I have an opportunity to buy locally a 3rd Generation Colt New Frontier .44 Special 7 1/2" barrel. Its in about 95% condition with just a couple of small handling marks and does have the original box and paperwork. Although the box is a bit worn. Asking price is $1000.
I'm really on the bubble with this one. Been doing a little on-line research and the asking price seems to be $200-300 below what it should go for. Right or wrong? What do the folks here think it should sell for?
Here's the thing. On the one hand, I'm not really a SA kinda guy. But I have been thinking lately of trying one again. Particularly a Colt style SA. I'm also not a big fan of barrels over about 6" long. Anything longer feels a bit unwieldy to me.
On the other hand, it is a Colt and in one of my very favorite calibers, .44 Special.
Who knows, I may just fall in love with the thing. But, even if I don't, I'm thinking it could be a good investment. I could sit on it a few years and maybe resell at a tidy profit.
I'm afraid my knowledge of Colt Single Actions is quite limited. So I turn to the wealth of knowledge on this board.
If I buy, I need to act quickly or it may be gone.
So what say you wise forum members?
Buy or pass?

It sounds almost like mine, mines a we bit better that 95% but...



It seems as if there are lots of these around ANIB. When Colt said they werent going to make more people bought them and put them away.

I havent looked at pricing lately but they were around the 1K mark for a long time.

I bought a new 100% 3rd gen. 7 1/2" NF .44 Special with the correct box, though ratty, for $1,300 about 2 1/2 years ago. It's absolutely gorgeous! I've read where the 3rd gen. guns can have spotty QC. Mine is fine. Colt boxes rarely held up like a Ruger or S&W box.

It's your call. One thing's for certain, they aren't getting any cheaper!

I just bought two SAA`s in .45 LC and I paid more than that for each of them, but they were 2nd generations NRA Commemoratives in nice walnut cases. It seems the NF`s are not quite as desirable as the SAA`s do to the funny looking-to some folks- adjustable sights. $1000 for a 3rd gen seems a bit high due to their inconsistent quality. However they have been rare lately, Look it over very carefully and if you really like it buy it .

Its a fair price in today's world.

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Len

Price seems about right. I have maybe a dozen SAA. To me the charm of the SAA is in the handling and the history. The 7 1/2 inchers do naturally seem to point well (to me) but the shorter barrels have a better overall balance. I have 3 with the longer barrels: a Bisley, a 2 gen and a 3rd gen. I'd like a NF to round my "accumulation" out. But a "standard" SAA would be more representative.

As far as an investment, it appears to have been shot, so keep shooting it. I certainly wouldn't make it a safe queen.

They won't be making any more. But it's up to you.

Your assessment of the price is correct. It's a real good deal. Especially, for me, in that caliber.

If you don't buy it I would especially for that price. Who's got it?

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Quando omni flunkus moritati.

They actually came back out in 2011 not sure if they are still making them I assume it would be considered 4th generation?

The photo is of a 3rd generation Andy Horvath tuned and took a 357 cylinder making the chambers and throats correct, Nutmeg Sports did the one piece ivory grips

Attached Images

COLT.jpg (35.5 KB, 17 views)

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Len

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me (probably 15 to 20% below market right now). The New Frontiers have never commanded the same price levels as the Single Action Army revolvers, but I would expect that to change in the future as Colt collectors look toward filling those niches in their collections. Assuming a reasonable holding period you are not likely to get hurt at that price, and will probably do pretty well if you decide to sell.

Sounds like a fair but not great price. I had one and the action was ROUGH. Took a bit of tuning, but it turned out OK. It was accurate though.

Personally, I'd put another $400 into the kitty and buy a new made NF. The quality is much nicer I hear.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!