Taurus Thunderbolt, the new Mare's Leg?

[SmithyMcGee]

Recently I saw a Taurus Thunderbolt modified into a Mare's Leg styled pistol (no stock, minimal barrel length). I attempted to do some online sleuthing, to no avail. But, to top it all off it sold before I could make the trip back to it. Does anyone have any info in regards to this?

 

[WeedWacker]

I know rossi is making the "Ranch Hand" rifle, is that what you are thinking of?

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=BTRH92-51121&mfg=Rossi&family=Rossi+Rifle+Series

 

[rogertc1]

Taurus Thunderbolt IS A PUMP ACTION RIFLE. TO CONVERT A RIFLE INTO A PISTOL CAN BE DONE IN SOME STATES WITH A FEDERAL TAX STAMP FOR SBR.

There is no pistol version being made.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

It was at the Shot Show. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=568632

 

[Carl N. Brown]

The 1950s TV show "Wanted: Dead or Alive" introduced the term "mare's leg" to describe bounty hunter Josh Randall's sawn-off rifle.

A gunsmith who responded to the recent interest in the mare's leg by making replicas on virgin receivers as pistols, has a trademark on "Mare's Leg" and apparently his lawyer sent a letter to American Rifleman over reference to the Rossi Ranch Hand as a Mare's Leg.

OK. "Mare's Leg" is a trademark. But "mare's leg" is a generic name for either a sawn-off leveraction rifle or a leveraction pistol. I guess we'll all have to watch our capitalisation to avoid notices, and manufacturers will have to be creative.

If I owned one, I would call it "Zoe".

 

[Dr.Rob]

I recall seeing those, suspect Taurus built a handful to test the market, then no more. The Thunderbolt isn't even listed in 'multiple calibers' anymore just 45 Colt, one model.

Essentially it was a pump action lightning with a 5-6 shot mag built as a pistol. Taurus BUILT THEM as a pistol, thing is the actual numbers they did it in only Taurus knows for sure. Definitely an oddball.

 

[JShirley]

Gallery style rifles are fairly fragile. The Rossi Ranch Hands should be quite sturdy, and an interesting choice for someone who feels the need for a large .357, .44, or .45 Colt handgun.

John

 

[SmithyMcGee]

I do have a Ranch Hand in .44Magnum (sweet little gun), which is why I was interested in the Thunderbolt as a pistol. Thanks for the info!

 

[Dr.Rob]

I'll keep looking around I KNOW I saw one online before.

 

[rogertc1]

I too have seen the Thunderbolt cut down pn line into a mares leg style. Custom conversion.

I have a stainless taurus thunder bolt...pretty rifle and a Rossi Ranch Hand.