Colt Lightning Large Frame
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1887
Also known as: Colt Lightning Express, Colt Large Frame Express Lightning, Colt Lightning Express Model
Overview
The Colt Lightning Large Frame is a slide-action (pump-action) rifle produced by Colt from 1887 to 1894. Known as the 'Express Model', it was the heaviest of the three Lightning frame sizes and was chambered for powerful big-game cartridges including the .50-95 Express, .38-56, .40-60, .45-60 and .45-85. Designed by Dr. William H. Elliott, the large frame Lightning was intended to compete with the Winchester Model 1876 lever-action as a hunting rifle suitable for American bison and other large game. With only about 6,496 examples manufactured, it is by far the rarest of the Lightning rifles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1168 mm (45.98") |
| Barrel Length | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Pump Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 475 m/s (1558 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2188 J (1614 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .50-95 Express · primary — also known as .50-95 Winchester, .50-95 WCF, 50-95-300 Express
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Slide Action, Tubular Magazine, Round Or Octagon Barrel, Exposed Hammer
Service history
Operators
- Civilian big game hunters · adopted 1887
Production
Estimated total produced: 6,496 · Production years: 1887-1894
Total across all large frame calibers; doubt exists over exact figure due to a gap of roughly 2,000 in the serial range.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: William H. Elliott
Discontinued: 1894
Notes
Standard barrel length was 28 inches for the rifle and 22 inches for the carbine, available in round or octagon profiles. Far fewer large frame rifles were made than the small and medium frame versions, each of which numbered close to 90,000.
Background
The Lightning's slide-action design was purchased by Colt from inventor Dr. William H. Elliott in 1883. The large frame 'Express' earned its name from its ability to chamber the hard-hitting .50-95 Express cartridge, making it a rare American pump-action rifle marketed to buffalo and big-game hunters of the late frontier era.