4597
.30 Stingray
Posts: 182 
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Post by 4597 on Jul 19, 2015 15:49:04 GMT -5
Not long ago I signed on as a member to this Great Site and I think that I could get some good feedback from it.
I'm not wanting to make anyone mad but I want to know which brand Revolver would be best for, Packen, Strength, Investment, Plinking. A New Frontier Colt or a Freedom Arms Mdl. 97 in 45 Colt.
When I say investment I don't plan on selling, as it will be handed to my son some day. I see some pretty wild price swings for the FA Revolvers where as the Colts remain pretty constant.
I have OM Rugers in 45 colt, .41 mag, .44 Spl. and love all of them. Its just that for as long as I can remember I have wanted a Colt. But as of late I have been thinking about a Freedom Arms. Please help me make up my mind.
I'm aware that the FA is a 5 shot, when I said strength I meant any weaknesses that either one is known for. I don't plan on a steady diet of Hot loads, I shoot a lot of 250 gr. 8 gr. Unique. |
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 19, 2015 15:53:58 GMT -5
Few guns can compare to the FA-97 in 45 Colt. It's as strong as a Ruger full size six shot, but lightweight and easy to carry. For investment I can't see where one has the advantage, but for use the FA hands down.
I am not sure where you saw the price swings on the FAs, but the 97s stay around $2000+.
They are worth every penny paid, but always pays to buy what you want.
I have a Colt SAA still in the box. Never been fired, never will be by me. I am a shooter only, not a collector. It's going on the sale list to make room.
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Post by seak89 on Jul 19, 2015 16:16:17 GMT -5
Much may depend on what the future owners of Colt do.If they start making SAA's at Ruger prices who knows what it will do on prices for older guns. The hand spring is the biggest problem for me and I have changed many in my time on Colts and clones.Todays new Winchester sells for more than the much collected pre-64
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Jul 19, 2015 16:20:09 GMT -5
No comparison.The Colt is nice to look at. The FA is superior for daily use. The Ruger is the best overall value for hard use. If you've "always wanted a Colt"' though, you probably won't be satisfied until you prove those statements for yourself.
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Post by jdpress on Jul 19, 2015 16:27:44 GMT -5
4597:
Welcome to the Single Action Forum and you have selected two excellent single actions for possible acquisition.
I have both revolvers and if I were forced to pick only one it probably would be the Colt SAA New Frontier. However, it would not be an easy decision. If I were forced to eliminate one of the two, quite frankly I would be happy with retaining either revolver.
Here is a quick comparison matrix - You could add other parameters to the comparison to help make the best decision for yourself.
Great to have you on board!
J.D. Press
Comparison Factor Colt SAA New Frontier Freedom Arms Model 97 Notes
Colt History Advantage The New Frontier does not quite carry the nostalga of the basic Colt SAA
Ease of Packing / Weight Lighter For a given barrel length the New Frontier is about 2 ounces lighter than the Colt
Ability to Use Hotter Loads Advantage You can use rounds that normally could be fired in a Ruger Blackhawk
Quality of Construction Equal Equal The Freedom Arms has the advantage for early 3rd Gen New Frontiers but now they are equal
Finish / Appearance Advantage This is a personal like but the blued & color case hardened Colt Finish beats stainless
Value Retention Advantage In the long run the Colt will probably retain more of the initial purchase price
Sights Equal Equal If you purchase the Freedom Arms with Adjustable Sights then it is equal to the Colt
Field Carrying Capacity 5 4 Slight advantage to the Colt but you can safely carry 5 in the Freedom Arms Model 97
Plinking Equal Equal Both are pure fun
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Post by AxeHandle on Jul 19, 2015 17:26:39 GMT -5
Nothing will scratch an itch for a Colt except a Colt. The only way out I see is "both." The only decision to make is which one will be first.
