1877 Lightning help needed
A few years ago I purchased a colt lightning .38colt, I finnally got to shoot it last night and it was dead on, cycled fine, locked up tight with factory ammo (Black Hills). After I was done and went to extract the cases from the cylinder a few were hard to get out and had to be pulled out. Further exam revealed that the cases were split on the ones that were hard to extract. I believe that I have to replace the cylinder any thoughts???[?]
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM
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With a caliper, check the diameter of the Black Hills Ammo and the inside diameter of the charge holes in the cylinder.
Some one in the past "MIGHT?" have reamed the holes to take .38 S & W Cartridges. As the original .38 Long Colt Ammo, has been commerically unavailable for years.
The I. D. of the holes should be just a little bigger then .380. If it's much bigger than that, I would consider reloads using .38 S & W brass, Or better yet permanently retire the Lighting, considering the fragilely of the mechanism, you would be ahead of the game.
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Thanks "rufe-snow", as soon as I get home I'll get to it. Also I spoke to Colt and the tech informed me that you can shoot .38 colt or .38 long colt and that it was a common practice to ream and shoot .38 S&W though not recommended. This one is in great shape and I want to continue shooting it so as I am checking the cylinder ID, I am also looking for a new cylinder. Than you for your reply.
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM0 -
I think Rufe-Snow is right!.......
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
Measure your chambers and also use a telescope gage to measure for bulges.If chambers measure .389 or over, they were rechambered to 38S&W . If your cylinder is no good, it can be rechambered to 41Long Colt and sold.
In about 1959, I bought a new second generation Colt 45 SAA. A good 50% of new Remington folded head cases split. I went round and round with both Colt and Remington on cylinder and case dimensions. Colt insisted they'd been holding the same dimensions and tolerances for 75 years while Remington took back the ammo and cases and sent me new solid head ammo which didn't split. A few years later, I got a memo from Wagner of Colt that they reduced the 45 Colt chamber diameter by a couple of thousandths.
My SAA chambers are measurably tapered for easy ejection.
I have an 1877 Thunderer which I fire Starline brass 41 Long Colt and have no problem with splitting or undue expansion.0 -
You have a fine old revolver ... satisfy the issue of the cylinder being reamed to handle 38 S&W and if it has, be content to use period loads (low pressure/charge) or you could ruin a very fine old revolver not to mention injuring yourself or someone nearby.
If you can find a stock 38 colt cylinder your wallet will get a little lighter real quick ... but you'll still most likely need to have the cylinder fit to the gun, then you'll have it back to what it once was. But again the caution on the ammo. When you find sources for the ammo be sure that what your buying is loaded to the period.
I still fire guns that I have that date back to the early 1870's, but I load them light and treat them right[:D]
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Located a good colt gunsmith and a cylinder..gonna try it. And yep it was reamed for the .38S&W. Thanks for all the help.
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM0 -
V35, I was gonna respond that shooting a 41 Colt bullet thru the 38 barrel would not be a good thing and then I re-read your post. I now see that you meant to ream the cylinder to 41 Colt and then sell it, not use it to shoot. Emery
"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin0 -
Still need a cylinder (.38LC) the one I bought was a .41 for the Thunderer (which will go into stock) VG-EX please reasonable also.
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM0
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