Colt 1877 Lightning

[steak2]

I just bought an "as new" Colt Lightning , mfd. in 1903 . This revolver does not look as tho it has had more than a dozen rounds fired thru it.
Will this revolver handle 38 special Cowboy Loads ? I had read somewhere that the later lightning barrells were chambered for 38 specials , is this true ?
Thanks in advance

 

[mnrivrat]

Just a couple of quick thoughts here for you:

I'm not sure exactly when the .38 spl was developed but would make sure the answer is varified prior to shooting them in your gun.

The next thought I had was - Why would you want to take one in that condition and shoot it ? Very few realy nice ones around and I would think the collector value makes your worth keeping as is, without additional wear.

Lastly, if you decided to shoot it anyway, they were noted for a delicate action subject to breakage. Few smiths want to even look at them these days, so again I ask - Do you realy want to shoot it ?

 

[Iggy]

I would very strongly second what mnrivrat said.

Not made for .38 specials.. Very few parts and few that know what to do with one if something goes wrong.

Buy a Cimarron if you really want to shoot a lightning style gun.

 

[Onmilo]

.38 Colt 1877 revolvers generally have bore dimensions that average around .360-.363".
The design itself is not noted for strength or durability.

In the condition described you would be well served to keep that revolver as an investment.

If you must fire it, a handload using a 150 grain soft lead hollowbase bullet and a charge of 19 grains of FFFG blackpowder or blackpowder substitute in .38 long colt cases will work best.

Here is a good place for gathering the neccessary components.
http://www.buffaloarms.com

 

[OFT]

Your revolver is chambered for the .38 Long Colt or .38 Short Colt cartridge. The .38 Special may fit but is a slightly higher pressure load that what you gun is designed for. If you're going to shoot it please stay with the original cartridge that is for it.

 

[Jim Watson]

The action is fragile and it might not hold up to shooting even the .38 Long Colt it was made for. A lot of the ones you find showing use have some mechanical fault. In as nice condition as you say, it is worth a good deal of money, but if you broke a hard-to-replace part, much of that would disappear.

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt put a warning label on the box containing late production model 1877 revolvers stating that they were to use BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGES ONLY. In addition they were chambered to only use .38 Long & Short Colt cartridges in the .38 revolvers. Because the chambers are bored straight through they will chamber .38 Special cartridges. Under no circumstances should you use them!

A model 1877 revolver in "like new" condition has considerable collectors' value, most likely well over $1,000! I would not even dry fire it. Handle it with care. A mistake could cost you hundreds of dollars and possibly more.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

If it ain't broke yet, it's gonna be when you start shooting it.

I have made springs and repaired two of them in my lifetime.

Never again!
It's like stacking greased BB's trying to get one working properly again after the factory parts break.

rcmodel

 

[steak2]

"like stacking greased bb`s"

Thanks to you folks for taking the time to reply to my question .
Yes, my Lightning is a real find , being in as nice of condition as it is.
You have given me some solid advice and, if they are as delicate as stated , it would be silly for me to take the chance of damaging it . I am going to check out the Cimarron revolvers . My REAL LOVE is for an 1875 Remington . I own an 1858/1863 Remington New Model Pocket revolver that Remington converted from .31 perc. to 32RF . I shoot it quite often , but , just handling it you can tell it is a solid, well made revolver . Also a lot of fun.
Thanks again guys

 

[Old Fuff]

The problem with your Remington New Model Pocket revolver isn't that it's likely to blow up, but rather that if an internal part should break you will find it very difficult (and probably expensive) to find replacement parts.

I have seen a fair number of 19th century revolvers that were in pretty good shape, but sidelined because of a broken part. Usually this met that their value took a nosedive as well.

While you are over at www.cimarron-firearms.com also look that the Wells Fargo and 1849 Colt Pocket Model replicas they have. Conversion cylinders are available for them in .32 S&W Long.