Colt's · Rifle

Colt Lightning Large Frame

Name: Colt Lightning Large Frame
Brand: Colt's

Pump action · .50-95 Express · introduced 1887

Also known as Colt Lightning Express, Colt Large Frame Express Lightning, Colt Lightning Express Model

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About the Colt Lightning Large Frame

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.

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.

Colt Lightning Large Frame specifications

General

Type: Rifle
Action: Pump action
Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired
Trigger: Single action
Calibres: .50-95 Express
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
Magazine: Tubular

Dimensions

Barrel length: 711 mm (28.0 in)
Overall length: 1168 mm (46.0 in)
Weight (empty): 4.30 kg (9.48 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Stock: Walnut
Finish: blued

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 475 m/s (1558 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 2188 J (1614 ft·lb)
Effective range: 180 m

History

Introduced: 1887
Discontinued: 1894
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: US
Designer: William H. Elliott

Features

Slide action
Tubular magazine
Round or octagon barrel
Exposed hammer

Safety

Half cock notch

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.