I went digging.
Rooted up one of my antique Colt Lightning pump rifles in .44-40, and about a box and a half of ammo.
This rifle was almost a solid mass of rust when I bought it. Careful dis-assembly and a lot of diligent scrubbing un-froze the action. The bore was actually still in good shape. It looked like this gun had gotten wet while inside a gunsock.
It's only pitted on the outside. It shoots GREAT! Worn internal parts make it a bit cantankerous when feeding, but I try not slam-fire it empty as fast as I can run that two-inch stroke. It IS 118 years old after all. Senior citizens should be treated with respect.
It's a neat old gun. The envy of the Cowboy set. I'll bring it along.
Uhh...the range IS open on Labor Day, yes? Would be embarrassing to wind up milling around in the parking lot, and the local gendarmarie wouldn't appreciate impromptu target shooting, no matter what we let them shoot.
