Saw one today in LGS, first one I think I have ever put my hands on. Neat little rifle with over 50% of original finish still intact. It was a shame that the interior of the barrel was severely pitted. I asked the guy behind the counter if it was chambered in 22 short and he said it would shoot S/L/LR. Don't know, but neat old rimfire.

It took me a while to figure out how to load it , but after learning how, it shot great. Too bad about the rough bore on the one you found, they are something you don't see too often. All I have shot is shorts in mine and it cycles great.

If it's mechanically sound, you can get the barrel drilled out and a liner installed.

DF

It won't shoot long rifles. The colt lightning i have is a family gun and I think it's been shot by five generations.

Dink

I've got an old Stevens Crack Shot with severely corroded barrel and a nail for a firing pin. Once it leads up it still shoots fairly well. Not bad for a gun that sold for $3.

Had a fellow offer me a Lighting, but it was missing so many parts, l don't think I could have ever got it to work again. It's still on my bucket list of guns to own.

They will only take 22 Shorts & Longs- this gun was designed & introduced before the introduction of 22 Long Rifle and the action stroke is not long enough.

Guess that makes it a Short shooter, as I don't think you can get Longs any more.

If someone was going to have the barrel re-lined, then twist/chamber for .22 Short would make sense.

DF

CCI sells 22 Longs. Others may as well.

Thanks for the heads up.

DF

This one was made in 1900....

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/14198627

My wife's uncle gave me an old Colt Lightning small frame manufactured in 1899. It has a slightly pitted bore, but still shoots CB shorts fairly accurately. And yes, they are chambered in shorts/Longs only.

Made in 1890, chambered in 22 Long.

How is it you always have the cool chit?

I dunno. But thanks. It is a cool old gun...