Colt New Frontier… You Colt purists hate it?

halfmoonclip said:
My sophmore/junior year roomie was a gun enthusiast before I got the bug. We're talking '67 or '68, and the gun press was excited about the New Frontier models at that time. They liked the adjustable sights.
Apparently, that sentiment didn't last, and Ruger wrapped up that market.
Moon
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did not get the new frontier. Didn’t like the sights
 
I had alway wanted a Colt New Frontier. I guess I am the odd man out on this. I own a couple of Colt SAAs and like them fine for exactly what they are. I also like the New Frontier for exactly what it is. I look at them as two different animals. To me the SAA is a shooting iron, do anything revolver. The New Frontier was Colt’s attempt to modernize the SAA. The adjustable sights make it a fine revolver for shooting that need to be more precise. It makes a fine revolver for woods carry and a backup to a rifle when hunting. Myself, l like the look of the sights. They both have a place. I bought this one at the very end of the last run Colt did. Had a set grips made for it to replace the sick looking grips that come on it. The New Frontier is a neat version of the SAA in it’s own right but it is not a replacement for the SAA or any better and neither are worse to the other. They both have a place. I would have to get pretty hungry to part with my SAAs or my one New Frontier. They are part of Colt’s history and this country’s history. They are equally beautiful in their own way. AC2B0B19-7E76-48D5-B359-BFE13254093E.jpeg 709DA8AB-438F-49E7-8F4F-60C81739CFCC.jpeg
 
I really like my New Frontier 22, I only have the mag cylinder and its great for dispatching raccoons around my chicken coop, I also have a peacemaker 22 with both cylinders, keep it loaded with 22 fed shot shells for rats
 
Gary W. Strange said:
I had alway wanted a Colt New Frontier. I guess I am the odd man out on this. I own a couple of Colt SAAs and like them fine for exactly what they are. I also like the New Frontier for exactly what it is. I look at them as two different animals. To me the SAA is a shooting iron, do anything revolver. The New Frontier was Colt’s attempt to modernize the SAA. The adjustable sights make it a fine revolver for shooting that need to be more precise. It makes a fine revolver for woods carry and a backup to a rifle when hunting. Myself, l like the look of the sights. They both have a place. I bought this one at the very end of the last run Colt did. Had a set grips made for it to replace the sick looking grips that come on it. The New Frontier is a neat version of the SAA in it’s own right but it is not a replacement for the SAA or any better and neither are worse to the other. They both have a place. I would have to get pretty hungry to part with my SAAs or my one New Frontier. They are part of Colt’s history and this country’s history. They are equally beautiful in their own way. View attachment 1180800View attachment 1180799
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I did like the New Frontier the my new tacticool shop had, and in .357 too. but I didn’t like the long barrel or price of $2,000. As a member said, the box and paper work added nothing to the value of the gun, maybe in 50 years… But I’m looking for a shooter.

then looking thur my records, my Old Honey Hole shop had a New Frontier 1st run 44-40 for $1600. So asking $2,000 for a flashy .357 7.5” Show gun didn’t make money sense to me.

blow, my old honey hole shop had this 44-40 for $1600

IMG_0030.jpeg
 
P89DCSS said:
Or a couple Ruger SAs. It's threads like this that keep me from blowing big $$ on a Colt SA.

If I wanted a four click SA, these days I'd go Italian.
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Shooters should have 1-2 real SAA and a handful of Italian Clones!

Collectors are a different breed with different needs
 
I dearly wanted a New Frontier, way back when...and in .44 Special too, just like Keith's but never ran across an example I could afford...and this was back in the 70's. Too, over the years, I've come around to really liking (read: preferring) Ruger's front sight set up...that little block with a short Boughman type post on it. The New Frontiers have that elongated sight that just isn't right...beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, so I understand some scolding on this point. That said, that Colt finish was first rate, and the color case hardening was terrific. Never having owned a center-fire however, I can't speak to their accuracy.

I do own a 7-1/2" SAA in .45 Colt that's wonderfully accurate with standard loads (`250 gr FPRN slugs backed with 8.5 gr of Unique). Mine is a 3rd gen gun with a good to excellent trigger, and glory be...throws those big ash cans right on top of the front sight post with my hold at 25 yds.

