Video - Colt's Lightning Rifle

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

Shooting USFA's version of the Colt Lightning rifle in .44-40.

This rifle is very tightly chambered, so I have to rack the slide with authority to chamber my B-P rounds with .429" bullets to get them to chamber fully. But I don't shoot this gun often enough to make it worth my while to size up some .427"s just for this rifle.

My buddy Roughshod has an original Lightning in .44-40 that won't chamber a round with a bullet bigger than .427", so I'm lucky this one will chamber them...usually.

[Deadeye Don]

I always enjoy your videos.  Thanks for this one Mike.

[Blackpowder Burn]

Mike,

I, too, have a USFA Lightning in 44-40, but in the carbine configuration.  I also recently purchased a Pedersoli Lightning in 44-40 in the 24" octagon barrel rifle configuration.  I shoot BP and 0.428 Mav Dutchman bullets in both and accuracy is great.  As you say.....'too easy."

I'll never be a fast shooter, so the Lightnings appeal to me as being out of the ordinary.  I shoot them as main match rifles.

[Rafe Covington]

Thanks I enjoyed that, looking to buy a Pedersoli Lighting Rifle myself. Always enjoy your videos.

Rafe

[hellgate]

Another fun video. I like the closeups during the narrative; it's like you are right there talking to me.
A friend of mine has a Lightening in 45LC (I think) and only certain brass brands feed well so at the last "lost brass" match we possed together on I was able to stand right behind him and catch the ejected empties in my hat before they hit the ground. Nice rearward ejection.

[w44wcf]

Mike,
As always, thank you for your very interesting, informative presentation on a vintage rifle!

Here is an interesting part of Colt "Lightning" history that I learned from a U.M.C. cartridge collector when I was researching the history of the 44 W.C.F. / 44-40 cartridge.

Shortly after its introduuction, a number of rifles found their way to Australia. After a short period of time, it became known as the "Magic" rifle.

U.M.C. decided to make 44-40 cartridges with the "Magic" headstamp to commemorate the "Magic" rifle.

Here is a drawing of the cartridge that was sent to me by the U.M.C. cartridge collector.  Originals  are very rare and sell for close to $250 each(!)



Cartridge history sure is interesting.......

w44wcf

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

w44wcf, I'd never heard of "Magic" rifles and cartridges.

Thanks!

[fourfingersofdeath]

I was always led to believe that the demise of the Burgess rifle was due to an agreement between Colt and Winchester. You stick to pistols and we'll stick to lever action rifles and won't develop a pistol sort of thing.

An enjoyable video. I have almost bought a Taurus Lightning a few times, but don't want ont in 45Colt.  can't afford a USFA.

Also, you will get better spray from those PET bottles if you fill them absolutely to the brim. Any airspace acts as a bit of a shock absorber. I fill mine to the brim and slightly squeeze the bottle until the meniscus is over the top as I screw the cap on. I like the coloured water effect!

great stuff.

[DesertSon]

 The way you hold that rifle is rock steady, now if only I could teach my hands to do that.

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

Hi Fourfingersofdeath,

That Winchester/Colt treaty is a great story, but it is unlikely to be true. I wrote an article on that subject for the Fall 2011 issue of "Guns of the Old West" magazine.

The historical provenance of that story goes to an uncorroborated story told by Edwin Pugsley, who started working for Winchester in 1911...almost 30 years after the supposed deal took place. Pugsley was married to O.F. Winchester's granddaughter, and he based the story on family gossip. I think someone in the family really embellished over time something that may once have had a tiny kernel of truth.

The fact is that in 1883 Winchester wasn't the least bit concerned with Colt's lever-action competition. Colt only sold 6,500 Burgess rifles from 1883 through 1887. In 1883 alone, Winchester sold over 35,000 Model 1873 rifles. They were much more concerned with Marlin, and for good reason. Marlin had a successful .45-70 lever-action, and Winchester did not.

Also, if Colt agreed to stop lever gun production they were pretty dilatory about it. They kept making the Burgess for four years...even after the Lightning was in production.

The truth is that the Burgess rifle was a poor seller and Colt let it fade away quietly.

By the way, that article has the first new pictures of Mason Williams' Winchester prototype revolver taken in 70 years. It is a neat gun that now resides in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY.

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

DesertSon,

Man, I'm blushing.

Actually seeing yourself on video is pretty humbling. I wasn't pleased with my form on the Lightning. I can see that I was realy rocking around while working that trombone.

But I really appreciate the kind words.