Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

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EG73
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Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by EG73 »

Well; I know this is a levergun forum but I’ll ask anyway.

Anyone here have an original Colt Lightning? Especially a large frame? I’ve always wanted one for a hunting gun.

Thoughts on them? Pics? Would love to see!
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David
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by David »

If the Lightning rifles are like the pistol actions, run away, they are a !@(#*&ASD to fix. i.e. not me.
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by M. M. Wright »

I doubt you'd call me a fan but I have an AWA in 45 Colt. It works sorta. I think mostly I just need to get in time with it. It would be fine for hunting but I'm a SASS shooter and it needs to run FAST for me. I know, mine is a medium frame and you are asking about the large but I'm not aware of anyone making large repros. Real Colts? Very expensive and like hen's teeth but I'll bet you could find one in Tulsa this weekend. Anyone know how strong the action is? Can I hot rod the 45 Colt in it?
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by GunnyMack »

Many moons ago I got to shoot a colt 38-40, the owner asked me if I was interested in buying it. The gun was an honest 90-95% but I had no idea what it could be worth 30 years later... yup I passed- moron!
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Marvin S »

I’ll have to settle for my Marlins and Remington pump rifles. Mod 27 Mod 25 and 14 1/2.
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Sixgun »

38-40, 44-40, 32-20.....they all get shot....-6

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Model A Uzi’s
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EG73
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by EG73 »

That’s a good looking row! What are the other rifles?
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by marlinman93 »

Had a couple in .22rf, and one in .38-40. I never was a huge fan of them in .22rf as they're pretty common. But the bigger calibers, (especially the biggest!) always intrigued me! If I ever found one of them in the big .40 calibers I could afford, I'd probably own one. They are pretty rare and get huge money.
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Tycer
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Tycer »

EG73 wrote: Tue Apr 02, 2019 8:24 am That’s a good looking row! What are the other rifles?
I’ll take a guess
Savage 99
Marlin Mountie
2- Win 1886
Rem 14
Rem 25
Rem 121
Colts
Uzi
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Sixgun
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Sixgun »

Tyler...your good...not exact but close...

Let's see...front row...from left ...1899 sav. 300...Marlin SC 219 Zipper.....71 deluxe...Remington 14 in 35....Remington 25 in 25-20....pre war model 62 Winchester ....Lightnings..38.....44.....32....model A Uzi

All the way in the corner you will see a forearm with ribs...pre war Remington 141 in 35...just about new..towards the left you will see a button mag rifle...like new model 65 in 32-20...
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EG73
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by EG73 »

Beautiful collection, 300 Trump.

Marlinman93 - id love a large frame one too. Would be fine with .38-56.. but can you imagine a .50-95? Drooling..
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by rbertalotto »

Love my Lightning is 38-40.....Runs like a scalded pig!

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She ain't pretty. Had a hard life. Wish she could talk and tell me all about her adventures and where she got that wierd stock!
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EG73
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by EG73 »

Love it, thanks for sharing.

Would be fun to hunt with one.
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Sixgun »

EG73 wrote: Wed Apr 03, 2019 6:33 pm Love it, thanks for sharing.

Wouldthe be fun to hunt with one.
E.G....if you notice, the Lightning on the left , the 38-40, has a sling on it. I've used it several times here in Pa. for deer season....never did pull the trigger on anything but it was neat using it.....getting some strange looks from other hunters....

The same rifle was my cowboy gun for 10 years or so.....at this time it has logged over 3500 rounds...no issues. 6 grains of Bullseye and a 170 gr. Lyman TC...the bullet designed for the 40 S&W...it's an honest consistent 2" gun at 100 yds..--6

The pic below was a couple of years ago at a metallic silhouette match upstate. I was using blackpowder at the time in the 38-40.
John Kort took the pic.

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Model A Uzi’s
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fordwannabe
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by fordwannabe »

But Six, you forgot to tell them I am the true owner of the SC in 219 Zipper, and I am just being nice and letting you store it for awhile.
a Pennsylvanian who has been accused of clinging to my religion and my guns......Good assessment skills.
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Sixgun »

fordwannabe wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:22 am :D :D
But Six, you forgot to tell them I am the true owner of the SC in 219 Zipper, and I am just being nice and letting you store it for awhile.
Very true....I will now call you "Mr. Zipper". When the cash reaches my pocket I will add "219" to the name. ---6
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Shrapnel
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Shrapnel »

I have a few, 2 rifles and 2 cabines. They are all in excellent original condition and I shoot them quite a bit in CAS matches...

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44-40 SRC on rabbits


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38-40 First Model and Colt Bisley in 38-40...


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44-40 First Model and Colt Frontier Six Shooter...


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Of course, since they are pumps, you can't forget the scarce Remington 14 1/2 in 38-40 also...

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EG73
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by EG73 »

That’s a beautiful collection and thanks for sharing!

What’s in the first photo? I showed my dad and he agrees it’s a great picture.
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Shrapnel
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Shrapnel »

EG73 wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 5:08 pm That’s a beautiful collection and thanks for sharing!

What’s in the first photo? I showed my dad and he agrees it’s a great picture.
These are some of my Saddle Ring Carbines. The first is a model 1892 38-40, next is a Whitney Kennedy 45-60, then another Whitney Kennedy in 44-40, a first model 1873 SRC then a 1873 38-40, next is a Marlin 1889 in 38-40 2 Lightnings and a Browning High Grade in 45-70...

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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by M. M. Wright »

Congrats Shrapnel. Fine bunch of carbines. :mrgreen:
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Rimfire McNutjob »

I've always wanted a small frame 22 Lightning but I was told by someone that they are more delicate / finicky that most other actions. Any opinions here from shooters?
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Shrapnel
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by Shrapnel »

Rimfire McNutjob wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:49 am I've always wanted a small frame 22 Lightning but I was told by someone that they are more delicate / finicky that most other actions. Any opinions here from shooters?
I have had a couple, but they just didn't fit what I like in the looks department and I never shot them. For a vintage 22, you can't beat the 1873 for a repeater, they are expensive, but harder to find is one with a good bore...


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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by hfcable »

got two large frames : a 45 [basically a 45/70] and a big 50- the 50/95

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and a fancy 44/40 medium frame

and a nice little small frame in 22 long with tang sight etc

the large frames are my favorites
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by EG73 »

And that right there is my absolute dream rifle....
Congratulations on owning such a beauty!
How’s it shoot?
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by hfcable »

EG73 wrote: Sat Apr 06, 2019 9:41 am And that right there is my absolute dream rifle....
Congratulations on owning such a beauty!
How’s it shoot?
shoots quite well.... excellent bore

i also have a 50/95 winchester 1876 , and it is an excellent shooter too
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by EG73 »

hfcable wrote: Sat Apr 06, 2019 11:59 am
EG73 wrote: Sat Apr 06, 2019 9:41 am And that right there is my absolute dream rifle....
Congratulations on owning such a beauty!
How’s it shoot?
shoots quite well.... excellent bore

i also have a 50/95 winchester 1876 , and it is an excellent shooter too

Another dream gun.... wanna post it up here?
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Re: Colt lightning rifles - who’s a fan?

Post by M. M. Wright »

Hey EG73, I took some time Friday evening at the Wanamacher and found a really nice large frame in 45-60. Should make an excellent shooter. $10K But it was really nice.
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