Colt New Frontier .22 Mag Opinions On Gun & Caliber?

[gilgsn]

Hello. So this gun is available at a reasonable price, and I am wondering if I should get it...
I am more of a big-bore guy and never owned a rimfire revolver.
What are the pros and cons of the .22 Mag in a handgun?
I could buy a Ruger Wrangler for less, but it's not a Colt. I don't even think I need a 22 handgun.
This one comes without the .22LR cylinder, seems in pretty good shape. Anything particular to consider?
Does it have any collectible value? Practical value?


Thanks!
Gil.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Hello. So this gun is available at a reasonable price, and I am wondering if I should get it...
I am more of a big-bore guy and never owned a rimfire revolver.
What are the pros and cons of the .22 Mag in a handgun?
I could buy a Ruger Wrangler for less, but it's not a Colt. I don't even think I need a 22 handgun.
This one comes without the .22LR cylinder, seems in pretty good shape. Anything particular to consider?
Does it have any collectible value? Practical value?

View attachment 1262855
Thanks!
Gil.

I got the exact same one. with the extra cylinder. Still trying to find ammo it likes. Not very accurate but fun to shoot. It does have 4-click. Paid too much for it, $550 I believe. Would I buy it again, neutral really.

 

[WestKentucky]

Depends on where the price is. I would think 300 to be fair, and that would be above my breaking point. I think at 250 I’m wishy washy. Less and I’m buying, more and I’m walking.

Practicality, not really. Kinda known for not being very accurate but it’s a Colt and it’s fun so it has some collectibility and some grim factor so if you like it then sure.

 

[gilgsn]

Well, price is $700 here in France, but that equals to $350 in the U.S.
Gil.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Ruger Wrangler for less,

Heck, the Wrangler is barely a Ruger and was only made to compete with the
Heritage (and other brands?) lower cost revolvers.

At 350 U.S. that pistol would not be in the shops long where I live.

Here is my N.F. that I've had for 50 years. Not a good photo I know, but then
very few of mine are.



Much of the c.c. is gone even though the pistol was carried in a full flap lined and fitted holster.
Mine has always been much more accurate with the magnum cylinder, and the Magnum hits stuff way harder than the .22 L.R.

Collectible and practical values don't always factor into my decisions.
Same for the word need.
The word want has usually sufficed for me.

Your photo shows a clean looking example, so best of luck in your decisions.
As a gun dealer friend once said to me while a I was debating a gun purchase,
Why hesitate! You've got the rest of your life to regret it.

JT

 

[Bullet Bob]

My favorite .22 handgun. Is this one of the later ones with the cross bolt safety? I don't care for that, and I would definitely want a .22 long rifle cylinder, Does it have the box? Here's a post on the Colt Forum by a guy who literally wrote the book on these guns. Start with post #3 for the type you're asking about.

colts-frontier-scouts-and-other-22-caliber-single-actions.154673

 

[gilgsn]

Is this one of the later ones with the cross bolt safety? I don't care for that, and I would definitely want a .22 long rifle cylinder, Does it have the box?

No idea, neither are mentioned in the ad..
Gil.

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

It's got a pony on it so good or bad it has a higher collector value. If your thinking about getting a rimfire revolver and a single action style just to have fun with. I would go with the wrangler. Or go super wrangler with both cylinders. My wrangler is very accurate and probably the most fun gun I own. I just love plinking around with it. I would buy my wrangler again and again.

 

[gilgsn]

I would go with the wrangler.

I just have a weakness for Colts.
Actually I need to save for the upcoming new Anaconda 4" .45...
Gil.

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Anaconda 4" .45...

Just seen that a few days ago. About messed my phone up with the drool. I'm hoping once they hit the shelf and the new wears off a bit the price will come down.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Well, price is $700 here in France, but that equals to $350 in the U.S.
Gil.

are you only allowed certain numbers of guns?

if so, I would pass and get a better gun. It looks good and cute, fun to 4-click it, but not a great shooter

 

[Mark_Mark]

I just have a weakness for Colts.
Actually I need to save for the upcoming new Anaconda 4" .45...
Gil.

my Old Colt Officer Match .22 is a really good shooter! I love Colt too

 

[gilgsn]

are you only allowed certain numbers of guns?

Hi, 12 handguns or semi-autos. Manual long guns are not limited, but they will interview you if you own 25 or more. Antiques and black powder replicas are not regulated...
Gil.

 

[CraigC]

They're good guns. I don't think they're on par with other Colt revolvers like its SAA equivalent, or even other Colt .22's like the Officer's Model. Unlike the early Frontier Scouts, the New Frontier has a steel frame and real case colors. The "Peacemaker .22" was the fixed sight version using a steel frame. I paid $500 for mine six months ago and would do so again.

Depends on where the price is. I would think 300 to be fair, and that would be above my breaking point. I think at 250 I’m wishy washy. Less and I’m buying, more and I’m walking.

Practicality, not really. Kinda known for not being very accurate but it’s a Colt and it’s fun so it has some collectibility and some grim factor so if you like it then sure.

I don't know where you're gonna get Colt's for $250. Old Model Single Sixes haven't been there in 20yrs.

