Colt Lightning Pump Action Rifle Reproductions

[Regal Eagle]

Hi All
I am interested in purchasing a reproduction of a Colt Lightning Rifle. There are various manufacturers making these clones. Is there one particular manufacturer that makes a better clone than the others? The manufacturers I have found are Pedersoli, Taurus, Beretta, Uberti, AWA, Cimaron, EMF, USFA. I have heard one of the manufacturers has modified the action for more reliable fuction and durability, I can't find which one. Does any know which manufacturer modifies the actions? I am interested in a 357 or 44 magnum caliber and I am looking for a shooter not a show piece. If anyone has any expertise with these reproductions and can guide me in the right direction, I would greatly appriciate the help. Thanks in advance for any help or advice rendered.

[003]

While it is not my intention to bash any or the manufactures you mentioned, I do know the USFA is considered the “gold” standard when it comes to their single action revolvers. Based on that alone, I suspect if it were me, I would give serious consideration to their other products.

[14delta]

I own lightnings by AWA and Pedersoli both in 44/40.
The AWA lightning was one of the early production guns and took a couple trips back to the factory and finally a trip to an expert lightning gunsmith to make it run right. In the last five years it has run perfectly, Its light, Fast and will slam fire if the trigger is held back while operating the action. I understand that the current production guns will run well right out of the box, All in all I think it's a pretty good gun.
The Pedersoli has worked well from the start, I bought one with a heavy 26" octogon barrel to get more weight out in front and hold me a little steadier on target while working the action. I think the AWA action might be a little faster but the pedersoli seems more solid and so far has been glitch free.
The Pedersoli won't slam fire which is OK for me since I can't hit a thing when I do it anyway, There's a button on the trigger guard that allows you to unload the rifle without having to lower the hammer on a live round for every round you unload which I really like. Pedersoli also put screws on each end of the ejector/bolt guide bars which should pretty much eliminate their coming loose which is a problem on most of the other lightnings.
My son in laws brother has a USFA which is a beautiful rifle, I can attest to its good looks but since he's never fired it I don't know how it performs, But I've heard they run well.
I've heard of mixed results on the Uberti and Beretta some work some don't
The Taurus is a crap shoot, Some work but far more don't, Theirs a Cowboy action gunsmith(Deadeye Dallas) that's been successful in getting them to work but it seems like everyone he works on take a different fix to make it work.
I think all the manufacturers have a 38/357, I don't know of any making a 44 Mag. I've had my best luck with bottle neck cartridges such as 44/40, 38/40 and 32/20.
The EMF guns are Pedersolis, and I'm pretty sure Cimmaron imports Uberti's.
If I was going to buy another lightning it would be either a AWA, Pedersoli or USFA all of which seem to be pretty good guns.

14delta

[smle-man]

I have a late production Taurus Thunderbolt that worked the first time I shot it, bought it on close out from Turners a year ago. The earlier production guns got a bad reputation for feeding and firing problems but mine has worked perfectly. Shoots really low though so the front sight needs to be filed but I haven't had the nerve to do so yet. Accurate to fifty yards with my handloads, haven't shot it past that point. My only real problem with it is that the 24 inch barrel is too long for comfortable shooting, 20 inch would be better.

[Regal Eagle]

Hi All,
I want to thank everyone who has rendered advice to me on this subject, 003, 14delta and smle-man. All of your input was most helpful.
Regards,
George

[Slinky52]

I just purchased a 2011 produced Thunderbolt and was trying to find a contact for having it smoothed up a bit. Saw the post from 14delta on Cowboy action gunsmith(Deadeye Dallas) but Google was no help. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Steve.

[14delta]

The last I heard was Deadeye Dallas wasn't taking in any more work, But you might inquire about him on the SASS wire www.sassnet.com, At least you should get information that's a bit more up to date than mine.
14delta

[14delta]

Slinky52
I sent you a PM
14delta