for the info. Does Mr Penner rework/beef-up the actions? Do you fire black powder in them? Mine was not all that dirty after firing 50 rounds through it. It's really fun to shoot.
Yes! he makes a stronger magazine stop and replaces the guide/ejection bars (They are much harder), he also relines the barrel and replaces some of the screws. Then makes sure they are in time & work properly. I have only shot Black powder in one of them once and had no problems.
I noticed the M-H right away. It's interesting that both Raymond and "Yankee" Judd ( my avatar) were photo'ed in
Leadville.
I hate to say it but it possably makes sence, but I read in Firearms of the American West Vol. 2, that Merwin, Hulbert revolver was most likely a prop gun used by the photographic studio.
My pocket army is double action, it's from the auction you were talking about. The barrel/cylinder are one number, the frame is another and it's been replated. I thought i got a good deal. The pearl grips on yours are really nice. but then the whole gun is nice.
I'm glad someone like you picked up that Merwin, Hulbert as I thought it was a good price for a piece like that.
I found the problem, I think, there is a pawl that holds the hammer back on full cock. It seems to slip out of position and jam the action. I followed St George's advice and greased all the contacting surfaces. Its working OK for the time being.
I had a short barreled single action pocket army at one time (for a very short time) that would not always lock-up or sometimes not even turn the cylinder, found the problem with the hand being too short & not shaped the right way. I fixed it but I had a friend that wanted it real real bad and made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
Thanks again for your help.
Tubac

WBR