Colt Lightning

[Bill]

Just recieved as a gift a .380 Auto, lightweight Colt autopistol.
Aluminum frame and stamped LIGHTNING .380
I know its no longer in production but I can't find any info on this little gun.
Can someone advise me when it was produced, and current bluebook value?
Does it have any collectability? It's a sweet little gun, feels great in the hand and shoots accurately.
Thanks, Bill

[Xracer]

Well Bill, I'm familiar with the Colt Lightning series of rifles, and Colt Model 1877 Lightning revolver, but I haven't heard of a Colt Lightning .380 pistol.

I don't find it listed in the 2003 Standard Catalog of Firearms, nor in the 25th Edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values.

Can you give us a bit more info on it? Is it a single-action or double-action?
How many rounds does it hold? Can you post a picture of it?

[inplanotx]

Nothing on a "Lightning" in my books either. Need a picture to take it from here unless CountryGunsmith comes along.

[Bill]

Indeed I think I have a rare bird here. It's clip holds 6 rounds which is one more than a Mustang, so I suspect its slightly larger than a Mustang. It easily fits in a front pants pocket. Feels like aluminum frame and has a stainless barrel and slide. Its clearly marked. LIGHTENING. Hope someone can find info on it. I went to a book store today and none of the reference books listed it.
Thanks for the responses.
Bill

[Bill]

Here's some more info concerning my little .380
I have the original manual which refers to all Colt MK IV Series 80
It lists: Government model .380
Govenment pocketlite
Mustang
Mustang +II
Mustang Pocketlite
There is no mention of the Lightning model which is what I have.
Bill

[Marlin]

Can you post a good close-up photo??

It might help.

[Bill]

Here's an attempt to post a picture of my Lightning.
I hope it sends properly

[Bill]

Here's my second attempt to send a pic...I'll quit if this dosen't work

[Xracer]

Well......that didn't work Bill. So much for pictures!

I've checked all of my books (and that's a whole bunch) and don't find it listed in any of them.

Here's a possibility. Try calling Colt Customer Service (1-800-962-COLT) and ask them what you've got.

Please let us know what you find out.....this is a real puzzler.

[Bill]

Thanks for the Colt phone #. I'll give them a call and post what I find out.
Thanks, Bill

[inplanotx]

Bill, if the picture is on your C drive, scroll down the reply screen to where it shows a button called "manage attachements". Click on this and go to your picture on your 'c' drive. After clicking on it, press the button that says "upload attachment". After this is done and shows it as uploaded, close the window and hit the "submit reply" button. It should be automatic at that point. Hope this helps.

[Marlin]

Here's the photo Bill took:

[LIKTOSHOOT]

Remarked slide and not factory.


LTS

[Bill]

Are you sure it's Re-marked and not factory. The Stamped markings are of high quality. Who would go to such trouble and why?
The fact that no info can be found so far supports your observation. In the picture you can see the serial number on the frame. Likely a call to colt with this number is the only way to resolve the issue. i'll do that tomorrow.
Thanks, Bill

[LIKTOSHOOT]

I am unaware of any pistol stamped "so" hard, that in itself is a giveaway. But the real fact is what`s missing, not what you are drawn to.


LTS

[Xracer]

It looks just like a Mustang PocketLite (see page 325, Standard Catalog of Firearms, 13th Edition)....but...... I don't think that it's just a restamp or re-mark. That wouldn't explain the 6-round capacity magazine.

The Mustang & Mustang PocketLite had a 5-round mag.

The Gov't Model 380, Mustang Plus II, and Gov't Pocketlite LW had a 7-round mag.

The Pony and Pony PocketLite had a 6-round magazine, but looks very different than Bill's gun.

Bill, when you call Colt, be sure to tell them about the 6-round magazine.

[Bill]

Yep,
I rechecked it and its a 6 round magazine.
According to my son he bought it several years ago at a Dallas gun show. It was sold as new in the box with instructions and a second magazine. The seller said it was factory modified by the Colt custom shop and that about 500 were made. I have no idea if he knew what he was talking about or was truthful.
Colt's offices are closed until next Monday, so the mystery remains.
Thanks for the help. Bill

[LIKTOSHOOT]

Colt made 6 round magazines for those factory new, in blue or stainless. That does little to make it rare.


LTS

[Bill]

I called Colt customer service today. The gun was made in 1996. It's a Government Pocketlite. The government designation infers a 6 round magazine. According to her Colt did make limited editions stamped as I described. She thought it likely they were made for a specific distibuter, likely RSR. She also found that limited editions of the same gun were offered in the late 80's. Unfortunaely she didn't have access to more records to give me number produced etc.
The deep looking stamp is more of a result of my lighting and camera angle. it took me 4 tries just to get a picture to show the stamped markings. The one I posted really highlights the markings. Thanks for the help guys.
Bill

[Xracer]

Thanks for the update Bill.

Mystery solved. At least now you know it's a factory original.

[ndrcovr]

I have one of these also. So whats it worth?

[jimw]

Thanks for the info. My dad left me one just like the picture and the customer rep at Colt Mfg had no info on this gun. It was also not shown on Colt's web site. I'm trying to get an owner's manual for it. Any help would be appreciated.
jimw

[Steve02C5]

I had 2, NIB, and sold one, kept one.

[FORDMAN5595]

THE LIGHTNING WAS COMMISSIONED ON A LIMITED BASIS (500) BY LEW HORTON

[FORDMAN5595]

ONE JUST SOLD ON ********* FOR $850 USED IN GOOD CONDITION