Pump Action Carbines in .38 special & .357 magnum

[Sylvan-Forge]

Please share your thoughts, images and experiences!


16-20" barrels :


AWA Lightning Carbine
http://www.awaguns.com/rifles.html


Cimarron Lightning Magazine Rifle
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/RepeatingRifles/LightningRifle.htm


Uberti 1875 Lightning Carbine & Lightning Short Rifle
http://www.uberti.com/firearms/lightning.php


Beretta Gold Rush Carbine
(link at bottom left on Beretta page)
http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_rifles_main.htm


USFA Premium Grade Lightning Carbine
(not sure if .38 spl or .357 is available)
http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/lightning_carbine.asp


Pedersoli Lightning
(first link shows features, second link lists .38 spl & .357 models)
http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/default.aspx?item=news&news=lightning&lang=en
http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/default.aspx?item=ArmiCategoriaDettaglio&CategoriaId=290&lang=en


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[owlhoot]

They look great. They feel great in the hand. The pump stroke is incredibly short. They are cool and sexy. I understand why you want one. Unfortunately they rarely work. They can be made to work, but they are rarely reliable when you receive them.

If you must have one, call AWA which is located in Florida and ask for Russell. Tell him you will take one if he guarantees that it will function reliably. Then hold his feet to the fire.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Thanks for your thoughts, owlhoot ..
They are pretty classy lookin' aren't they!

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[Vaarok]

What about the IMI Timberwolf?

And I'm not sure if it's corrected, but the old Lightnings could slam-fire inadvertently, couldn't they?

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Thanks Vaarok.

I'm not finding anything on the IMI Timberwolf (nada at Action Arms or Magnum Research) .. it looks like it either isn't made or distributed anymore .. seen a few used ones for sale though.

I hear mention of slam-fires here and there, but it seems this is in regard to the original Colt.

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[Phil DeGraves]

They work okay in .45 Colt, but I've heard nothing but bad things about the .38/.357. Even the Taurus after promising them for years, couldn't get it working good enough to distribute them widely. I had one ordered for two years, until they finally told me they weren't going to send one. The Italian ones are VERY pricey and not nearly as good a performer as a Marlin lever gun for lots less. The original Colt Lightnings were fragile with many small parts that would not withstand the stresses of fast action. From what I gather, the new Italian guns are pretty accurate replicas of the Colt with the same maladies.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Thanks, Mr. DeGraves.

I didn't realize just how new to market some of these lightning models really are.

Maybe in time they will pick up a better reputation and following.

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[Sourdough]

i just got a Pedersoli lightning carbine in 357 and took it to the range today. From a benchrest at 50 yards my best group was about 4 inchs, 4 inchs high, and 4inchs to the right. This was with three different loads. The best group (4 inchs) was with rem. 125gr semi-jacketed hollow point. The rear sight is adjust all the way down and still 4" high. Will have to get a higher front sight and try some new reloads. This is not acceptable for a gun in this price range. There is a real problem loading the magazine also. I have small hands and my little finger would just barely get a round in far enough. The solution I found was to use a pencil with a good eraser to push the round far enough in to stay there.
I will try some other loads and see if I can get smaller groups but I don't feel that they will come down enough for me to be satisfied. Right now it is equiv. to 8" at 100 yards. Of course the buckhorn type sights don't help but it should be no more than 4" at 100 yards minimum.

 

[Oic0]

My marlin lever action tries to murder my fingers and scrape my nails off when putting rounds in it. I push one in until its 90% in then use the next round to push it all the way in. Repeat until I cant get any more in then pop the last one that wouldnt go in back into my pocket.

 

[texas bulldog]

My marlin lever action tries to murder my fingers and scrape my nails off when putting rounds in it. I push one in until its 90% in then use the next round to push it all the way in. Repeat until I cant get any more in then pop the last one that wouldnt go in back into my pocket.

i hear that. it's one of my favorite guns to shoot, but loading it can be less than pleasant. i'll give this a shot next time.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

very nice rifles but dern the prices! could buy 2 levers for price of 1 of those. and a shooting buddy has a Marlin lever .357 that is a real tack-driver with his stout handloads.