Cimarron CA980DC Lightning Dual Cylinder 9mm Luger 38 Special 6 Shot 3.50" Blued Steel Barrel, Blued Cylinder, Color Case Hardened Steel Frame, Wood Grip

The Cimarron CA980DC Lightning is a dual-cylinder revolver that bridges Old West aesthetics with modern reliability. Built on the profile of the classic Colt 1877 Lightning but engineered with single-action simplicity and 21st-century durability, this 6-shot revolver chambers both 9mm Luger and .38 Special—letting you train and shoot with two of the most common handgun cartridges without swapping guns. The distinctive bird's head grip, color case hardened steel frame, and blued cylinder and barrel give it authentic frontier character, while the 3.50" barrel strikes a balance between handling and sight radius for sport shooting, defensive work, or collecting.

Cimarron redesigned the 1877 Lightning concept to eliminate the complicated, fragile mechanisms that plagued the original Colt. Where the 19th-century double-action designs were notoriously finicky, this modern interpretation trades complexity for the proven simplicity of single-action operation—meaning a cleaner trigger, fewer moving parts, and a gun you can depend on. The wood grip provides classic feel and secure control, while the all-steel construction delivers the heft and balance shooters expect from a serious small-frame revolver.

This is a thoughtful choice if you want period-correct looks without sacrificing modern performance, or if you're building a dual-caliber battery for training and competition. The dual-cylinder design means you're not locked into one cartridge, making it versatile for handloaders and shooters who like flexibility.

Key Features

• Dual cylinder design: fire 9mm Luger or .38 Special without changing guns
• 6-shot capacity
• 3.50" blued steel barrel
• Color case hardened frame and blued cylinder for authentic appearance and corrosion resistance
• Bird's head grip profile for comfortable, period-accurate handling
• Single-action operation for reliability and simplicity
• Wood grips

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch between 9mm and .38 Special on this revolver?

Yes. The CA980DC comes with dual cylinders, so you can load .38 Special in one cylinder and 9mm Luger in the other. You'll swap the cylinder based on which cartridge you want to shoot.

Is this revolver suitable for concealed carry or defensive use?

The 3.50" barrel and single-action operation make this a sport and range revolver first. Carry suitability depends on your specific needs and local laws; we recommend speaking with our team about your intended use.

What's the grip style like?

It features a bird's head grip—a smaller, more rounded profile inspired by the original Colt 1877 design. It's comfortable for most hands and gives the revolver a distinctive, period-correct appearance.

What's the difference between this and the original Colt 1877 Lightning?

Cimarron redesigned the Lightning with single-action operation instead of the original's complex double-action mechanism. This simplification improves reliability and durability while keeping the classic looks—you get the 19th-century aesthetic with 21st-century performance.