Roger Rapid

Thanks for addressing this H.K. I hope this isn't hijacking this thread but I did want to point out that not only were there several makers of the Lightning rifle but each manufacturer had its own design ideas for the internal workings of the action. On the outside all versions looked pretty similar but on the inside they are very different. (Below is a chart of the differences between the various versions.) Some data points: Inside and outside, the USFA and AWA are most like the original 1884 Colt Lightning. The Uberti "Gold Rush" has, IMHO, an abundance of unnecessary internal safeties but is nicely made and finished. I believe the Taurus "Thunderbolt" to be the worst from a standpoint of fit, internal workings, machining, and finish. Lastly, in my mind, the Pedersoli version is head and shoulders above the rest with several well-executed internal design features, and having excellent fit and finish. And, of course, Pedersoli is the only Lightning being made today! Having said all this, all of these versions can be made to run well for CAS in the hands of a capable CAS gunsmith. RR

Lumpy... Yup - I'll take photos of it when at the Shot Show and will post them... ..RR

For the past two years Pedersoli has been undergoing a revision to its Pedersoli Lightning rifle, making some mechanical adjustments and trimming down the product line from several models to just a few models. I have just learned that Pedersoli will be introducing the first of the new Lightning models at the Shot Show in January 2025 in Las Vegas. The first model will focus on cowboy action shooting and will feature a 24˝ round barrel in .45LC (.357 version to follow) and a stock with a curved butt plate. While some shooters like the 20˝ carbine version, the extra 4˝ is helpful for stability and sight acquisition when working the action rapidly. I have heard that among the new mechanical features is the use of floating cartridge guides/ejection plates to improve feeding. I will know more when I get a chance to handle the new version at the Shot Show and will report back then. Roger Rapid

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

Crooked River Pete... What caliber was your USFA? If it was .357, were you running .38s or .357s in it? RR

The Lightning replicas from each of the makers are typically too tight out of the box for CAS and they all need work to run smoothly. The three shown here are (top to bottom) Pedersoli, Taurus, and Uberti, and while they appear to be close to the original Colt design, each maker has their unique internal workings that presents an array of advantages and disadvantages. (Look at little details like trigger design, one or two screws in the shell-guides / ejection plates, hammer shape, etc.) The Taurus will slam-fire out of the box. The Uberti can be made to slam fire by a simple adjustment to the safety lever on the hammer. A lot has to be done to the Pedersoli to get it to slam fire. (I'm providing slam-fire info because folks are usually curious about it - but I don’t personally recommend slam firing a Lightning for CAS). The Pedersoli features a foregrip release mechanism (“rocker arm”) that prevents the foregrip from coming back until the hammer strikes the firing pin (a very nice feature if you like to pull the rifle into your shoulder when aiming). The foregrip on the Taurus and Uberti can be pulled back and action opened while the rifle is cocked. Uberti version is loaded with safeties that make the action stiff unless you remove some of the safeties. It also makes the action not as smooth to run as the Taurus or Pedersolil. A ball-check on the Uberti's carriage (slide) helps to keep the action in a fully closed / foregrip-forward position - but it also puts a lot of drag on the slide's movement. The wood and stock's finish is good on the Pedersoli and Uberti and pretty poor on the Taurus (the stock and foregrips on the Pedersoli shown here are mine). IMHO, the Pedersoli is the best overall made and best internal workings. The Uberti is second, and the Taurus is third. The Taurus has a dust cover (as on the original 1884 Colt Lightnings), other versions do not. Typically, the “.357" versions run better in .357 than they do with .38 SPEC cartridges (the 1.60” OAL is important for the .357 version). All three versions generally load and run better with .44-40, .38-40, and .45LC rounds (what the medium frame Colt Lightning was originally designed for) than they do with either the smaller diameter .357s or .38s. For staying on point of aim, the 26” barrel versions - while heavier - are steadier than the 20” carbine versions. === With some work, a bit of know-how, and attention to detail, these rifles can be made to run as fast and reliably as any lever gun. My favorite Lightning is a Pedersoli with an octogon 26” barrell in .45LC. I regularly shoot three matches a month - plus regionals, etc., - and very rarely have my Pedersoli misfunction on me. When a misfunction happens, it is me misfunctioning on the rifle!! RR

Lost Vaquero... Yes, a push stick is really helpful. I use a small piece of antler with the end rounded and keep it in a loop in my gun belt. While the design of the cartridge retaining lever allows the Lightning to accept a range of bullet lengths, it is ideal to stay as close to the intended OAL as possible. The .357 version was designed for a cartridge OAL of 1.60˝ - and you can load a bit shorter than that. However, while it is generally accepted that a "... .357 gun will also shoot .38 ...", proper feeding and positioning on the lifter - at speed - depends on the cartridge properly fitting the length of the lifter, and seating properly under the two side guides. .38SPEC rounds with short bullets (like 96g) can slide forward and either stove-pipe or get its rim hung up between the lifter the side guides. Note also that Pedersoli's Lightning is stamped ".357." and not ".357/38". So, it is best to load .357s, or .38s with heavier lead - like 125g - and keep the length as close to 1.60˝ as possible (with a good crimp, of course). Set up right, these are great rifles! ...RR