1877 Colt Lightning fix, refinish, sell for parts

[Gonefishin]

I have this Colt, the cylinder doesn't turn when you cock or pull the trigger back. I have heard this is common with them but not sure? Would it worth fixing, or fixing and getting it refinished. Last sell as parts or a wall hanger. Help you would be great!!!

[Jim K]

Those guns are hard to get parts for and harder to work on or find anyone who will work on them. The poor outside finish makes it probable that an internal rebuild, if you could do one, would still not make the gun very valuable and would likely cost more than the added value to the gun.

My recommendation would be to sell it for what you can get (probably $200 or so) to some suck.... I mean some discerning collector who wants a project and restoral gun.

Jim

[Gonefishin]

Thanks for the info. I would not sell to some suck.... I don't have a lot in it and at least for me old Colts are hard to find. Hoping it was worth fixing.

[WHSmithIV]

Well, if you don't have much in it now, you can probably fix it for a $150 in parts maximum if there isn't much wrong with it. The cylinder not turning means that the cylinder hand is not coming up. Most likely it would just need a new hand or trigger. That model actuates the hand direct from the trigger as near as I can see.
Here is a parts diagram for the pistol.
http://www.coltparts.com/pt_1877da.html

Looks like 0000 steel wool would strip the remaining finish with no problem, then, clean all the parts in a bath and you should be able to blue it. Getting it all nickel finished would be fairly costly in comparison. Ultimate value won't be greatly increased with whatever finish you put on it but bluing can be done inexpensively enough.

[Gonefishin]

Thanks for the information, bluing is an idea I had not thought of?

[hrf]

Originally Posted by Gonefishin

Thanks for the information, bluing is an idea I had not thought of?

To each his own, but that gun is not cosmetically horrible, and the nickel will take more than 0000 steel wool to remove.

Even not working, any polishing and refinishing will only reduce value to most collectors, even if sold for parts.

[RJay]

I have seen Colt Lighting's in poor condition go for 400 to 500 dollars on some of the auction sites. The second you start polishing or refinishing it the value will drop to half of any value it does have. Just my 2 Cents

[Gonefishin]

Good information. Maybe worth fixing and just using it? Barrel and inside cylinder look pretty good. Would guess one working but in not so great shape would have some value. Just don't to pay more to fix then it is worth in the end. Thanks.

[45Auto]

The one piece hard rubber grip is early and uncommon. It's also a short "Storkeepers" model.

I have restored a few '77 Lightning and Thunderer Colts and they are a pain to work on. But by far the worst '77s to work on are those that an inexperienced person tried to fix and failed.

Whatever you do DO NOT mess with the finish or try to reblue it. You will get the most money selling it as is.

[Maine04657]

Someone already posted the link to Colt parts where you should be able to get all the replacement parts you need.

Then ask yourself do you want a collector gun or a safe shooter. I myself would have it refinished and rebuild it. As the cylinder is not working if your unfamiliar with how to get the timing correct have a smith do this as it is not something you wish to have done wrong.

[Gonefishin]

I would never try and fix it myself, that I am sure of. Just need to figure out, fix or sell as is. Thanks for all the comments.

[Gonefishin]

45Auto - do you work on them if I decided to do that?

[45Auto]

Originally Posted by Gonefishin

45Auto - do you work on them if I decided to do that?

Sorry, I retired long ago from working on guns for other people. These days I only fix my own.

[Jim K]

FWIW, the most common parts to have problems/breakage on those guns are the sear and cylinder stop spring, the cylinder stop, the trigger spring, the hand spring and the trigger strut spring. The hands will sometimes have the little pin broken off.

The hammers are often a problem. Unlike the SAA, the hammer notches can't just be re-cut if they break out or wear since the depth of the single action notch is an important part of positioning the trigger; if the notch is too deep the trigger won't pick up the cylinder stop at the right point and the cylinder won't turn.

The cylinder stop is a bit of a bear to fit and time, and I rather suggest having two on hand since the fit is critical and if one gets messed up, it is handy to have a spare. (AFAIK, there are NO original ones - new ones are cast oversize and have to be fitted by hand with a file and a lot of cut and try.

One might gather from the above that having a gunsmith do that kind of work (if a gunsmith can be found who will even touch one of those guns) will not be cheap.

Obviously, I have not seen that gun and do not know what is wrong with it. But I have to think that the optimism shown by advice of the "just fix it up" variety is might not be warranted.

Jim

[Gonefishin]

Jim,

Thanks for the information. I think I am just leaning toward trying to sell as is or for parts. Let someone who knows what they are doing decide what is the best for this old Colt.

[Jim K]

You will get next to nothing for the gun as parts unless you hit someone who will buy the gun at retail parts prices, which is unlikely. Parts dealers will give you a dollar or so for a part they will sell for $20.

You can advertise parts and sell pieces one at at time, but that might take a long time and be a lot of trouble. Obviously, it is your gun to do what you want with it.

Jim

[dadoc]

Hi Gonefishing, is are you still interested in selling the lightining.
Ed