Colt Lightning Rifle 44-40--problems

[nichtmussolini]

I am new here, my name is Heinz, I am from Austria, but I am collecting for many years "Western Guns".
Some years ago I got a Colt Lightning rifle in good condition, the system works properly, but, after I have fired a round, the whole system is blocked, can`t pull the forearm back. That mean, I have to dismantle the rifle. Do anybody know about this problem?
All help you can give me in this matter is very wellcomed.
Thank you in advance
Heinz

[St. George]

Here's a possible problem - an eroded chamber 'may' be causing your fired brass to expand and effectively adhere to the chamber wall.

These rifles were used with a lot of black powder - and not everyone cleaned them properly - allowing corrosion to occur.

Have a gunsmith check for chamber erosion.

All is not lost, though - bad barrels 'can' be re-lined.

Other than that - some part within the mechanism may've worn badly - so while your gunsmith is at it - have him look for undue wear at the bearing points.

Essentially - they were built of iron - and iron can stretch or wear faster than hardned steel.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pettifogger]

Two basic problems.  The first is the gun is out of time and a round has slipped under the carrier.  Even if this happens, the bolt will usually start to open and come back a bit.  If it won't open at all, check the chamber for pits.  I have one with the same problem.  Kept it as a backup for several years and when I finally needed it and took it out to test fire it, it fired but would not open.  Got home, pulled it apart, and looked in the chamber and it had one big pit in there.  Shell expands into the pit(s) and locks the gun short.  As noted by St. George, the only real solution for a pitted chamber is to reline the barrel.  If you know a machinist you can also ream out the old chamber area, insert a plug into the back of the barrel and re-chamber that.  Either way you need a machine shop.

[nichtmussolini]

Thank you very much for all your quick replies. I will follow all of your advises step by step.
Agai, tank you very much
Heinz

[Hoof Hearted]

Heinz

Could be as simple as the cartridge being too short or too long. Will the rifle eject and feed loaded cartridges? In a safe place try cycling some of your ammo through the rifle without firing them. I have experienced this situation on my 44-40 Lightning with different loads.

Hope this helps!
HH