Latest Gun Purchase

[WildBillWJW]

While I posted my latest gun project earlier, it was not my actual latest gun purchase. My latest purchase, shown in accompanying pictures, was an early 2nd generation Colt SAA New frontier, with the short barrel. I have owned several longer barreled 357 NF's. But wanted to finish out my little NF trifecta collection with a 357 to go along with my 45 colt and 44-40, both 3rd gens. Problem is that while Colt made 500+ each of the two big bores with short barrels, they only recorded making 78 in 357. And many of these were used to create supper nice/accurate 44s. Needless to say I spent more than I wanted, but the gun showed up nicer than in the auction pictures. Pictured are said NF with oversized rams horn grips waiting for fitting, original grips, with and without its brothers. The brothers wear factory and Chesiak ivories. And they are, and have been, shooters. The small bore is currently the most accurate. Hope you enjoy.
WildBill

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I have a short barrel New Frontier in .44-40 with a .44 Special extra cylinder. It had a pretty gritty trigger until I sent it to Jim Martin…the premier SAA specialist in the country. Now it has a really schweet trigger.

If I remember correctly it's an early 1980s piece.

 

[WildBillWJW]

44-40 NFs

Snidely,
I too obtained my 44-40 short barrel with a fitted 44 special cylinder and ivory grips. The revolver shoots well with both cylinders…factory cowboy loads in the 44-40 and several reloads in 44 special. I was surprised that my hard cast reloads, diameter .430-431, shot well through a barrel that might Mike out at only .427. Std Unique charges with all.
Bill

 

[WildBillWJW]

Snidely,
Forgot, my 44-40 is an early 80's Colt as well. And all my SAA Colts have had action jobs, by a local smith and friend. The first few he did for me, along with my cost of a Wolf spring kit, plus some expert tuning/file work charged $25. He retired during the pandemic, and now I have no one for such work, locally. I actually had to insist on his taking $100 for his last job for me.
Bill