Colt Lightning rifle
| Colt Lightning Carbine | |
|---|---|
| File:Rifle Colt Lightning.jpg | |
| Type | Light Rifle |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Colt's Manufacturing Company |
| Produced | 1884-1904 |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | .44-40 |
| Action | Slide Action |
| Feed system | Tube Magazine |
| Sights | Iron |
The Colt Lightning Carbine or Colt Lightning Rifle was a slide-action or pump-action rifle manufactured by Colt from 1884 to 1904 and was originally chambered in .44-40 caliber.[1] [2] Colt eventually made the Lightning Rifle in three different frame sizes, to accommodate a wide range of cartridges, from .22 short caliber and .38-40 to .50-95 Express.[3] Its profile somewhat resembles the pump-action rimfire rifles made by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Remington Arms.[2] The Lightning Carbine saw use as a sporting arm in America, but was never as popular or as reliable as the various lever-action rifles of its day.[2]
Variants
The medium-frame lightning was manufactured between 1884 and 1904, it was the first slide-action rifle offered by Colt.[4] Colt Factory records indicate that 89,777 of these were made in calibers .32-20, .38-40, and .44-40 as a companion arm to the Colt Single Action Army revolver.[4] Two versions were made: the rifle version with a 26" barrel and 15-round magazine and the carbine version with a 20" barrel and 12-round magazine.[4] The .44-40 carbine version was used by the San Francisco Police Department as a longarm.[4]
The small-frame lightning was manufactured between 1887 and 1904.[4] Colt Factory records indicate that 89,912 of these were made in calibers .22 Short and .22 Long.[4] They are also referred to as the "Second Model Colt Lighhtning".[4] Barrel length was 24" and the rifles had a blue finish, case-hardened hammer, and a walnut stock.[4]
The large-frame lightning was manufactured between 1887 and 18944.[4] Colt Factory records indicate that 6,496 of these were made in big game calibers such as .38-55 and .50-95 Express.[4] Barrel length was 22" or 28" and they are also referred to as the "Express Model".[4]
Modern versions
Reproduction Lightning rifles are still manufactured today by companies such as Uberti for hunting, historical reenactment, and competition purposes such asCowboy Action Shooting in calibers such as 22lr, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, .44 Special/.44 Magnum, .44-40, and .45 Colt.[4] Aside from the .44-40, none of the other calibers were offered in the Lighning when it was produced by Colt.
References
- ^ Flayderman, Norm (2001). Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms... and their values. Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 669. ISBN 0-87349-313-3.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c Boorman, Dean (2004). Guns of the Old West: An Illustrated History. Lyons Press. p. 128. ISBN 978-1592286386.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Wilkerson, Don (1998). Colt's Double Action Revolver, Model of 1878. Wilkerson Press Press. p. 128. ISBN 978-0961787646.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sapp, Rick (2007). Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms. Gun Digest Books. p. 288. ISBN 978-0896895348.
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