Well I've been without a handgun for a while now and I'm kicking myself for having off loaded a matched set of USFA 44 Specials a few years back. Being a stickler for Colts.. I'm looking at a current production Colt New Frontier in 44 Special and wondered what feed back there may be out there. I've had my share of Rugers and yes they are less expensive... much less expensive over here actually. I believe in the 70/80's the third generation run of Colt N/F. left a bit to be desired but Colt seem to have lifted their game in the last 10 years or so. Any comments ? ... I think I can take it ?
I've got a New Frontier 44 special with a 7.5 inch barrel. Think it's one of those 3rd generations from the 70's. But at any rate with 7.5 grs of unique , the Keith bullet ( like to buy the ones from Creeker rather than cast my own) sized at .430 that thing will shoot with any handgun I've ever owned or been around. I have head shot antelope with it at considerable distance, and one time while packin elk out got 3 blue grouse out of 4 shots.. ( actually got 4 but we could find enough of one of them that the shot missed it's head and went a bit low, to bring back to camp
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Yup I like my New Frontier.
Thanks Don. That's good to hear. The Colt agency over here pretty much kills Colt sales in any numbers.. as whatever you pay Stateside.. you can add 100 + % to over here. I'm usually a fan of 4 3/4" barrels on a Colt ( John Wayne tragic that I am ) but looking at 5 1/2" for this venture if it goes ahead. Trouble is though... it adds up to a return air fair to Montana next June.... now that's the hard bit ! Pretty impressed with the 44 Special as a cartridge.. ..but a low shot on a grouse.. I wouldnt imagine leaving a lot worth picking up. Head shooting...now thats pretty impressive
My favored barrel length is 5 1//2, but the 7 1/2 inch Colts always seem to balance better than the Rugers.
JB, have you looked at or thougt about any of the Cold Clones on the market these days? I have heard some good things about the new manufactured Pietta single actions. Don't have any first hand experience. I do have a Dakota I got from EMF many many years ago, a 7 1/2" 32-20 that shoots very well and have a Uberty 4 3/4 in 44-40 that looks very nice but still haven't gotten a good load worked up for.
Just some food for thought.
Sam
The biggest downside to the imports is the soft steel and lack of heat treat. The other deal is parts--
If you want a tank, go with Ruger.
I have been shooting my .44's in SASS for over 10 years now, and no issues.
You can also look at Freedom Arms.
LG
Thanks for the feed back guys. I've had some Uberti cattlemans before ..and even one of their copies of the S & W Russian. ... that is some elegant looking revolver. Didnt suit me for duelist at the time ..but it did have style points
. Gary ..I've shot a few Freedom Arms revolvers and they certainly are a work of art but I'm pretty keen to chase up a new Colt. It wont be worked too hard...so it doesnt have to be 'Ruger tough' but I was just wondering as to some real world feed back rather than a magazine test. I'll wait till my quote $$ comes back before I make a decision. Thanks again for the responses.
Gavin.
ps. ...never should have sold the USFA's ... big mistake. Another one
USFA's are no longer made and no parts support either--
Best of luck on find'n the Colt.
Gary
Thats a big shame about USFA... I was very impressed with my matched pair of 44's. Traditional/ first generation firing pins, Swiss watch timing on the action. They were their royal dome blued finish ..with colour cased hammers and Tru Ivory grips. Yessir...they were very well made guns. Probably the nicest finished Single Actions I've every handled. Sold to help pay for a Shiloh... so it wasnt all bad.
Well my search for a 44 Special New Frontier ..hasnt been too successful.. with them almost non existent over here..and if so..close to $3500+ aud. So I started looking at the Ruger flat tops that have been circulating. Original sized frame vs the larger Blackhawk frame, better.. or more Colt like balance with different grip frame also. Once again ..few and far between here. I appear to have locked down a 4 5/8" 44 special to bring back home from the U.S. ..but I don't look like getting there for another 14 months or more now. I did locate a flat top in .45 Colt down here and was going to put in an offer. Has anyone on the forum had experience with later model centre fire flat tops ? Not a Colt I know...but about a third of the price or less ..and our dollar isn't doing too well.
J.B.