Two of my CAS rifles

jimbobborg · Jun 26, 2014

I just picked up this Taurus Thunderbolt, which is a Colt Lightning rifle replica, and she's next to my Uberti 1860. Both have case colored receivers.

Testing out the Thunderbolt this weekend, she seems to feed my cowboy loads, let's see if she'll work at SASS speeds.

Rickhead · Jun 27, 2014

I had one of the Thunderbolts, nice rifle, just never shot it much.

jimbobborg · Jun 30, 2014

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I ran a full mag through the Taurus. It likes the LRNFP loads but not the SWC loads. Slam firing was quite interesting, too.

Rickhead · Jun 30, 2014

jimbobborg said:
I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I ran a full mag through the Taurus. It likes the LRNFP loads but not the SWC loads. Slam firing was quite interesting, too.

I only shot the 250grain roundnose lead through mine. The only problem I had was operator error, when I didn't pull the slide all the way back. Slam firing was good for effect but I couldn't really hit much. It was a fun rifle and seemed well made.

jimbobborg · Jul 1, 2014

Rickhead said:
I only shot the 250grain roundnose lead through mine. The only problem I had was operator error, when I didn't pull the slide all the way back. Slam firing was good for effect but I couldn't really hit much. It was a fun rifle and seemed well made.

It seems these Taurus rifles had problems feeding properly. I wonder how much of that was due to user error or ammo the rifle didn't like? I think I'm going to track down some .45 Schofield and see how it likes it.

Rickhead · Jul 1, 2014

jimbobborg said:
It seems these Taurus rifles had problems feeding properly. I wonder how much of that was due to user error or ammo the rifle didn't like? I think I'm going to track down some .45 Schofield and see how it likes it.

I know the early ones had feeding problems but it was supposed to be fixed later on in production. I think they got a bad reputation on the CAS forums and it killed sales. They're out of production now. I probably put 200+ rounds through mine with only 2-3, if that, operator error feed problems. I used factory ammo and reloads from NSK (Neil Kravitz) who does Maryland gunshows.

jimbobborg · Jul 2, 2014

I had one bobble last night during a match, otherwise a good run with the rifle.

Rickhead · Jul 2, 2014

Since they've been out of production for a while I'm curious where you found it. I haven't seen any for sale for quite a while.

jimbobborg · Jul 2, 2014

Taurus had parts left over so they're finishing those and shipping them out at a loss. I got mine from an estate sale, the guy who bought it died the night he bought it, so I have an unfired used rifle. Weird, I know.

Rickhead · Jul 3, 2014

I had not heard about Taurus building more Thunderbolts. I think the first bad reviews really hurt sales as I believe they were trying to get into the CAS market. That market seems to be dominated by the Uberti 1873's which have a myriad of aftermarket products to enhance performance in competition.
Kind of a sucks for the original purchaser. Hopefully your purchase will help his widow, or whoever survived him.

Two of my CAS rifles

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