Can anybody tell me about the Colt Frontier Scout .22WMR?

[BHPshooter]

We've got one in the shop here, and it's really screaming out to me. I have wanted an SAA (or something close) since I was about 3, so the fact that this is in a caliber that I already use is a large plus. I'm thinking really hard about putting it on layaway.

This one's a blued finish in about 90-95%, the fit is good but not perfect, with black plastic/bakelite/whatever grips. The action seems to be great -- clean and crisp with the 4 clicks.

Anybody have any knowledge or experience regarding these? Any help is appreciated.

Wes

 

[Jet22]

Should have two cylinders but extra cylinders come up on Ebay often enough. How much??

 

[dfariswheel]

There were four variations of the Frontier Scout.

The versions with a "Q" or "F" suffix in the serial number were aluminum framed and came in 4 1/2" or 9 1/2" "Buntline" barrels.
The "Q" version was only made in 1957 and 1958, so these are worth a little more.

The version with a "K" suffix had "Zamac" (zinc) frames, and these Zamac framed models weight slightly more.

The Frontier Scout '62 with a "P" suffix had plastic "stag" grips and the "K" Zamac frame.

There were about 246,000 Frontier Scouts made between 1957 and 1970.
These came in a variety of blue or bright nickel finishes, with walnut or plastic grips in black or "staglite".

In 1970, Colt brought out a new version of the scout with a color case hardened frame, known as the Peacemaker and New Frontier 22.

Replacement .22 and .22 Magnum cylinders are available, BUT.... as in all revolvers, the cylinders MUST be individually fitted to the gun.

 

[blackedoutharley]

how much?????
What is the serial # ?
Got a pic?

 

[BHPshooter]

Sorry, I don't have the serial # on hand, nor have I had a chance to take a picture yet. Their asking price is $400, but I get 25% off as an employee.

They've actually got another one that we just took in on trade that only has the .22LR cylinder. I think I prefer the .22 WMR, though, and it seems to have slightly better cylinder fit.

I'll try to get the serial # tomorrow. Thanks for the responses so far!
Wes

 

[mnrivrat]

I have owned 4 of the scouts . I will say that the two I fired the most wore rather quickly and I was not all that happy with them. The alloy frames were soft. One I had was a nickle version which was better but I didn't shoot it much either.

I liked how they shot and handled and when Colt came out with the New Frontier and the Peacmaker versions I purchased a peacmaker (with both cylinders) . Now this was truely a nice gun. I would forget about the scout and find yourself a steel frame (case hardened) Peacemaker or New Frontier. You should be able to find them in that same price range and they are a much better gun. The Peacemaker had fixed sights and the NF sights were adjustable bu the way.

 

[BHPshooter]

Okay, I looked up the serial number. It ends in a "G" suffix, and the Blue Book of Gun Values says that it is one of the lightweight aluminum frames.

I don't know... I'm having second thoughts. I may just look around for another 1873 SAA type gun in .22 WMR, if one exists.

Wes

 

[moewadle]

1+ on Mnrivrat entry

I have the standard reference on these Colt 22s by Don Wilkerson. I suggest you buy a .22 Peacemaker or New Frontier because,like Mnrivrat told you they have a steel frame. The Frontier Scouts had aluminum alloy frames. The later of two frame alloys used was a better alloy but still not steel. If you do decide to buy this gun make sure it has a pinned barrel. In 1964 Colt started to pin the barrels to the frames because the barrels were working loose from the frame because the frame is alloy. So, if you buy a Scout buy a pinned barrel. If you buy it also make sure it says "22 Cal" on the barrel because if it says 22 LR it is only for .22 LR and cannot fire magnums. Contrary to what another posting said is should not necessarily have two cylinders. There were Scouts released with only a LR cylinder and only a Magnum cylinder. The idea of both cylinders being sold with a gun came a little later. For what it is worth I had a "Frontier Scout 62" 40 years ago, new, and it was stolen. I just got back into guns 9 months ago and wanted to replace it, so to speak. I read up on the these Colt .22s and realized a Peacemaker or New Frontier was a much better gun so I bought a Peacemaker. However, if you can get it for $300 I say that is pretty good price.

