Colt New Frontier purchase advice

[Shiftless]

i've wanted a New Frontier since I was a kid. I still do badly. I'm looking for one chambered in .44 Special. I've heard such mixed thoughts on the differences between gen II and gen III guns. I don't collect guns as safe queens I use them. Though I don't want a second rate Colt. I look at this gun as one (if you'll still be able to own them) my great grandchild would have. One noteable smith said all you need with Gen III guns is alittle tweaking and going over. That basically they are fine. Another that the finishes and build quality of gen III guns is significantly lower. I saw a Third generation .44 NF the other day with box for somewhere around $950 but held off due to the issues I had heard about. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I don't have an opinion one way or the other, but I did read an article by Mike Venturino once where he said that the 3rd generation SAA's almost always were more accurate than the 2nd generation ones.

I used to own a 3rd generation SAA in .357 that I bought NIB. It had a slight hitch in it's get-a-long at first, but after 100 shots it was smooth as could be. It was pretty, very accurate, and shot to point of aim, but I just don't like single-action centerfires, despite years of trying. Hands are very individualistic, and mine just like double actions.

 

[Joe45acp]

All I can tell you is if you find one you should buy it. It took me 3 years to find my 3rd gen 44 special NF (5 1/2" barrel). It had been shot quiet a bit but still in great mechanical shape. It is the most accurate 44 special that I have ever shot. I will never sell it. I am thinking about sending it to Eddie Janis and having him refinish it and maybe tweak it alittle or maybe not and just keep shooting it as is They are great, fun guns.

Joe