Colt Lightning question for an expert, I'm not.

c-fbmi

c-fbmi

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I have an 1885 mid size frame colt lightning in 38-40. It has a breech locking bar in the front of the trigger guard, which is not actuated by the pump. I have been working it by finger for each shot, work the pump, lock the breech, fire, unlock the breech and work the pump. The pump will not move fired or cocked with this bar in lock position and vice versa it will move cocked or fired with this bar in the unlocked position.

Is this the normal operation of this firearm?
Is it safe to fire this rifle without doing this manual locking step?
Has something come apart inside and this should be actuated with the pump?

This seems to me to defeat the pupose of the pump, namely speed of fire.

Any Colt experts out there that can shed some light on this for me.
 
The recoil from the first shot is supposed to disengage it... In fact, the lightnings were capable of being fired in succession by holding the trigger down and just pumping away...
 
Superbrad said:
The recoil from the first shot is supposed to disengage it... In fact, the lightnings were capable of being fired in succession by holding the trigger down and just pumping away...
Click to expand...

So you're saying this lock is just for carry or scabbard puposes and it is safe to fire this rifle without this lock engaged? I know the 97 win fires as you descibe but the action still locks when the bolt comes to full battery and is only unlocked once the hammer drops, this lightning action isn't like that. I'm not particularly fond of the idea of having to have the bolt surgically removed from my forehead prior to the funeral !!

HEY...wait a minute, you wouldn't just be trying to get a good deal on some guns from my estate sale now would ya, Superbrad?Laugh2:eek::D
 
It may not hurt a CF gun but I'd refrain from repeated dry firing a century old piece...Harold
 
Never owned a Lightning and don't have any input I'm afraid, but here's a good diagram if it helps the discussion.

8e9909d7.png
 
A lot of the CAS are looking for those as they are faster than the levers for timed events........Harold
 
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