Taurus Thunderbolt 45 Colt Action Rifle

Like the original Colt, the Taurus is a short-stroke pump gun that feeds from a tubular magazine that rides beneath the barrel. Loading the magazine is through a loading gate on the right side of the receiver, and the .45 Colt version holds fourteen cartridges. With one in the chamber, that gives a total capacity of fifteen of the fat forty-fives.

The sample rifle has a handsome wood buttstock and forearm, with checkering on the latter. The bluing is a deep black, with the metal well-polished. The fit and finish of the rifle are excellent. The buttstock wears a very good-looking curved steel buttplate. It leaves the shooter the opportunity to fashion the notch to his own desires.

The trim barrel measures twenty-six inches long and is just over five-eighths of an inch in diameter at the muzzle. The Taurus website lists the weight of the Thunderbolt at 130 ounces (eight and one-eighth pounds), but that is incorrect.

The .45 Colt Thunderbolt weighs in at six pounds and thirteen ounces, and balances just ahead of the trim little receiver, which is just over one inch wide.  The overall length is forty-three inches. I really like the way that the Thunderbolt handles it. It is an easy rifle to shoot, and the recoil is minimal.

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