1877 Colt Lightning

[Chocktaw Sessums]

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Does any one know anything about repairing or referbishing a Lightning? I know they are delicate. Can one be refurbished, and if so, who would be recommended?

Chocktaw Sessums

[SIR WILLIAM]

We are talking revolver in double action, right?  I believe  www.oldcoltparts.com may produce parts.  The better 19th century gunsmiths should be able to disassemble and restore one.  The loss to value may not be worth it.  If you already have a beater,  go for it.  I am debating a total restoration of a Colt DA 38 myself.  J. Mark Flint had one done with even the rollmark redone.  Search and see what/who pops up.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks for asking that, CS. I have one that I don't use for fear of trashing it. The action feels a bit springy and I think it needs to be looked at. I'll follow this thread for tips, too.

[chas_harsbro]

Just thinking that Iron Duke (Mike Venturino) mentions a couple of Lightning repair experts in one of his books on Colts and other handguns of the Old West. One shop might have been in California, but I'm not at home and can't look it up.  It also occurs to me that David Chicoine might be a good one to contact about this also. I think he is in Maine?
Charlie

[Lt. Col Mark Flint]

Nope, I didn't, I had a Lightning RIFLE restored (which is again at the smith with function problems!)

I told my smith I was going to shoot someone if this didn't get resolved -he said "Not with this gun!"

ughhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[J.T. Pinkerton]

Howdy,

You might want to try Paul Persinger out of El Paso, Texas.  I believe that he still rebuilds the Colt DA 1877 Lightning.  Dont have his phone number, but believe that you could "Google" and pull it up....he also does grip making.

[Marshal Halloway]

Paul Persinger   

1-915-821-7541   

10441 Mackinaw St.    El Paso, Texas   79924

(no internet access - please call or write)

[Bigdemerson]

Only man capable of redoing a Colt Lightning is Larry Ronchette 510-276-5593 Tell em the Bigd sent ya.

[Leo Tanner]

The Colt Lightning I know is a pump action rifle that was introduced in 1848.  There is a clone available from Uberti that is pretty tough but only available in 357 and 45 rather than the original three calibers.  I've had a hankerin fer one fer quite some time.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

That might be 1884, there, Leo

[John Taylor]

I had a customer send me four 1877s that he had sent out for color case. All the parts were in the same bag. Can you say four jig-saw puzzles mixed up in the same box. The 1877s were hand fitted and most probably worked when they left the factory. They are very temperamental and can malfunction at any time.  I have worked on enough to know that they are not a money maker when they come in the shop. Best one I ever saw was one that came in with a stuck cylinder pin. The cylinder would not turn so the hammer would not go back. All the finish was gone but there was no ware that I could see. After driving the pin out and cleaning it the gun worked perfect. I don't think it had ever been fired, probably sat in a dresser drawer for 100 years.
The name "lightning and thunderer" were not names given by Colt. I would rather work on a Colt lightning rifle any day.

[Leo Tanner]

That might be 1884, there, Leo

Thanks Buck, twas a slip of the fingers an not the mind this time.  Thank goodness.