Thinking it'd be a good candidate for an add'l cylinder in .45 ACP, I found one at a local gun show, fitted it myself, and had an equally accurate sub load. With 230 gr LSWC or FMJ's, it prints ~3" lower at 25 yds than the bigger original military type 250's. Looking at it, it seems just right with that half moon front sight and no Eliason type adj. rear, but I was darned lucky to find one that shot to the sights.

Later, just a few years ago in fact, I found a .22 LR New Frontier with the add'l .22 Mag cylinder, languishing in our town pawn shop. I traded off a Sig P220 for it, well worn, and I had a shootable New Frontier. It's nice, prettier than the Ruger equivalent Single Six, even with that long sloping front sight blade, and the color case hardening is a knock-out. But I'll add that it's not as accurate with either cylinder as a number of Single Sixes we've had here.

Here are the pics, the 2nd saddled up with a Tom Threepersons holster I made up.....Best Regards, Rod



​
 
Rodfac said:
I dearly wanted a New Frontier, way back when...and in .44 Special too, just like Keith's but never ran across an example I could afford...and this was back in the 70's. Too, over the years, I've come around to really liking (read: preferring) Ruger's front sight set up...that little block with a short Boughman type post on it. The New Frontiers have that elongated sight that just isn't right...beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, so I understand some scolding on this point. That said, that Colt finish was first rate, and the color case hardening was terrific. Never having owned a center-fire however, I can't speak to their accuracy.

I do own a 7-1/2" SAA in .45 Colt that's wonderfully accurate with standard loads (`250 gr FPRN slugs backed with 8.5 gr of Unique). Mine is a 3rd gen gun with a good to excellent trigger, and glory be...throws those big ash cans right on top of the front sight post with my hold at 25 yds.

Thinking it'd be a good candidate for an add'l cylinder in .45 ACP, I found one at a local gun show, fitted it myself, and had an equally accurate sub load. With 230 gr LSWC or FMJ's, it prints ~3" lower at 25 yds than the bigger original military type 250's. Looking at it, it seems just right with that half moon front sight and no Eliason type adj. rear, but I was darned lucky to find one that shot to the sights.

Later, just a few years ago in fact, I found a .22 LR New Frontier with the add'l .22 Mag cylinder, languishing in our town pawn shop. I traded off a Sig P220 for it, well worn, and I had a shootable New Frontier. It's nice, prettier than the Ruger equivalent Single Six, even with that long sloping front sight blade, and the color case hardening is a knock-out. But I'll add that it's not as accurate with either cylinder as a number of Single Sixes we've had here.

Here are the pics, the 2nd saddled up with a Tom Threepersons holster I made up.....Best Regards, Rod



​
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They have lots of New Frontier .22 with the extra cylinder here is Seattle. And the commemorative ones are packaged nicely and unfired. They run in the $600-$800 range here, would be nice to own one eventually
 
I love the New Frontier and never understood why the collectors and purists dump on it. I guess it doesn't fit their Roy Rogers fantasies. I guess they also forget that Colt put adjustable sights on the SAA 130yrs ago.

IMG_9261b.jpg
 
CraigC said:
I love the New Frontier and never understood why the collectors and purists dump on it. I guess it doesn't fit their Roy Rogers fantasies. I guess they also forget that Colt put adjustable sights on the SAA 130yrs ago.

IMG_9261b.jpg
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I was about to mention that there were Target Colts, in the 19th Century, but see that you beat me to it, and have this beautiful image, to back it up.

If I recall correctly, USFA made some Target Single Actions, too, but so very few, and all USFA sixguns are now priced in the stratosphere, too.

I have no problem with Colt New Frontier sixguns, except that every time I have found one that was affordable, it had been badly abused. (I do not shop on-line, for firearms, so am limited to local availability.)
 
Rexster said:
I was about to mention that there were Target Colts, in the 19th Century, but see that you beat me to it, and have this beautiful image, to back it up.

If I recall correctly, USFA made some Target Single Actions, too, but so very few, and all USFA sixguns are now priced in the stratosphere, too.

