Colt New Frontier .22LR

[Belgian686]

Hi,

One of my local gun shops is selling a Colt New Frontier .22, for about the equivalent of 250 $. The add says the gun is in good shape, and the shop is trustworthy (I will handle the gun if I buy before committing of course). Is this an interesting deal, for the quality of the gun ? I like it because it’s a Colt, but does it also need a qualified gunsmith to keep it in perfect shooting shape ? I presume less than a centrefire, as this is only a .22. It has no .22 Magnum cylinder, but in fact I don’t want one, I prefer to keep it .22 LR only.

Is this a good deal, or should I better buy one of the new Ruger Single Ten ? Is that a better gun ? Below is a picture of the actual gun for sale.

Thanks for all your comments – B686

 

[pawncop]

The New Frontier was an entry level single action revolver. They are well made but nothing spectacular.

I had one many years ago, it shot well I seem to recall the magnum cylinder shot a little better but nothing to write home about

I had no issues with timing.

The Ruger is a quality firearm as well.

What is more important to you, the nostalgia of a Colt, or the capacity of the Ruger?

Remember, the joy is in the quest.

 

[scooter123]

At that price it's a real bargain even with the plastic grips typically provided by Colt. Here in the central US that would be a revolver with a 600 dollars price at most dealers.

Potential issues.

Mainly Safety due to this not featuring a hammer block of any type for the round under the hammer. So, it's a revolver that should be loaded with 5 rounds using the the load one, skip one, load 4 scheme so that the empty chamber is under the hammer at the end. Note, when doing this with a Colt it's important to fully cock the hammer before letting it down on the empty chamber. You also have to put the hammer at half cock to manipulate the cylinder for loading/unloading/ejecting empties.

The second issue is the 22LR is distinctly dirty shooting and as a result the center pin for the cylinder can get crudded up pretty badly. When this happens you may ALMOST need to use a pair of pliers to get the center pin free. Please resist that urge to scar up the center pin with pliers and if using them it is essential pad the jaws with a scrap of old leather from a worn out belt or wallet. To avoid the need for pliers I would suggest limiting the rounds fired to just 50 before removing the cylinder and cleaning it and the center pin and don't be afraid to use a small caliber bore brush to scrub the hole in the frame and cylinder for the center pin. Because it's been many years since I've handled a New Fontier I cannot remember what size bore brush works but a vague memory is that it's a 22 caliber brush.

PS; I really regret letting that New Frontier go, cheap imitation stag grips and all because it was quite fun to shoot AND an actual Single Action Colt with all those quirks in place.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I like mine better than any other .22 revolver I own. Had it for many years, no problems.

 

[CajunBass]

I've owned both. I prefer the Colt. No real reason other than it's a Colt and you don't see them every day, where Rugers are a dime a dozen.

For $250.00 I'd be on it so fast their head would spin.

 

[ACP230]

I have one. It has a larger cylinder gap than I expected but shoots
very accurately. It is one of the later models with the push button
safety. Like the retro black rubber grips.

Mine is a .22 LR only gun. I don't think the .22 Mag cylinder was an
option when I bought it.

Have sometimes thought about selling this gun but haven't been able to
do so. I take it out and shoot it when thinking about moving it and then
it shoots so well I change my mind.

I have seen them priced higher than $250.

 

[desi2358]

I've owned a couple of the New Frontier 22's, still have one. Nice shooting western style revolver with a decent set of adjustable sights. Never had any problems with mine, never had an issue with the cylinder pin sticking as mentioned by a previous poster (parts tolerance issue?). Basic maintenance is simple and I love the classic design.

Don't know how gun prices compare in Europe but that would be a steal here in the US. I rarely see anyone asking less than $400 for one around here anymore, most want more.

 

[dmar]

That's a great price for that Colt. I've got a real nice one in the box, and I would value it around $600. I don't see many of them for sale, and fewer that are in real nice shape.

My NF is the Buntline, long barrel model, and just has the .22lr cylinder. I haven't shot it much, but it shoots great, and have never had an issue with the take-down pin sticking...

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the one you are looking at, especially of that price.

 

[Camster]

Good guns,and also good looking.That gun would be twice that price for sure here in the US.
Trouble free,which is good,as the parts situation is not very good.
I had one.The only thing that I didn't like about it was the alloy back strap.

 

[H Richard]

I had a Frontier Scout, nearly the same with fixed sights. This was in 1970, I think I paid $90 for it. Maybe it was me, but I couldn't hit a barn from inside with it. I traded it for a S&W K22 and have liked Smith's ever since.

 

[Belgian686]

Wow .

Thanks for the many reactions. It seems I am not the only one with nostalgy for a good old Colt.

I expected the price range to be good. This is really the kind of prices you see in Europe : I bought a S&W 64-5 for about 60$, and sometimes we see things at prices just a 100 $ under the price for new. Usually, I pass at high prices and take at the low ones. BTW, the 64-5 is not going anywhere for 60$ x 10, it's really a 'big fun' gun. I see a lot a very good used stuff here, but unfortunately, the 8 to 12 month wait time for the permit discourages me to buy.

Have a nice (rest of the weekend) and thanks again for the responses.

B686

 

[Belgian686]

...
It is one of the later models with the push button
safety.
...

I never even thought that this kind of revolvers had a 'push button' safety. Where is this button on the gun ?

Thanks - B686