Roger Rapid

As promised, I met with Stefano Pedersoli at the Shot Show (Las Vegas, Jan 20-23) regarding production and shipping of the Silver Spur Lightning rifle. Here is what he told us: • The Silver Spur followed the market introduction of the Jackal44 (see photo below) which represents a modern, hunting-oriented version of the Silver Spur and utilizes the same basic mechanism as the Silver Spur. • Although the Silver Spur and the Jackal44 were announced at the 2025 Shot Show, production of the Jackal44 came first and followed several months after the Shot Show. Given the mechanical complexity of the Jackal44, and to be sure it was perfect, we decided to complete the first production batch and subject it to an extensive and rigerous testing cycle before proceeding wth the Silver Spur. • Production of the Silver Spur was delayed because of some modifications that were needed as a result of some fast-cycling cowboy shooting tests. However, I am happy to say the Silver Spur Lightning rifles are now in production in .45LC. • The Silver Spur and Jackal44 rifles are our most difficult rifles to assemble and unfortunately the assembly and fitting is a slow and time-consuming process. • As soon as the first batch is finished, the rifles must sent to the National Proof House for proof testing (100% of the guns we make are required by law for a live-fire proof test). When they come back from proofing they will packaged and shipped to our U.S. distributors. My guess is that these rifles will be in the U.S. in the spring. • I hope that the .357 versions can be shipped later in 2026. Our dealers are taking orders for the Silver Spur now. ==== That is pretty much word-for-word of what Stefano told us. Photo below is me on the left with a new Silver Spur, Stefano Pedersoli in the middle, and my cowboy shooting friend Trapper McDaniels on right. The upper rifle in the picture on the back wall is the new Jackal44. It is a pump-action rifle in .44 Magnum that utilizes the mechanical features of the Silver Spur including the swing-out cartridge guides. (The design of the swinging side guides comes from the original large-frame Colt Lightning.) RR

Giuseppe Calderoni and Hashknife Cowboy... Based on a communication I had with Stefano Pedersoli about a month ago, shipping of the new Silver Spur was to begin about now. I'm going to the Shot Show in two weeks and will have a clear update of shipping dates after that meeting. Watab Kid... This new Lightning is very different from previous versions and I totally agree that they need to have the bugs worked out first!! I'll report back after the Shot Show. RR

Cowboys, Cowgirls, Gamblers, Rustlers, Bartends, and Drovers… To kick off your New Year the Kings River Regulators is excited to announce the 31st Annual ShootOut at Fort Miller, April 16-18, 2026 at our range in Clovis, California. This event marks 31 fantastic years of super stages, fun scenarios, and great camaraderie. CLICK HERE to watch a 2.5 min video about our match! The Shootout at Fort Miller is a not-to-miss event including: Side Matches galore - Speed Pistol, Speed Rifle, Speed Shotgun, Long Range, 3-Gun Blast, Sharp Shooter, and a chance to take a test-ride-and-shoot on our heralded Ore Cart - followed by a two-day 11-stage Main Match filled with fun, challenging, and mystifying scenarios. And, there’s our Awards Dinner, Raffle, Ice Cream Social, Costume Contest, a ton of camaraderie, and much more! And … we’re bringing back the “Plinkerton” category; you can shoot the whole match .22 L/LR caliber (using shotgun for knock-downs). YOU JUST DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS MATCH! Mark your calendars now… April 16-18, 2026 • Better yet, Register now! CLICK HERE to go to our on-line registration system (or check the box on that page for a mail-in registration form). • For more information about the Kings River Regulators, please CLICK HERE. • Got questions about the match? PM me or contact our Match Director, Big Bad Blaine: cshirkey5563@msn.com Hope to see you there... Roger Rapid Marketing Deputy

Oh boy - time to pull the trigger - if you get my drift! RR

Just remembered one more thing to H.K. Uriah's early question about "what's different?" The new Silver Spur Lightning has a larger loading gate to facilitate loading rounds into the gate and pushing them in with your thumb. RR

