I have had experience with all but the Lewis pistols. I assume the Lewis pistols were made by Rob Lewis. He and his Dad, Dick had a business call Tri-L. Don't quote me on this. Its been 12 years since I shot on the pistol line at Friendship, so I have to refer to my years as a competitor from 1985 to 1999.
I started out with a pair of Ten-Ring pistols like you have. These were made by Alex Blaines of San Antonio, TX. They were serial numbered and in .45 caliber. Back in the 60's & '70's when NRA Conventional Pistol Shooting was hot at Camp Perry, and the 1911-A1 was "King", Mr. Blaines decided to construct his pistols with the grip angle of a 1911-A1 .45 ACP. His pistols became very popular with "Bullseye Shooters" (Conventional Pistol). He also offered an inline action muzzle loading rifle (before Tony Knight in '85).
The Yazel pistols were designed by Harold Yazel of Mentone, IN. He and his son, Mike built percussion and flint pistols to sell as a "custom-order pistol. They were available in .45, .40, .36, & .32. Flintlocks were available in either right-hand or left-hand configuration. They were available with accompanying false muzzles, if requested. Mike was a past National Champion, Distinguished Master & past President of NMLRA.
The Yazel is based on the grip angle of the Smith & Wesson Model 41 (.22 cal) pistol, which was also a favorite among "Bullseye Shooters". In Coventional Pistol, the favorite .22 RF pistols were the Hi-Standard Citation & the S & W Model 41. Most of the pistol competitors use Herrett's "National" model grips.
IMHO, the Yazel pistols are an improvement over the "Ten-Ring" Pistols. Simpler mechanism inside. I have shot my Yazel percussion pistol thousands of times in competition & practice. Nothing has broken. Think I have replaced the nipple/breechplug three times since 1987. From 1987 till 1999, I bought dozens and dozens of Yazel pistols to sell at the Nationals and here in the Carolinas.
For a long time, I was on the s**t list in WV among pistol shooters, because I sold H.P. Gregory a .40 caliber Yazel at Friendship one year.
When He sold it, WV pistol shooters breathed a sigh of relief (I'm told).
The "Lightning" pistols were made by Cimarron Gun Works in Mehan, OK. I don't have much experience with the percussion model, but I have a flint model in .36 caliber, SN# 001, here by my side, which I just finished cleaning. The "Lightning" is made with an aluminum lower receiver, a 11" round barrel, and fitted with a Voequartsen rubber three-finger grip, and the flint-lock facing the shooter on the barrel. The lock work in side is quite elaborate, bordering on fancy. I don't know how they fared business-wise. Figured they closed.
The flint pistol first belonged to a friend of mine, Dan Hardman, in this area. Dan is a former National M-L Pistol Champion numerous times, Distinguished Master, 4th in Revolver in International Competition, and an all-around great shooter. His wife, Joan has won the Ladies National Championship a few times as well.
Another inline you have not mentioned but is worth considering is the Mouzon pistol. Designed and crafted by John Mouzon of Anderson, SC and available on in percussion, it is based on the grip angle of the
Ruger MK III MK678, .22 RF pistol, available in .36 and .32 calibers. Sold mostly to shooters in the South.
I can put you in touch with John if interested. As to calibers, younger fellows tend to go with .45 caliber, older shooters, mindful of recoil and shooting hundreds of rounds at Friendship at the National Matches, favor .40 & .36 & .32 caliber.
The .32 caliber is especially popular for what .32 cal RB's are besides .32 RB. That is also the diameter of
"0 Buck". When a box of Hornady .315 RB used to be $ 6.00/100, one could buy a 5 lb box of Hornady "0 Buck" buckshot for $14.00. There would be about 500 rds of buckshot in that 5 lb box. $6.00 per 100 or $14.00 per 500, now which caliber pistol will I choose?
I miss not being back at Friendship, and hope I can get back “in the Groove” and attend this Fall. Had two bouts with cancer one in '99 and a return to the radiation room in 2003. Guess, I'm "clean now", but the money I spent to pay the part that major medical didn't pay could have bought me a new truck.
But life's like that, sometimes.
Best books on shooting (slow fire/timed fire)M-L pistol in competition is the US Army Basic Pistol Marksmanship Manual written by the AMTU (Army Marksmanship Training Unit) at Fort Benning, GA, (available at gun shows)
AND
Gil Hebard's "Pistol Shooter's Treasury" out of Knoxville, ILL. Hebard's book has chapters written by men who all have one thing in common...they all won the National Pistol Championship at Camp Perry, OH.
One of the best that ever was, was "Mr Pistol" in the '60's at Camp Perry....Bill Blankenship.
He made a simple yet prolific statement that will stand the test of time in my store back in the '80's.
"ACCURACY IS 99% CONCENTRATION"
'Nuff Said. Everyone reading this is probably asleep already.
I'm a little wordy, sometimes. Hard to keep ramblings simple from such a simple mind.
"Keep 'em in the center" (close together)
Buck Buchanan
