Who makes the best Colt Lightning

[Paladin UK]

OK pards..
Sooooo Who (if any), in your own humble opinion, makes the best  clone reprodution of the Colt Lightning??

Paladin (Whats gotsta know ) UK

[Hoof Hearted]

Almost a year with no replies

Paladin I hope you have more friends than this on yer side of the pond, 

I'm gonna step out here and say that the USFA lightning would have been the best (now long gone also) but if you mean least prone to feeding issues I really don't know what to say other than the 38 versions inherently work better than the 45 ones. This is due to bullet feeding angle, rim, and other factors. Of course the same thing was true in the originals. IMHO they really aren't meant to be raced, yes some folks have better experiences than others (as well as differing opinions).

HH

[44wcf]

Pedersoli .
I have had mine (44-40) for two years, have used it in every match 2 times a month.
Had a few misfires at first.
Had a slightly longer firing pin made for it. No problems scene.

[Hoof Hearted]

See all  it takes to get people talking here is to make fun of PUK

I kinda missed the mark with my statement above:

What I was trying to make clear was that the reduced diameter "bottleneck" cartridges feed better (as was Colts original design) and that would include 32-20, 38-40, 44-40. Don't read my "38" comment to mean 38 Special.

"Best" to me means finest finished, closest to Colts, and best operating, that's why I rank the USFA first with the rest in order left to ya'll to comment on!

Regards, HH

[Coffinmaker]

I logged to this board today on a whim.  I've never paid any attention to it before.  Seems like it moves kinda sloooooooooow.  But .........
When I was still plumbing CAS guns, it seems the majority of good results were being had with Pedersoli guns.  The folks that have them, that I have communed with all seemed quite pleased.  Unlike some of the others, that were best employed as Tomato Stakes.

Coffinmaker

[cal44walker]

Pedersoli. You might find you need a lighter firing pin spring/longer firing pin made up but apart from that I have only good experiences from them. Forget Uberti. Every one I've seen has had some unforgiveably bad issue from the factory including a very badly cut chamber and feeding problems everytime the magazine was used. You might get lucky with one but I wouldn't bother.

cal44walker

[Badlands Beady]

I've had my Pedersoli in .45 Colt for 2-3 years and it hasn't burped once.  I've seen ubertis that can't make it through a stage.

[Pettifogger]

Funny, I just noticed this today.  Never noticed the so-called "Child Boards" before.  The truth is none of them.  I have 14 and worked on all of them, originals and clones.  Few, if any, of any brand worked well out of the box.  Pretty much everyone has given up making them.  Pedersoli and Uberti still catalog them, but it has been a quite a while since I have seen anyone stocking them.  That having been said, right now I am primarily using four; two Ubertis and two Pedersolis.  The Pedersolis usually need the least amount of work and once working they tend to be reliable.  The problem is that because of the design those features that make them reliable also makes them slow.  The Ubertis can be shot much faster, but I have had several parts break at speed.  Parts for ALL of the originals and clones are virtually impossible to get.  USFA (out of business), AWA (out of business) and Taurus have nothing.  Original Colt parts are very expensive and very hard to find.  The Uberti and Pedersoli parts are theoretically available.  However, I have had parts on order for the Ubertis for over two years.  Took me six months to get a simple part for a Pedersoli.  If you get one and like it, immediately order some spare parts before they are totally out of production.  Or, do like like I have had to do and buy two and use one for a parts gun.

[Mean Bob Mean]

If you get one and like it, immediately order some spare parts before they are totally out of production.  Or, do like like I have had to do and buy two and use one for a parts gun.

What parts would you stock up on?  Thanks for your insights.

[Pettifogger]

What parts would you stock up on?  Thanks for your insights.

For Uberti first and foremost a spare locking brace.  The gun is totally inoperative without this part and they are fragile.

Locking brace
extractor
pair of ejector/guide rails
a complete set of screws
mainspring  (these are odd shaped and no one makes a replacement)
firing pin safety lever


For Pedersoli

Firing pin (they are not nearly as robust as a Uberti and the tip can break off)
extractor
pair of ejector/guide rails
a complete set of screws
mainspring

These are the parts I would try to have for long term shooting.  (Based on the assumption that these parts will become unavailable as fewer and fewer of these guns are sold and they are ultimately discontinued.)

[Mean Bob Mean]

These are the parts I would try to have for long term shooting.  (Based on the assumption that these parts will become unavailable as fewer and fewer of these guns are sold and they are ultimately discontinued.)

Your experience is such a boon to a tenderfoot such as myself.  I am looking at one but I think for where I am in this sport my resources would be better used elsewhere.  It just looms like a problem long term whereas with the 1873s and etc., I am thinking parts will always be more readily available. 

Sincere thanks

[Blair]

Mean Bob,

My very first encounter with the Colt pump action rifle was with an original.
My original thought was these (if ever reproduced) are going to be the "cats ass" for the speed freaks in the sport, due to the short stroke of the pump action.
Within the originals, they have their problems. But, I have to say Pedersoli seems to have worked most of these problems out.
Hope this info helps.
My best,
Blair

[Mean Bob Mean]

Within the originals, they have their problems. But, I have to say Pedersoli seems to have worked most of these problems out.
Hope this info helps.
My best,
Blair

Absolutely, and thanks.  I guess if a guy had some spare parts, sure (and I have seen some reasonable prices on them of late).  All the repros I have seen have been .45 LC.  I know they made them in .44 WCF, I have just never run across one I could afford (did see a couple USFAs recently--out of my league for this gun).   

[Pettifogger]

How much were the USFA's?  I've got one and am trying to figure out how much to ask for it.

[Major 2]

One sold for $1495. un-fired on Guns America..

then there was this one http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7324938

I saw one asking "buy now"  for $2500, on Gunbroker....
bought this one instead  

[Pettifogger]

Thanks.  The one on GunAuction came up when I was searching.  However, that sale was eight years ago when USFA was still in business.  I'm hoping to find some sales that are a little more recent.  My .44-40 carbine has been shot 20 or 30 rounds so I'm guessing $1,200.00 ought to be fair.

[Major 2]

I saw that  , I didn't pick up on that time frame when I first canvased  though.

USFA aficionado's , may well beat a path to your door will $1200 in hand   

[jimbobborg]

I always thought that the IMI Timberwolf was a Colt Lightning clone, but I just looked it up and it has an internal hammer  . 

Anyways, the .45 Colt Taurus Thunderbolt I just picked up is a newer one.  It seems they have fixed the problems they were having with the feeding on them.  As long as the screws are tightened properly   

[RRio]

I have the Taurus Thunderbolt, and from what I've seen, it is a dead ringer. If I am wrong, I would appreciate some one pointing out the differences.