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4597
.30 Stingray
Posts: 182
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Post by 4597 on Jul 19, 2015 18:19:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick reply . They are pretty much of what I expected, and I would welcome any more on the subject.
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Post by bigbores on Jul 19, 2015 19:32:13 GMT -5
When looking for a good deal, the 83s seems to come up all the time but finding a deal on a 97 takes some luck...If you want a model 97 pick it up as soon as you find one the way you want- they seem to hold there value pretty good.
I traded one of my Reeder built 500Linebaugh's for a loaded up 97 and I'm glad it did, great little packing gun, just wish I could shoot it as good as I shoot my 83s.
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Post by whitworth on Jul 20, 2015 8:10:14 GMT -5
Love Colts, but if new revolvers are on the menu, I would lean heavily towards the Model 97. The New Frontier I had was disappointing as the chambers were WAY oversized and it shot patterns instead of groups. Plus, the 97 will handle a much hotter load. If only the FA could be had in carbon steel.......
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,501
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Post by steve on Jul 20, 2015 9:05:41 GMT -5
If only the FA could be had in carbon steel....... Now you're talking!! A blue/cch FA with fancy walnut grips......I'd be first in line! |
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princeout
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 2,001
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Post by princeout on Jul 20, 2015 9:10:21 GMT -5
If only the FA could be had in carbon steel....... Now you're talking!! A blue/cch FA with fancy walnut grips......I'd be first in line! And I'd be second in line! Maybe someday.... Tim |
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 1,770
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Post by Aggie01 on Jul 20, 2015 9:15:53 GMT -5
I have a FA 97 in 45 Colt/ 45 Schofield (rechambered .45 ACP cylinder)
I just traded a FA 83 & Ruger .44 Special for a 97 in .44 Special.
As far as Colts, I have my flattop target bisley and a new frontier slated to become a #5. (both in .44 SPL)
I also have a $1500 uberti 4" FTT I had Alan Harton put together for me, also in .44 SPL
The 97 grip frame will handle recoil better than the SAA- style, but if you are staying around 1K fps loads, there is definitely something that suits about the SAA grip frame.
My 4" 44 SPL Uberti weighs 39 oz, and my 4.25" .45 97 weighs in at 38.
3rd gen NF are of hit or miss quality. The backstrap on mine is buffed nearly through to one of the screw counterbores.
A model 97 is the pinnacle of quality, no matter when in the last 18 years it was made.
That being said, Harton tuned the action on my FTT 's (both Colt & Uberti) and even though he also tuned the 97 (and did an excellent job), the Colt/Uberti actions are slicker and smoother.
The 97 Adjustable sight version has superior sights compared to a stock New Frontier. A Bowen front sight and a Kensight Elliason rear will put your New frontier on top in the sight department, in my opinion.
(if the NF, buy a long barrel and have it dialed back to put on a new front sight - my 3rd gen NF is so overbuffed around the front sight that the last 2 inches of barrel are unsalvageable)
One of my go-to loads of a 255 cast SWC won't fit in my 97 with 45 colt brass. The 97 has a good .100 less allowed OAL than my Colts/Ubertis.
If you already have a mold you like in the .45 you need to know the absolute max OAL in a 97 is 1.63".
Don't let any feelings about the 83 cloud your judgement on the 97 - they have significantly different handling characteristics.
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Post by CraigC on Jul 20, 2015 17:16:05 GMT -5
I also have a $1500 uberti 4" FTT I had Alan Harton put together for me, also in .44 SPL Hey, where's the pics of that thing? I've thought about getting one of the .44-40 FT's and doing some messin' with it. |
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 1,770
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Post by Aggie01 on Jul 20, 2015 18:20:20 GMT -5
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FA / Colt
Jul 20, 2015 20:18:33 GMT -5
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Post by jeffer on Jul 20, 2015 20:18:33 GMT -5
Never had a colt but my 97 is the ultimate packin pistol Shoots true and hammers home a 250 xtp with wicked authority.
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