 

[doubleh]

It looks good but the 22 mag caliber only makes me say no, but only maybe as its most likely you will never find another. 22 mag from a handgun results in a little more foot pounds of energy down range but most of the round's power goes is wasted on ear splitting muzzle blast and a large fire ball. Then there is the fact that you can buy 100 rounds of 22LR ammo for what 50 rounds of 22 mag costs. I am only familiar with US prices though.

My fairly new SIL at the time bought a Colt SA 22 when they were on the market and also a Winchester 9422 but a busted oilfield soon required him to sell them. He says he wishes he still had the Winchester but never mentions the Colt.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Hello. So this gun is available at a reasonable price, and I am wondering if I should get it...
I am more of a big-bore guy and never owned a rimfire revolver.
What are the pros and cons of the .22 Mag in a handgun?
I could buy a Ruger Wrangler for less, but it's not a Colt. I don't even think I need a 22 handgun.
This one comes without the .22LR cylinder, seems in pretty good shape. Anything particular to consider?
Does it have any collectible value? Practical value?

View attachment 1262855
Thanks!
Gil.

it dies have collector value because it COOL. But without the .22 LR cylinder, I would pass!

 

[LonesomePigeon]

Not having the .22 LR cylinder is a big drawback. I have a short barreled New Frontier with .22 LR and .22 Mag. I rarely shoot the magnums. The LR is super fun. I'm sure it's not as accurate as a Colt Officer's Model or a S&W K22 but it is accurate enough at the local range to hit the 2" plates at 15 yards and the 6" plate at 50 yards pretty much every time if I do my part. The case colors and the bluing are just as good as a 2nd or 3rd Gen SAA.

 

[Wildbillz]

Personal preference here. But the 22Mag would be the deal braker for me. If it was in LR? Yep. I only own one dedicated 22Mag gun and 4 boxes of ammo cost me all most as much as the gun.

WB

 

[Mark_Mark]

Not having the .22 LR cylinder is a big drawback. I have a short barreled New Frontier with .22 LR and .22 Mag. I rarely shoot the magnums. The LR is super fun. I'm sure it's not as accurate as a Colt Officer's Model or a S&W K22 but it is accurate enough at the local range to hit the 2" plates at 15 yards and the 6" plate at 50 yards pretty much every time if I do my part. The case colors and the bluing are just as good as a 2nd or 3rd Gen SAA.

View attachment 1262897

your right… I got spoiled with Officer Match and High Standards semi. It shoots a nice 2” -2.5” grouping off hand from 10-15 yards l.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Personal preference here. But the 22Mag would be the deal braker for me. If it was in LR? Yep. I only own one dedicated 22Mag gun and 4 boxes of ammo cost me all most as much as the gun.

WB

.22 mag is as much as 9mm

 

[WestKentucky]

I don't know where you're gonna get Colt's for $250. Old Model Single Sixes haven't been there in 20yrs

That was kinda my point. Wrong gun, wrong cylinder, only the 1 cylinder, but it’s still a Colt. If the only reason you’re looking at something is the name on the side then it had better be cheap. Adding on, there’s the fact that there are a ton of similar guns with a different name on the side that are just as nice for cheaper, and there are a lot better for the same or similar money, you end up in a “why’d I buy this stupid thing” spot.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I don't have this, but I do have a .22 revolver with both the LR and Magnum cylinders. It's a nice gun, shoots very well with either ammo.

Personally, not having the .22 LR cylinder for this would be a deal breaker for me. You should have both to give you the flexibility, especially given the price of .22 Mag ammo. However, if that's all you care to shoot, fine.

 

[Mark_Mark]

That was kinda my point. Wrong gun, wrong cylinder, only the 1 cylinder, but it’s still a Colt. If the only reason you’re looking at something is the name on the side then it had better be cheap. Adding on, there’s the fact that there are a ton of similar guns with a different name on the side that are just as nice for cheaper, and there are a lot better for the same or similar money, you end up in a “why’d I buy this stupid thing” spot.

and they can only have certain amount of guns in France… I would find something better. And that’s someone who owns that exact Colt .22 NF as the OP is inquiring about

 

[Boom Vang]

I'm a sucker for .22 WMR handguns. Even though it was designed as rifle cartridge with bullets to match, the ammo is 2-3x the price of .22 LR, needs a heavy FP strike to reliably fire in a handgun, and is loud... I still like them.

In a SA revolver, there is no need for a too-heavy double-action trigger mechanism for fire them. I always thought the Colt New Frontiers were a classy and attractive adjustable sight SA revolver. Given the slow loading and unloading of the SA revolver, the puny .22 LR never appealed to me in them - the brass is trash anyway, For all the extra work involved in using a SA revolver, I want a more significant round. The .22 WMR at least sounds like a step up. It has the power of a .22 LR rifle, in a compact handgun.

I'd be all over that!

 

[CraigC]

That was kinda my point. Wrong gun, wrong cylinder, only the 1 cylinder, but it’s still a Colt. If the only reason you’re looking at something is the name on the side then it had better be cheap. Adding on, there’s the fact that there are a ton of similar guns with a different name on the side that are just as nice for cheaper, and there are a lot better for the same or similar money, you end up in a “why’d I buy this stupid thing” spot.

When's the last time you priced a Single Six?