New Frontier...

[rjm52]

Never owned one, never shot one and maybe one upon a time may have handled one...now I am wondering why.

Have been looking for another .41 Special project, this one on a New Frontier...just like the looks of the guns. In talking to Dixie a coupe of weeks ago apparently he has beaten to it as he bought a .357 and had it shipped directly to Harton to be made into a 4.75" .41 Special with a 2-dogs front ramp...

The biggest stumbling block has been price... Used to see a lot of NFs for sale cheaper that a fixed sight SAA...well under a grand. But in the last five years decent ones start at $1500 and work up. The closest lately was one I bid $1200 on that ended up going for $1350...

But a couple of weeks ago a nice shooter grade 5.5" .357 came up for sale on GunBroker at a $999.00 starting price...so I bid... Bluing was 95%+ but there was a little frecking on the case hardened frame...but for a shooter it was minor and I could live with it...apparently no one else could because no one else bid..and was able to pick it up from my dealer yesterday...

Turned out to be a 1964 Second Generation gun...I'm not even sure if the previous owner ever shot it...there is almost nothing above the flashgap and no marks on the recoil shield...the chambers and barrel were clean. Almost no turn line...Grips are 98%and numbered to the gun. Tiny bit of bluing loss at the left front of the barrel and a couple small marks on the ejector rod housing...that is about it... Hammer could use a little polishing... Lockup is almost like a Freedom Arms.. Trigger is a mite heavy but breaks clean.

Plan on shooting it as is for a while as is and would also like to see Dixie's gun when it come back...

One of these in .44 Special would be about everything one would need in a handgun...so my question is, why are they not as popular...the price is all I can think of. But to remake a Ruger into what this comes from the factory as would be a $1000+...

Your thoughts would be appreciated..Bob

[veeman]

Looks like a nice gun, congrats! Biggest hangup for me would be the caliber, but I like 45's.

[rjm52]

I bought it to be rebored which is why I needed a .357...

[rjm52]

In that picture above of the loadinggate...it looks like the hammer is discoloer...it is actually bright polished and reflecting the case hardened finish on the frame... Just the area around the spur is a little discolored...

[mart]

That's going to make a dandy 41 Special. I'm anxious to see the finished gun. Keep us posted.

[Encore64]

Beautiful gun, Congratulations on a great find.

I bought one a few years ago in 44 Special. I added a few cylinders to it. A second 44 Special and two 44-40s.

Whatever you do with it will be great...

[rjm52]

First thoughts are to have Jack Huntington do his rebore/rechamber job leaving the gun just like it is. He has done two guns for me already and they are both excellent shooters...

Then there is the custom barrel and cylinder route like Dixie is doing...which is why I would like to see what his gun looks like....would probably be a lot more money so we shall see...

[rjm52]

64...have to ask...why the extra cylinders... I can see "a" .44-40, or was there some other issue?

[Encore64]

Apr 4, 2020 10:45:44 GMT -5 rjm52 said:

64...have to ask...why the extra cylinders... I can see "a" .44-40, or was there some other issue?

No, I had bought a batch of Colt Cylinders when they shut the Custom Shop down.

Had nothing else to do with them...

[pacecars]

Nice. My next project when the Win 71, Shiloh .50-90, Steyr Mannlicher and S&W 16-4 are done will be a New Frontier in 10mm just because. Might have a .38-40 Cylinder too. Unless I change my mind because something else pretty pops up!

[bobwright]

Wow! Sorry I missed out on that, maybe not. But a .357 is lacking among my New Frontiers.

But your plans sure do go along with mine. Keep us posted!

Bob Wright

[mic214]

My “Grail gun” has always been a 5-1/2” NF in .44 Special. I was able to find one at a shop in Arizona a couple of years ago for $1100.00. Needless to say, I bought it in a heartbeat!



I had Doc Barranti make up a beautiful No. 5 belt holster for it:



It has been my constant companion for several deer and elk hunts and trips out to the ranch to check the fences…

[rjm52]

..well there you go mic...now you don't "have" to buy anything else...

ps...I like your old coil of barbwire...it remined me of the mile of four strand I had to roll up just like that when I refenced my place...

[jt]

I think the one & only reason the NF struggled to get foothold vs Ruger blackhawks is the price difference. Period.

I have Balckhawks & I have a custom flattop Colt as well, built much like the New Frontiers are. Personally I like the simplicity for field stripping & maintenance that the Colt design provides over Ruger, and the nimbler feel I get from my Colt too. A Ruger almost makes a guy feel like he's got a form of clunky hammer with him, where-as a Colt feels as though he's got a fine sidearm along instead. A bit of class if you will.

I do wish Colt would re-release the New Frontiers again. If I were to EVER place a custom shop order, directly to me, it surely be on a New Frontier. I'd take one of them in 41 or 44 special over any Ruger made, and over any additional Freedom Arms gun into my collection ever again either. The Colts the best cross between a Freedom 97 & a Ruger Blackhawk that there ever was. Has field-duty qualities & reliability in the elements like a Ruger does, but class and build-quality leaning towards Freedom Arms; without the uber-excessive tolerances that hinder those! My 97 is a problem unless every component is polished spotless and every cartridge the same.. foul the chambers and goodbye. Drives me crazy.

Dixie is gonna have a sweet sixgun in that New Frontier. No doubt about it.

[ddixie884]

Bob I was just about to bid on that gun when I checked the bid history and thought I recognized your handle. That is when I PMed you and asked if that wasn't you. Once I knew it was you I relayed that it was a 2nd Gen gun and waited to see if you won. You can't go wrong at that price and It will make a great base gun........