New Colts............

B

Bob Wright

New member
I had made a trade with an out-of-town shooter for a 5 1/2" Colt New Frontier .44 Special, so had to have it sent to my gunsmith for FFL. It was due in yesterday, so to while away the time, I stumbled upon this 7 1/2" New Frontier in .44 Special also and slipped up and bought it. Two .44 Specials in one day!



This has doubled my .44 Special battery. Below, two Colts, a Ruger, and an Uberti/Cimarron:



Bob Wright
 
SaxonPig wrote:
That 3 screw been converted to 44 Special?
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Yes, it has. It was an old Three Screw .357 Magnum. I lucked upon it several years aback seeing an ad in our paper. Bought two of these, one a 6 1/2", for $200 a piece. Both had the factory conversion in place and I was able to round up the parts to put them back into original condition.

The Ruger is now my everyday carry gun.

Bob Wright
 
Bob,

Like that old Ruger but the new Colts are nice too. In your shoes I would find myself looking for a 4-3/4" New Frontier in 44 Special. Even with the Ruger I would be able to not look.

Dave
 
Now, that you have for "identical" revolvers, can you describe the difference while shooting them (action, feel, etc.)? Thanks.
 
AID_Admin asked:Now, that you have for "identical" revolvers, can you describe the difference while shooting them (action, feel, etc.)? Thanks.
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Well, I've yet to fire either of these two Colts, but based on my Rugers, I can tell you the difference between 4 3/4" and 7 1/2" barrels. The 4 3/4" barreled single action handles much more precisely and comes on target much quicker, this for up-close (25 yards or so) shooting. The 7 1/2" barrel takes a little longer to "settle down" and get on target. But the extra weight out front on a 7 1/2" gun dampens recoil much more than one would expect, while recoil with the shorter barrel can be just short of vicious. Also the 7 1/2" barrel provides a longer sight radius and is more precise for longer range shots.

And, the 7 1/2" barrel provides somewhat greater muzzle velocity with most powders (there are exceptions) so these attributes make the 7 1/2" barrel the better choice for hunting, at least for me.

As to the new Colts, the 5 1/2" gun has a lighter mainspring and cocks much easier. Both have trigger pulls that are heavy and have some creep. I'm going to "shoot them in" before I drop them off to my gunsmith, however.

Bob Wright
 
I keep coming back to look at the case colors on that new 5½"!
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I haven't handled any of the recent new and improved Colt SAA's or New Frontiers but I had to do a lot of work on the action of my earlier 3rd generation New Frontier to get it smooth. Also had Turnbull case color the hammer.
 
Dave T: Like that old Ruger but the new Colts are nice too. In your shoes I would find myself looking for a 4-3/4" New Frontier in 44 Special. Even with the Ruger I would be able to not look.
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Colt has stated that they will not make the .44 Special in 4 3/4" length. Why? Who knows.

Bob Wright
 
Looks great, all of them. Congrats. Do like that 5 1/2" one :) . I've yet to pick up a Colt other than a .22 Scout. Someday.... I hope. I just wish Ruger would offer a 'good' case colored finish. Adds a lot to a revolver IMHO....
 
Colt has stated that they will not make the .44 Special in 4 3/4" length. Why? Who knows.

Bob Wright
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Well dag nabbit, that's just not right (LOL). I'd say for you to look for one from back in the '60s but none of us can afford those beauties. (smile)

Congrats on what you do have.

Dave
 
I've enjoyed my very rare--to date--uncataloged 4th (removeable bushing'd late 3rd) Gen .44 Special (rare part - discrete chambering not an extra cylinder'd .44-40) - ca 2008. It's an outstanding piece.
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I've seen only a very few of these post-2003's in .44 Sp. Last I looked Colt hadn't yet chambered the fixed sight SAA in .44 - since the earlier 3rds, despite overall increased market ("expanded niche"?) interest including chambering the re-issued New Frontier.in it..
 
gak, do you have any idea what your chambers and bore measure. I fought my 3rd gen SAA for close to 30yrs because the throats measured .434 and the bore was .427. Finally gave up and rechambered to .45 C.
 
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