How common/rare are medium frame SRC Lighting rifles in 44-40 ???

[coltcollectorAU]

Hi all,

I have just seen a medium frame SRC Lighting for sale in 44-40 cal. Aparrently it is in GWO. It is pretty much in the white with a bit of pitting and wear. Serial is 39353.

Could anyone tell me how common this variation was please? It has a solid rubber butplate which the seller is saying was a special order?

What do you guys think for $850.00 ?

Cheers

Mike

[johngross]

Almost 90,000 Medium Frame Lightning were made. I'm not aware of a numerical breakdown between the rifle, carbine, and baby carbine, except to say that the most frequently seen are the rifles and the least frequently encountered is the baby carbine.

A rubber butt plate was offered in the 1888 Colt catalog as a $2 option. I don't know if it would be marked "COLT" or not, but make sure the fit is perfect as that is what you would expect from a factory installation vs. Bubba.

I would think the price is reasonable, as it's hard to find most any antique Colt in respectable condition for $850.

John Gross

[coltcollectorAU]

Thanks for the info John!

I have seen quite a few of these rifles araound, but not many Saddle Ring Carbines.

Cheers

Mike

[smkummer]

Even if the bore is shot out, it would still bring that price here. If the bore is shootable, then all the better.

[coltcollectorAU]

Even if the bore is shot out, it would still bring that price here. If the bore is shootable, then all the better.

Great to hear....looks like I might go talk to the guy then

Thanks for that

[Ken S]

I have a 44 40 in almost perfect condition and with a perfect bore. I paid $1400 for a a couple or years ago.
These things really work. Shoot it only with BP though. It has a very strong action lockup too. Ken

[Armyphotog]

I have one in 44-40 that my grandfather left me. Mfg. in 1900. Still has most of the blue on it. Can't believe the prices they are bringing. What's this about use Black Power only? Have never used black power in mine, no problems, just store bought ammo.

[dandak]

Around here in Ohio that is a steal for a rifle, let alone a carbine! Seriously, IMHO the price is more than reasonable, it is an absolute steal! Especially since I can see the pony on the left side of the frame. That pony is to Lightnings as to what a cartouche is to trapdoor springfields. If it aint there, a lot of people dont want the gun! Add in the fact it is a carbine and is in the most desirable medium frame caliber and ONCE AGAIN I am left saying "How come others always find deal like this". I paid 750 3 years ago in South Dakota for a lightning in 38-40 that was in rifle form and didnt have the pony. The bore was good and I wanted it as a shooter. Wound up trading it last year towards an 1873 Winchester in the same caliber but I considered the 750 for a rifle to be a reasonable buy. I would jump on this carbine assuming it is all there. A bad bore may put a damper on it because you then lost a lot of potential buyers (if you decide to sell later) but even then I personally would buy it and either have it relined (I am a tool and die maker and have done this myself before for my own personal guns but this still hurts resale potential) or look for a better barrel on gunbroker or at a gunshow (they come up but only rarely). I dont know the carbines well enough to know if the rear sight is correct. Everything else looks okay and you even have checkering on the forearm. Look around at gunshows and you will see how many of these are worn almost smooth. The finish is gone but not from abuse, simply 120+ years of time and use. The gun was made in 1889 so as another plus it is ATF antique. Now if you already have an SAA in 44-40 you are set!! By the way a lot of the parts USFA sells for their lightning replicas will fit the originals. Have you priced a replica Lightning? Once you see the price you will realize what you have here. One other thing, looks like the buttstock is lighter than the forearm so maybe somebody cleaned it up, and remember I am giving my opinions having limited pictures, but again you have to use different standards when judging an antique rifle versus a modern made one. One last opinion, the gun was made with soft barrel steel and for black powder pressures. It was ENGINEERED for black powder pressures using cast bullets. When smokeless came out the engineers ie: the people who made a living studying and designing these things made many changes to firearms (smaller firing pin holes, less firing pin protrusion, stronger steels, more surface are for locking lugs, etc). I only shoot black or pyrodex with cast bullets in rifles like this. Also, have a gunsmith check this out before you fire it if you decide to get it...that is a standard thing to do with any used firearm let alone one 122 years old. Cracks in lugs or frame are often hid by dirt or patina, broken firing pins that are corroded in place may lead to slam fires as you cycle the action BEFORE the action locks up, etc. Just MHO.