Colt Lever Action?

[SB Python]

This may sound like a really stupid question but not having any books and looking around the internet (not a lot) I am sure that Colt made some lever action rifles. I just can’t seem find a lot of info on them or the going prices. When did Colt stop making them? I would like to find one just to be able to say look at this its Colt lever action.

[smkummer]

Colt burgess rifle made only a couple of years in the mid-1880's. Someone is now reproducing it.

[Chuck Would]

As I've heard the story, Colt started making lever guns when Winchester started making pistols - or the other way around. There was a meeting of the minds of the two companies - a back room deal it is said and the end result was both companies decided to stay in their own business. Colt making pistols and Winchester making Lever guns. However, it did not stop Colt from making a pump rifle and so the Lightning was born. The Lightning was a pretty short lived product.

[SB Python]

Thanks to all I will check them out.
Steve

[Gunsmoke]

I wouldn't call the Lightning a short lived product. Colt made them from 1885 up to 1902. The Burgess only had a production life span of appr. 1 year.

Scouring the Uberti-site last night I saw that they are now offering a replica of the Burgess-rifle.

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/1883_...on_burgess.php

[Chuck Would]

I wouldn't call the Lightning a short lived product. Colt made them from 1885 up to 1902. The Burgess only had a production life span of appr. 1 year.

Scouring the Uberti-site last night I saw that they are now offering a replica of the Burgess-rifle.

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/1883_...on_burgess.php

Looking at 17 years for the Lightning Vs just about forever for the '73 as well as the '92. It was pretty short lived by comparision.

Looking at all the attempts (and failures) to "clone" the Lightning by several different manufacturers shows that the design had shortcomings. It was very picky about the type of cartridge it would feed.

And I was just remined tonight that Lightning production started in 1883 and stopped 17 years later. Colt continued to sell what was inventory until they were gone in 1902. And Colt had it's design issues early on and ended up changing the design until feed problems were cured at that time.

AWA, USFA, Taurus and there are a couple more tried to produce that rifle with limited sucess. I understand AWA still sells them and they can make them run. Both USFA and Taurus have bailed out on them.

I really wanted one several years ago and I'm glad I waited until the smoke cleared. And no, I don't own one.