Pedersoli copy colt lightning

I ve read that the Pedersoli copy is one of the best being less problematic than other copies.Best thing to do is check the cowboy action forums like CAS City Hall and read about them there
 
y2k said:
Anyone have experience with Pedersoli copy of the colt lighting. Looking at 44-40 or .357
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I have 4 colt lightnings

1 x original in 44-40
1 x USFA in 38-40
1 x Pedersoli in 44-40
1 x Pedersoli in .357 magnum

I primarily use the .357 magnum for cowboy action shooting because I spent some time getting it to run perfectly. The firing pin broke (common issue) so I had the bolt drilled out and installed the firing pin from a 45 colt/44-40
It suffered from light primer strikes but since I switched to federal primers that solved that problem.. another issue was the hammer bounching back to half #### and locking up the gun.. I solved this by filling in the half #### notch with JB weld
I use 158 grn flat nose bullets from a lee mold and they are exactly the right shape and lenght to cycle perfectly 5.5gn of Unique.
I havent used the other guns enough to find out if they have serious issues that need resolving but for the most part once you get the bullet lenght and shape right, they will run great

Roger Siminoff (siminoff@siminoff.net) offers a detailed manual on all the issues and how to resolve for the pedersoli lightning rifles


regards;

JJ
 
I hope the pedersoli copies don't have all the same issues as the original Colt revolvers did. They were so finicky and so easy to break.
 
infidel29 said:
I hope the pedersoli copies don't have all the same issues as the original Colt revolvers did. They were so finicky and so easy to break.
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They are referring to the Colt pump rifle not the revolver of the same name.I believe that no one makes a true copy of the revolver as it was a fragile design
 
There are two scenarios where I would recommend a Lightning copy to someone....they must be a re-loader and have the patience of "Jobe" and a very mechanical mind not afraid to tackle a complex apparatus that is hard to re-assemble after taking apart.
If you want a "right out of the box" fast shooter for Cowboy Action, it just aint gonna happen with any of the copies I have worked on or seen. They are "out of the box fun plinkers" that if you dont mind firing a few rounds until the next jam-up happens and you have to diss-assemble before going again ( the patience of Jobe thing), you'll like it fine.
 
My advice? Buy a miroku 1873, as it runs great right out of the box. If you don't mind minor tinkering, Italian 1873's also good. Lightning reproductions are what I'd recommend to someone I didn't like.
 
My Dad was talking with Belozir, he said their not that great, kind of complicated and not great to reload for. Probably be better to buy a new production 94 for around the same price.
 
My experience is with the Rossi copy in 45 Colt. There is a reason that lever guns were more popular. Without the mechanical advantage, the slide action just stops working after three or four shots with BP loads. My last shots had to be cleared by slamming the butt on the ground. It is also the reason that original chamberings were all tapered, bottleneck cartridges. They extract better.
 
I have a Pedersoli Lightning in 44-40, no problems at all.

I also have 50 years experience at reloading, so no worries on that front either.

Pedersoli might be discontinuing the Lightning model as I heard sales were down because of overall expense to produce.
 
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From what I have read 44/40 seems to be the best caliber for the Lightning as the case is slightly tapered which helps in cycling and loading.They are a cool looking gun
 
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