Fun day!

Hardcase · June 2, 2012, 07:14 PM

I've been so doggone busy lately, that I haven't been shooting for a few weeks. Today, I finally got a chance to spend about four hours at the range. What a fun day.

There were only two little hiccups. The first was that the old Colt Lightning will hold 9 .38-40s in the tube. The only problem is that it's capacity is 8. Number nine takes up its place under the cartridge lifter, completely locking up the action. I became intimately familiar with the magazine system for the rifle, including the discovery that the plug in the end will fly every bit as far as a Winchester's. Thankfully, it went straight up and almost just as straight down. So note to self: Don't load until the last one doesn't fit.

The other problem?

Don't put the empties back in the range bag. It wasn't a total loss - I had about 30 11's that fit if I squished 'em.

And I managed to get home way before my wife, so I got to sit in the air conditioned living room to clean the rifle.

It was hot outside!

OutlawJoseyWales · June 2, 2012, 07:21 PM

Looks like you were ready for an entire band of Comancheros there, nice looking arsenal. But if you are gonna' hold 'em off for long, you'd better bring some more caps.

Hawg · June 2, 2012, 07:32 PM

Clip a few coils out of the mag spring. I thought it held 10. If you don't know, you can leave a fired case in the chamber when you clean the bore and you won't push all the crud into the action. Don't try it with a .45 Colt tho.

Hardcase · June 2, 2012, 09:15 PM

I thought it held 10, too. I usually just load five - I'm in the habit from silhouette shooting. Anyway, now I know how to clear a round from under the lifter, so some good came of the experience.

I hadn't thought about leaving a spent round in the chamber - that's a great idea!

And I stopped by Cabelas on the way home and grabbed several tins of #10 CCI caps.

Hawg · June 2, 2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

I hadn't thought about leaving a spent round in the chamber - that's a great idea!

I learned that with my 44-40. The thin case neck expands to virtually seal off the chamber so no blow by gets in the action and it stays sealed. A straight walled .45 Colt wont seal it off.

**4V50 Gary** · June 3, 2012, 12:06 PM

Sounds like a lot of fun. I went to Bent's Fort in La Junta where they have a fur trade reenactment this weekend.

Hawg · June 3, 2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Sounds like a lot of fun. I went to Bent's Fort in La Junta where they have a fur trade reenactment this weekend.

WHAT? No pics?

June 2, 2012, 09:15 PM	#4
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	I thought it held 10, too. I usually just load five - I'm in the habit from silhouette shooting. Anyway, now I know how to clear a round from under the lifter, so some good came of the experience. I hadn't thought about leaving a spent round in the chamber - that's a great idea! And I stopped by Cabelas on the way home and grabbed several tins of #10 CCI caps. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

June 3, 2012, 12:06 PM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	Sounds like a lot of fun. I went to Bent's Fort in La Junta where they have a fur trade reenactment this weekend. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

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June 2, 2012, 07:14 PM	#1
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Fun day! I've been so doggone busy lately, that I haven't been shooting for a few weeks. Today, I finally got a chance to spend about four hours at the range. What a fun day. There were only two little hiccups. The first was that the old Colt Lightning will hold 9 .38-40s in the tube. The only problem is that it's capacity is 8. Number nine takes up its place under the cartridge lifter, completely locking up the action. I became intimately familiar with the magazine system for the rifle, including the discovery that the plug in the end will fly every bit as far as a Winchester's. Thankfully, it went straight up and almost just as straight down. So note to self: Don't load until the last one doesn't fit. The other problem? Don't put the empties back in the range bag. It wasn't a total loss - I had about 30 11's that fit if I squished 'em. And I managed to get home way before my wife, so I got to sit in the air conditioned living room to clean the rifle. It was hot outside! __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae Last edited by Hardcase; June 2, 2012 at 09:10 PM.

June 2, 2012, 07:21 PM	#2
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	Looks like you were ready for an entire band of Comancheros there, nice looking arsenal. But if you are gonna' hold 'em off for long, you'd better bring some more caps.

June 2, 2012, 07:32 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Clip a few coils out of the mag spring. I thought it held 10. If you don't know, you can leave a fired case in the chamber when you clean the bore and you won't push all the crud into the action. Don't try it with a .45 Colt tho.