Colt "New Frontier" in .22LR/.22Mag?

[Monkeyleg]

Somebody asked a question I can't answer.

He's wondering if Colt made the New Frontier with a convertible cylinder that allowed the use of both .22LR and .22 magnum.

The book I have on SAA's doesn't even show that the New Frontier was chambered in anything smaller than .38 Special.

I talked to one of the guys at a local shop, and he said Colt made a model G on the New Frontier frame chambered for .22, but that Colt generally doesn't do "convertibles."

Does anyone have a definitive answer?

 

[dfariswheel]

Yes, but it's not the New Frontier you think it is.

Colt made an aluminum framed "New Frontier Scout" from 1958 to 1972.
Although most people call these the "Scout", the official Colt name was the "New Frontier Scout".

This was a reduced size single action which came with a .22LR and extra .22 Magnum cylinder.

From 1970 through the mid-1980's, Colt made several versions of the Scout with a color case hardened steel frame.

As I recall, these smaller SAA's were a 7/8 scale model of the full sized SAA, with a frame mounted firing pin.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Dfariswheel is definitely more of a Colt expert than I'll ever be, but it's my understanding that the "Scout's were all aluminum framed. The New Frontier .22/.22 mags were steel framed, and had casehardened frames, and the actions were somewhat different. The early 70's ones had the normal Colt-type feel, the later ones had a "safety" inside the frame that was exposed by opening the loading gate. The New Frontier .22's were sold with and without interchangeable cylinders, and in my opinion were absolutely great guns, much better than the 3 Ruger Single-Sixes I've owned and disposed of. Here's my New Frontier "Buntline" (that's what they called the one with 7 & 1/2" barrel), which came with a .22 lr & a .22 magnum cylinder. I did have the front sight changed to a patridge type.



You could also go to the Colt section of rimfirecentral.com, and do a search for more info.

 

[JB in SC]

There were several variations.

The Frontier Scout (alloy framed in blue, steel framed in nickel, IIRC) was only manufactured in 4.75" and 9.5" with fixed sights. There was a version called a Frontier Scout '62 in blue with Staglite stocks, but I don't recall seeing one other than in Colt's catalog. They were availabe with both cylinders as an option.

The Peacemaker 22 (fixed sights) and New Frontier 22 (adjustable sights) were offered in 4 3/8", 6", and 7.5" (Buntline) barrels. They, as noted, were the steel framed 7/8ths sized SAA replicas. Although I am probably wrong I don't recall them available with only one cylinder, all I ever saw had both cylinders. I owned several over the years, and still regret selling them. The New Frontier 22 was a fine single action with an excellent finish, far better than any Ruger SS.

 

[22-rimfire]

You see the New Frontier 22's both ways; with and without the extra cylinder. I have one "without" the 22 magnum cylinder. I believe it was a factory option, but there were runs with both cylinders provided with the gun from Colt as the only way you saw them at the retail store.

The late Don Wilkerson did a book "Colt Scouts Peacemakers and New Frontiers in .22 Caliber" that is excellent on the 22 single actions. If you like these guns, it is worth buying. I believe his wife still sells them at their web site.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Boy, ask and ye shall receive!

I told the person asking the question all of the above. I also said that, if he were to find a cylinder in .22 mag, he'd probably still have to have it hand-fitted.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[iluvG.R.I.T.S]

Guy in town has one for 400 bucks.Box and all

 

[kennedy]

just picked up frontier scout 1964 nevada commemorative, has 4.75 in barrell, has blued frame, barrel, and cylinder, grip frame is nickle or chrome, with fake pearl grips.

 

[Father Knows Best]

just picked up frontier scout 1964 nevada commemorative, has 4.75 in barrell, has blued frame, barrel, and cylinder, grip frame is nickle or chrome, with fake pearl grips.

If it's a Frontier Scout, the frame isn't blued -- it's painted. The cylinder and barrel and indeed blued, but the frame is aluminum alloy painted to match the blued steel parts.

I have both a Peacemaker 22 and a New Frontier (Steel frame) 22. Both have 6" barrels, and both came with dual cylinders (22LR and 22Mag). I agree with what others said above -- the Colt steel-frame rimfire single actions are fine revolvers. They are much better than the Ruger Single Six, anyway.

 

[kennedy]

I see what you mean by painted, there is a slight differance in color, thanks for the info

 

[mnrivrat]

Painted or anodized ? I always thought they were anodized .

Anyway, I owned several of the alloy frame scouts and they were not what you want. They developed looseness in the cylinder very rapidly in my experience.

When the Steel case hardened frame New Frontier & Peacemaker models came out I bought one , and that was a very nice gun indeed. Mine also came with both .22 LR & .22 mag cylinders.

 

[JoeHatley]

My very 1st handgun was a Colt New Frontier .22 convertable. Bought it new in 1974 for under $100. IIRC... it had a 6 1/2" barrel, and very nice case hardening.

I needed some money for motorcycle parts a couple of years later and sold it. Don't miss the bike, but I sure with I had that Colt back.

Joe