Hi H.K. ... The major change you can see from the outside is that Pedersoli's new Silver Spur features swinging side guides - the previous version had fixed side guides held in place with two screws. The guides swing out as the cartridge is brought up on the lifter and they snap shut to trap and cradle the cartridge between the side guides and the lifter when the bolt is all the way back. They swing out again when the bolt is closed. This is intended to prevent stove-piping and feeding problems. Pedersoli borrowed the design of the swinging side guides from the original large frame Colt Lightning. (Colt produced Lightnings in three frame sizes. The medium frame is what we are familiar with now in the various versions from Uberti, AWA, USFA, Taurus, and the previous "classic" Pedersoli lightning. Each frame size was designed for the relative cartridge sizes - for example, the medium frame Lightning we all know was first designed for .44-40, .38-40, and .32-20.) I had a chance to operate the Silver Spur at last year's ShotShow, and I did not notice any added resistance or extra effort needed to cycle the rifle. It operated easily and smoothly. Actually, when I first cycled it, I didn't notice the side guides flipping out and back. because they moved so quickly. It looked like the lifter was redesigned, too. Not sure what else was changed on the internal parts. Can't wait to get my hands on one and take a peek inside. RR

Pedersoli has just announced that shipping dates for the new Silver Spur Lightning rifle has moved to February due to increased orders beyond what was initially anticipated. The two dealers now taking orders are: Taylor's and Company info@taylorsfirearms.com www.taylorsfirearms.com 540-722-2017 Direct link to Taylor's Lightning page: https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/silver-spur-lightning-rifle-24-45lc.html and Italian Firearms Group (IFG) info@ifg.com www.italianfirearmsgroup.com 800-450-1852 Direct link to IFG's Lightning page: https://italianfirearmsgroup.com/silver-spur/?searchid=63938&search_query=lightning The first release of the Silver Spur will be 24˝ round barrel, curved buttplate, checkered walnut stock and foregrip, in .45LC. RR

Hi Old Grouch... I'll send you a copy of my Taurus manual (24 pages). The Taurus "ThunderBolt" Lightning is more similar to the AWA version - the Uberti and Pedersoli internal workings are quite different from each other, and from the AWA version. Uberti or Pedersoli parts will NOT fit the AWA version. (I have also prepared detailed manuals for the Uberti and Pedersoli Lightnings.) On its way to you. Stay Healthy! RR

Lightning rifles are super fun to shoot, but do take some practice - as with anything - to learn how to cycle them smoothly and consistently. Most problems I see with Lightnings are the driver, not the vehicle. The AWAs can be made to run well. Taurus is the bottom of the barrel. Uberti's have too many built-in safety's, and a Pedersoli Lightning is a fine machine. They are all tight out-of-the-box and need some help with slicking (unless worked on before), and they all need frequent teardown and cleaning because of intricate inner workings - but look at the cleaning as your friend, it's what you do if you want to shoot one. Because of the bolt design, the straight-shell versions (.45LC/.357) have some blowback (the necked case of the .44-40/.38-40 have much less) but good glasses help. I have several flavors, and my Pedersoli is my favorite match gun - it helped win me a buckle! I have detailed teardown documentation for the Pedersoli, Uberti, and Taurus (Taurus document can be used for AWA) that is available gratis - just PM me. RR

Pardners... Regarding my assembly/diassembly manual, I'd like to ask that you do not forward it to someone else unless you also provide me with their email address. I send out updates and corrections from time to time - the current version is rev. 15 - and I want to be sure everyone gets the most current version. I promise not to use the email list for any other purpose than to provide updates or information related to the Pedersoli Lightning. (The current version is 28 pages and the PDF file is 9M.) Thanks... RR

Lost Vaquero... The firing pins on the .357 models are .060" diameter and are prone to breakage. Rather than replacing it, I'd suggest you install a .45LC firing pin which is .095" dia. The larger diameter of the firing pin end requires drilling the bolt. The larger firing pin runs as well and will not break. I can do it for you if you are concerned about drilling the bolt. RR

2 Barrels Bob... On it's way to your email - enjoy! RR

Thanks CRP - if .44-40 they should have run really well. Bummer.. ..RR