1878 Colt Lighting

[29aholic]

Indeed SN#5594 was made in 1878

 

[DWalt]

"BTW: The 41 Long Colt is one of my favorite rounds and is a "little" bit hotter than non-+P 38 Specials. Elmer Keith thought it was a better "manstopper"."

The .41 LC was probably more popular in Mexico than in the USA. I have two boxes of the last run of .41 LC ammo made by Western back in the early 1970s. Western made up one last lot of one million rounds for a Texas gun distributor. I think it took him over ten years to sell them all. Maybe someday I'll get a real deal on a Colt in .41 LC so I can use them.

 

[M E Morrison]

If it is mechanically sound 38 Long Colt or reduced load target 38 Spls can be fired in this revolver and that's the good news. The bad news is their mechanisms are very delicate and prone to breakage and very difficult and expensive to repair today. You're the only one that can decide how to proceed.
Jim

I'll second this - personally I would not shoot it....

 

[shouldazagged]

It would be agony for me not to shoot it.

But I wouldn't.

I would clean it up, apply Ren Wax, and mount it in a nice shadow box for all to admire. Including those beautiful stocks. I wonder who made them, because it surely wasn't Colt.

 

[les.b]

Here's mine...I've had it for years, and even have a couple of boxes of spent cartridges and a box of factory ammunition for it, but have just never worked up the nerve to fire it. It is mechanically in perfect shape, and doesn't look too bad either, and I have debated the chances of breaking something because of the reputation of these as being so delicate.

In the case of yours, it is not just an item which has a certain intrinsic value, but is a family heirloom as well. Looking above, there is some really good advice from some guys with much more expertise than I possess!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[BigMuddy]

As others have commented, they are very "delicate". I loaded some 41's with black powder years ago for a friend's Thunderer and we fired it, but it was his gun and his choice. I've always been told it is not a question of IF but WHEN these guns will break. The thing is, it can be with the next shot taken or it may go several.

Your choice, just know that its next round fired could be its last.

Dan

 

[dandyrandy]

Bad things can happen with old firearms dont ask me how I know that... Many years ago I would say yeah go for it! Shoot that old rusted rattle trap till your hearts content but all it takes is one thing to go wrong to change your attitude about old guns. I dont risk it anymore but I still collect antiques. In other words all mine are just "wall hangers" these days.