Videos tagged with Colt Lightning

This "American Rifleman Television" segment explores the history and variations of the Colt Model 1877 revolver, specifically focusing on the "Lightning" model. Originally designed to compete with emerging double-action revolvers, the Model 1877 had three variants: Lightning, Thunderer, and Rainmaker. These distinct names were marketing terms introduced by a major Colt distributor, B. Kittredge & Company, to differentiate between the various chamberings of the pistol. The video highlights the context of its development in the 1870s and its place in Colt's product line.

This video offers an in-depth look at Gunslinger Auctions in California, showcasing an immense collection of firearms, including rare historical pieces and high-value items. Expert Jeff Taber details the auction process, highlights specific firearms like the Holland & Holland 8-bore Paradox and a historical Colt Lightning rifle, and discusses the unique challenges of operating in a restrictive state. The auction moves approximately 750 guns per event, attracting a global customer base through online and phone bidding.

This YouTube video snippet, titled 'Minute of Mae: US Colt 1877 "Lightning"', offers a brief look at a specific firearm model. The description indicates it's a segment from a larger 'Primer' episode and encourages viewers to explore more content. The creators also provide links for supporting their channel via Patreon and SubscribeStar, and to purchase merchandise from their shop. The focus is clearly on historical firearms.

This video from Brownells Gun Techs Keith Ford and Steve Ostrem showcases two exceptional Colt Model 1877 Double-Action Revolvers from the Rock Island Auction Company. The presenters highlight these "Lightning" (.38 Long Colt) and "Thunderer" (.41 Long Colt) models, noting their rarity and historical significance compared to the Colt Single Action Army. They discuss the Model 1877's complex and fragile action, which often deterred gunsmiths. The featured revolvers are described as nickel-plated with extensive engraving and Mother of Pearl grips, representing a more advanced double-action capability for their era. The description also mentions famous historical figures who carried this model, such as Billy the Kid and John Wesley Hardin, and its production lifespan.

This review delves into Colt's first double-action revolvers, the 1877 Lightning and Thunderer, designed by William Mason to compete with British imports. Despite a reputation for fragility and repair difficulty, these DA/SA revolvers, chambered in .38 and .41 Colt respectively, were produced in significant numbers and favored by historical figures for their concealability. The 1877 series shared aesthetics with the Single Action Army but featured a distinct bird's head grip.

This video details final hammer prices from the December 2019 Rock Island Auction, highlighting significant sales like the Powell Cartridge Counter Luger for $126,500. It covers a range of firearms from Civil War carbines and rare revolvers to modern rifles and unusual shotguns, providing specific auction results for each. The review emphasizes the market value of collectible and rare firearms, noting items that failed to sell due to high reserves.

The Colt Lightning was Colt's attempt to challenge Winchester's dominance in the rifle market with a pump-action design. It was offered in three frame sizes: Medium, Large (Express), and Small (.22 caliber), each chambered for different cartridges. While the Small Frame .22 was the most popular, the Lightning series ultimately sold far fewer units than Winchester's competing models, failing to capture significant market share.

The Pedersoli Lightning reproduction offers historical aesthetics but faces practical challenges. While visually appealing and a reproduction of the Colt Lightning, its pump-action mechanism is noted as awkward and sensitive to ammunition variations, particularly cartridge length and bullet shape. Compared to lever-action rifles, it doesn't offer a significant speed advantage and is less common in Cowboy Action Shooting due to reliability concerns.

The Colt Double Eagle is critically reviewed as a failed attempt to modernize the 1911 platform with a double-action mechanism. While featuring interchangeable slides and barrels with the 1911 Series 80, its design is considered an 'abomination' with poor ergonomics, a thick grip, and a tendency to point low. Reliability issues and comparisons to the Colt Lightning revolver lead to a recommendation only for collectors.