I have no problem with Colt New Frontier sixguns, except that every time I have found one that was affordable, it had been badly abused. (I do not shop on-line, for firearms, so am limited to local availability.)
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I've wished and wished that I had ordered that .44Spl Bisley Flat-top Target when USFA was still in business. Now I have to build one off this .45Colt. ;)

IMG_0197b.jpg
 
I just had my NF .22LR down to screws and springs this morning. It was all gunked up and gritty. Ripped it all the way down and scrubbed everything. It looked like decades of WD40 and dust caked up in it. Slick and smooth now.

Hoppes #9 and light application of 0000 steel wool got all the gunk and here and there surface rust off.
 
EMC45 said:
I just had my NF .22LR down to screws and springs this morning. It was all gunked up and gritty. Ripped it all the way down and scrubbed everything. It looked like decades of WD40 and dust caked up in it. Slick and smooth now.

Hoppes #9 and light application of 0000 steel wool got all the gunk and here and there surface rust off.
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best feeling EVER
 
ontarget said:
They just remind me of a copy of a Ruger.
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The first moment when I saw this Colt NF, I taught that it is old 3 screw Ruger Flattop.

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A moment later I realized that screw heads are on left side.

IMO, this frame design is better, beefed up in rear sight area, to offset for sight cutout. And just looks nicer.

Colt-New-Frontier-22a.jpg
 
CraigC said:
I've wished and wished that I had ordered that .44Spl Bisley Flat-top Target when USFA was still in business. Now I have to build one off this .45Colt. ;)

IMG_0197b.jpg
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Just personal preference, but I would go Keith's path; put front grip strap/trigger guard from Colt SAA or one of the clones. IMO, that should be better grip.
 
Onty said:
Just personal preference, but I would go Keith's path; put front grip strap/trigger guard from Colt SAA or one of the clones. IMO, that should be better grip.
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The #5 effectively eliminates the room for the pinky finger. I've handled the Grover #5 and it ain't the grip for me. Keith was a little guy with small hands and that grip was probably a better fit for smaller hands. Much prefer the Bisley or 1860 on a Colt, or Ruger's Bisley on their guns.
 
CraigC said:
he #5 effectively eliminates the room for the pinky finger. I've handled the Grover #5 and it ain't the grip for me. Keith was a little guy with small hands and that grip was probably a better fit for smaller hands. Much prefer the Bisley or 1860 on a Colt, or Ruger's Bisley on their guns.
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Craig......How does the recoil impulse compare: Bisley vs. SAA or Ruger BH/Vaquero? I've never fired a Colt or Ruger's version of the Bisley, and wondered if the gun still rotated up and back in recoil...a motion much more comfortable in my hand than any DA revolver...this is with heavy loads where it makes a difference.

Just mimicking the grip angle...it seems to me that the SAA/Ruger BH leaves my wrist in a more or less 'neutral' position; whereas the Bisley requires the wrist cocked somewhat up to achieve the same barrel angle...tough to explain in words....Rod
 
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CraigC said:
The #5 effectively eliminates the room for the pinky finger. I've handled the Grover #5 and it ain't the grip for me. Keith was a little guy with small hands and that grip was probably a better fit for smaller hands. Much prefer the Bisley or 1860 on a Colt, or Ruger's Bisley on their guns.
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Grover #5 is so nice! I have no idea why I bought it… I just like the 6 gun story and this is a crazy part of it.

IMG_0032.jpeg
 
Rodfac said:
Craig......How does the recoil impulse compare: Bisley vs. SAA or Ruger BH/Vaquero? I've never fired a Colt or Ruger's version of the Bisley, and wondered if the gun still rotated up and back in recoil...a motion much more comfortable in my hand than any DA revolver...this is with heavy loads where it makes a difference.

Just mimicking the grip angle...it seems to me that the SAA/Ruger BH leaved my wrist in a more or less 'neutral' position; whereas the Bisley requires the wrist cocked somewhat up to achieve the same barrel angle...tough to explain in words....Rod
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You made the point. I have medium hands and was shooting friend's Groover No. 5 Improved. I don't know how close is that revolver to original Keith's No. 5, but Groover's revolver is on smallish side even for me. I wish it's half inch longer.

As for Ruger Bisley grip, you are right, for heavier recoiling rounds and longer shooting secession (silhouettes), IMO it wins hands down for most of the shooters. Even hefty 7.5" Redhawk will force shooter to stop before 7.5" Bisley does.
 
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