Colt New Frontier… You Colt purists hate it?

[CraigC]

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

I'll give you a good example. I got my 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk back in the mid 90's. As you probably know, the short barreled guns have the standard XR3-RED grip frame on them. The .44Mag was brutal with full loads and I could only stand to shoot maybe 50rds in a sitting. Same for shooting "Ruger only" loads in a friend's .45Colt Vaquero. After a couple years, I decided to convert it to a Bisley with the kit from Brownell's. I got the Hogue cowboy grips because they were cheap. I found out that they were nice and thick and perfectly rounded. After all the filing and sanding, I had the grip frame fitted well enough to shoot it. The first shots fired were a religious experience. It was actually comfortable and fun! It strikes a fine balance, distributing the recoil evenly between thrusting back into your palm and levering up as muzzle rise. It's not trying to wrench itself through your hand, it's easy for your grasp to roll with the grip frame. No pain. No discomfort. No hot spots. Pure pleasure. Sometime later I found out how much of a difference the Hogue grips made compared to the thin and poorly shaped factory grips.

The Colt pattern is different. It wants to naturally point the muzzle down, more so than the Ruger. It takes some getting used to but I find it comfortable with the Keith .44Spl load.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I'm not sure what a purist is, but I belong to the Colt Collectors Association, and own several Colt single-action and double-action revolvers. I think the New Frontier is the finest single-action ever made by Colt, and one of the best handguns ever made anywhere by anybody. Since its inception it has always retailed at a slightly higher price than the SAA.

 

[Dave T]

I don't hate the New Frontier...but I wouldn't buy one. I'm too much into 19th Century history for the NF to have any attraction.

Dave

 

[Mark_Mark]

I'm not sure what a purist is, but I belong to the Colt Collectors Association, and own several Colt single-action and double-action revolvers. I think the New Frontier is the finest single-action ever made by Colt, and one of the best handguns ever made anywhere by anybody. Since its inception it has always retailed at a slightly higher price than the SAA.

Oooh man… ooooh boy! I didn’t know they were that good. the cylinder gap did look even a small. I just didn’t like the $2,000 price or long barrel, since I already have 2 colt 7.5’s

I’ll wait for a shorter barrel in 45

 

[Rodfac]

CraigC: Thanks for the interesting reply....gotta admit that personally, the Bisleys have always struck me as awkward looking...and I'll readily admit that's a character flaw on my part because I'm first and foremost, a shooter; no matter what the piece looks like. In a phrase: I like quality (all right 'pretty') holsters but my guns must be ACCURATE. Your comments got me stirred up enough for a Bisley now....maybe one of those neat little Ruger Single Sixes in .32 H&R...time to start the search....you've no doubt cost me a pretty penny. Best regards, Rod

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

In his acceptance speech as the Democratic candidate for president at the Democratic National Convention in at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, John F Kennedy said:

"We stand today on the edge of a New Frontier—the frontier of the 1960s, the frontier of unknown opportunities and perils, the frontier of unfilled hopes and unfilled threats. ... The pioneers gave up their safety, their comfort, and sometimes their lives to build our new west. They were determined to make the new world strong and free - an example to the world. ... Some would say that those struggles are all over, that all the horizons have been explored, that all the battles have been won. That there is no longer an American frontier. ... And we stand today on the edge of a new frontier, the frontier of unknown opportunities and perils. ... Beyond that frontier are uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered problems of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus. ... I'm asking each of you to be pioneers towards that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age. ... Can we carry through in an age where we will witness not only new breakthroughs in weapons of destruction, but also a race for mastery of the sky and the rain, the ocean and the tides, the far side of space, and the inside of men's minds? ... All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world waits to see what we shall do. And we cannot fail that trust, and we cannot fail to try."

Most of Kennedy's programs fell under the heading of the New Frontier.

Colt honored this by introducing the New Frontier Single Action Army in 1961.

No, not all collectors look down their noses at the New Frontier. This one is a 2nd Gen, it left the factory in 1965. Chambered for 45 Colt. Because the New Frontier is not prized as highly by collectors as the standard Peacemaker, New Frontier revolvers are often less expensive than a regular SAA. I purchased this one for $900 in 2018. The grips are worn and do not fit perfectly, that is part of the reason for the low price.

Besides having three screws, it is easy to tell a New Frontier from a Ruger Blackhawk. Note the different configuration of the front sight and rear sight.





By the way, all New Frontiers have adjustable sights.

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

The front sights are ugly but I'd not hesitate to own one to shoot. I'd be seeing what I could hit at 75 and 100 yards with that!