Colt New Frontier 44 Special in 4 3/4 inch

[hammer]

Came across a Colt New Frontier 44 Special with 4 3/4 barrel in a gun shop.

As all Taffin readers know, there was no such thing ever shipped from Colt.

But the modification looks pretty decent.

The gun shop is wanting double what it's worth.

Should one dare to listen to the sirene of temptation knowing their investment dollar is going the Madoff Way ?

Or should one keep looking for the elusive Lipsey Ruger 44 Special ?

.

[Frank V]

If they want double what it's worth without a factory letter, or a letter from the smith who did it, I'd pass. If you really want a 4-3/4" New Frontier in .44 Special ( who wouldn't?) I'd probably get one of the more common 7-1/2" & have a GOOD smith make it into a 4-3/4" Or you could look for a take off bbl & have it done to that. I think that's what I'd do. Frank

[zeus]

I would probably hold out for the Ruger myself. I mentioned in another post that you may want to PM Kings6 since he just picked up a new 4 5/8" before he drove to TX. If I know him, he will probably not keep it Its worth asking about anyway

[hammer]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Have PM'd Kings6.

.

[AxeHandle]

You need the Ruger but the Ruger will never replace the Colt void in your set... The 3rd gen 44s can be pretty reasonable... If a shooter 4 3/4 is what you want look for a deal on a 7.5 and have it cut ...

[sash]

Hell, if you're passing through Oklahoma, lemme know. I've got an extra Lipsey's short barrelled .44. That way, you can save your money for a reasonably priced Colt and send it to a smith you trust.

[CraigC]

I really couldn't see it as a competition between the two. All they share is a similar barrel length and chambering. However, there's no way I'd pay double what the Colt is worth. If what I wanted was a 4¾" New Frontier .44Spl (and I do!), I'd find a 7½" (quite common and sometimes reasonable) and have it shortened. Take the opportunity to have the action tuned and hammer case colored.

[dale53]

I'm not particularly a Colt fan so I admit that colors my attitude. However, I just took delivery on a Ruger Lipsey Special (5½" was my choice) and I think this is absolutely the "cat's meow". It is a DANDY!

Of course, I've only waited 50 years for this.

At any rate, I think you'll be quite happy with the Ruger Lipsey Special of you're a .44 Special fan.

Dale53

[targetshootr]

Last year I bought a factory 4 3/4" 44-40 NF barrel so there must be more out there.

[nobearsyet]

Iknow where there's a 44 Special Colt New Frontier fatory lettered as to it's 4 3/4" converion, PM me if you want contact info for the shop

[Boge Quinn]

PM sent - thanks, nobears!

[Madbo]

HAY HAMMER,
IS THIS COLT NEW FRONTIER A 2ND OR 3RD GENERATION SA ?

IF ITS A 2ND GENERATION WITH THE BARREL PROFESSIONALLY
CUT MIGHT BE WORTH A LOT OF BUCKS.
MB

[CraigC]

Barrels for 3rd generation Colt New Frontiers in anything shorter than 7½" are rare as hen's teeth. 2nd's being much more common but the wrong thread pitch.

[Boge Quinn]

Jul 8, 2009 11:28:58 GMT -5 nobearsyet said:

Iknow where there's a 44 Special Colt New Frontier fatory lettered as to it's 4 3/4" converion, PM me if you want contact info for the shop

Nobears, is that near you? I called the shop, and they say they have no short-barrel NFs.

[majorKAP]

Jul 8, 2009 7:38:13 GMT -5 sash said:

Hell, if you're passing through Oklahoma, lemme know. I've got an extra Lipsey's short barrelled .44. That way, you can save your money for a reasonably priced Colt and send it to a smith you trust.

If you still have that gun I could sure use it.