 

[moewadle]

To fumegator you may have a Peacemaker

if it has the G serial number. I have seen dealers call Peacemakers and New Frontiers "Frontier Scouts" and that is a mistake they make repeatedly on internet web sites. If it has a G serial number it should be a New Frontier or Peacemaker, I think, from checking the Wilkerson book. What does it say on the gun's barrel and tell me the whole serial number, or at least all of it except the two last number and make sure and give me the letter. I will check my book some more. But the book says, "Marty Huber, then head of the shipping room recorded the first G series revolver to arrive in the shipping room on November 11, 1970. This revolver {serial number G10089} was in .22LR with a 4 3/4" barrel. The new Peacemaker .22...........etc, etc." This is referring to the shipping room at Colt and is in the lead off page to the section on Peacemakers and New Frontiers. IMHO if it has a G serial number and is a Colt .22 SA revolver than it must be one of those two, not a Frontier Scout. If that is true and you can get it for 300 snap it up if the condition is there. There is one exception that might be true here. The book also says that almost 8000 G series revolvers were used in Colt's Commerative program in 1972, 1973, and 1977. I believe that means that G serial numbers were put on Commemorative Colt Frontier Scouts with the K series frame of Zamac or whatever it is correctly called. If you have question you need answered further let me know by PM or email or here. [email protected]. I also have the book on Colt Commems so can check that for you also...

 

[mnrivrat]

I just went through the list of Colt .22 SA's on Gunsamerica . Holly crap ! The prices just keep going to the moon .

Wasn't long ago a New Frontier or Peacemaker could be had for $250 - $300.

Now it looks like it will cost you around $450 and of course there are a lot of them listed that have gold or precious jewels hidden unter the grips - or at least there should be for the price being asked !

Good point mowwadle - not all Colt SA's .22's were produced with the magnum cylinder.

I was partial to the .22 Peacmaker myself - those adjustable sights just made it too modern for me ! Not only steel frame, but some mighty pretty case hardening .

 

[moewadle]

The .22 Colt Peacemaker

is the closest thing anyone can find in a .22 to the historic SAA. The grips, the sights, the CCH frame, etc are all authentic. This appeals to me because I like the history behind a fun. I, like Mnrivrat, bought the Peacemaker because the adjustable sight model looked too "modern." However, there was a 19th century SAA target model that has sights about like that. BTW, the gun is about 7/8 size of the full-size SAA but the grips are SAA size. The whole gun is steel except for the grip frame which is the Zamac alloy. I just got mine a couple months ago and love it. It is an heirloom gun IMHO. I bought it as LNIB with papers and I paid a bundle for it and that is fine.

 

[moewadle]

More Scout Information

that might be useful. The Colt company, at some early point in time, made the magnum barrels crowned and the LR barrels were flat surfaced at the muzzle with a chamfered edge. Also, at some point the magnum barrels say 22 magnum instead of 22 cal. The point may be obvious but I will explain that if the barrel on a Scout says 22 cal or 22 magnum it can fire both LR and magnum. But a barrel that says 22LR (and/or not crowned) do not try to fire magnum cartridges even if it is a used revolver with a magnum cylinder only. That latter does not sound like a likely scenario but when it comes to shooting safety one can't be too careful.

One more thing. The G series had serial numbers with a G prefix, not a G suffix as you stated. I cannot find anything in the book about a G suffix except that some of the Kansas commemoratives had a G suffix but they were completely gold plated so I am mystified. ???????????

 

[reddingshooter]

do also be aware that all colt frontiers were not produced and offered with a 22lr cylinder!....ive got a matched set fr sale thats strictly 22mag and marked as such

 

[CraigC]

The .22 Colt Peacemaker is the closest thing anyone can find in a .22 to the historic SAA. The grips, the sights, the CCH frame, etc are all authentic. This appeals to me because I like the history behind a fun. I, like Mnrivrat, bought the Peacemaker because the adjustable sight model looked too "modern." However, there was a 19th century SAA target model that has sights about like that. BTW, the gun is about 7/8 size of the full-size SAA but the grips are SAA size. The whole gun is steel except for the grip frame which is the Zamac alloy. I just got mine a couple months ago and love it. It is an heirloom gun IMHO. I bought it as LNIB with papers and I paid a bundle for it and that is fine.

This a 7yr old thread but there's a bit of misleading information in it (underlined).

There have been numerous full sized SAA's and replicas built in .22LR. Great Western SAA replicas along with the various incarnations of German-made SAA replicas have been offered in .22LR. Since this thread is dated 2006 and USFA 'may' not have been building their Plinker and the 12/22 definitely had not been introduced yet, I'll leave them out.

The modern adjustable sight models look nothing like the old Flat-top Target models and few would confuse the two.

The Frontier Scout, New Frontier .22 and Peacemaker .22 take completely different grip panels from the SAA.

IMHO, these are good guns and typically finished better than a Ruger but overall, I would not rate them as "better". Certainly not on par with their centerfire SAA brethren. I'd love to have a couple Frontier Scouts or Peacemaker .22's but refuse to pay a lofty collector premium for them.