OT : Old Colts [without levers ] to accompany a six shooter

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:05 pm

this Colt Lightning 44/40 SRC had been redone when i got it, but then needed mechanical work which was done to flawless level by bill pratt in california.

and this big boy is an all original Colt lightning Large Frame in 45/85/285 which is coltese for 45/90; it has an excellent bore and works fine, but i need to get the screws to mount the tang sight:

this large frame will get the full workup for good loads and be shot a lot this summer, and maybe go hunting this fall.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:41 pm

Way cool. The 44/40 is beautifull love the figure in the wood. I look forward to the range report for both.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:29 am

hfcable the crotch pattern on that 44/40 buttstock is stunning.

The 45-90 caliber is interesting and I also can't wait for a range report.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:47 am

Stunning, beautiful, fantastic... now, where did I put that slobber rag?!?

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:57 am

Those are gorgeous.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:02 am

real slick...
awesome wood

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:19 am

very nice

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:25 am

Very nice. I didn't know Colt made the Lightning rifle in big bore calibers. I thought they were all the revolver/rifle calibers. Now that's cool. How did the action hold up to firing the 45-90?

crs · Post by **crs** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:56 am

Absolutely striking !
And the big one in .45-90? New to me and I look forward to hearing your range report on these two great guns.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:55 pm

Nice rifles. Have a "need" for a 22 Lightning myself. Of course, my wife calls it a "want" but she just doesn't understand.

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:10 pm

kimwcook wrote:Very nice. I didn't know Colt made the Lightning rifle in big bore calibers. I thought they were all the revolver/rifle calibers. Now that's cool. How did the action hold up to firing the 45-90?

they made the small frame in 22 lr, the medium frame in pistol calibers [not including the 45 colt], and the large frame in multiple rifle calibers including 38/56, 45/90 and even 50/95; they held up well to the black powder pressures, and are okay with light smokelss [ie. equivalent to factory 300 gr. loads] but i beleive i will stick with something like hodgson 777 and enjoy the smoke and noise.

Rod WMG · Post by **Rod WMG** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:31 pm

While I'm not in favor of refinishing a historic gun, I have tro say that .44-40 has fantastic wood!

They're both nice and you should cherish them, as it's evident you do.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:45 pm

Thanks for the information. I didn't know that about the Lightning. Oh by the way, that 44-40, you can send it to me when you get tired of it. I'll be sure to give it a really nice home.

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:47 pm

Now thats just a purty gun, if you can just figure some way to get the shiney stuff off it so it can go hunting.

scr83jp · Post by **scr83jp** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:55 pm

Uberti is making replicas in 38/357 & 45 colt saw some at the Shot shows.May be others making them also.

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:06 pm

scr83jp wrote:Uberti is making replicas in 38/357 & 45 colt saw some at the Shot shows.May be others making them also.

i'd like to try their 357; local shop had 5 uberti 45s with case hardening,beautiful, but they returned all of them to the distributor as none of the 5 were reliable feeders;
i'll bet the 357s will work fine though.

scr83jp · Post by **scr83jp** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:27 pm

hfcable wrote:
scr83jp wrote:Uberti is making replicas in 38/357 & 45 colt saw some at the Shot shows.May be others making them also.
i'd like to try their 357; local shop had 5 uberti 45s with case hardening,beautiful, but they returned all of them to the distributor as none of the 5 were reliable feeders;
i'll bet the 357s will work fine though.

There is a Taurus Thunderbolt( resembles Colt Lightning) in 45lc for sale at Auction Arms for $479.99 buy it now price.Item # 7994383

4t5 · Post by **4t5** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:05 pm

DON'T FORGET, HONEST TO GOODNESS....AMERICAN MADE LIGHTNINGS ARE AVAILABLE FROM.. USFA.. AND THE ONES I'VE SEEN ARE ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:12 pm

The wood on that restored one is beautiful. Nice rifles. Thanks for posting the photos.