Colt New Service commentaries?

[aspen1964]

..starting from scratch with my gun collection..learned alot from trial and error as to what I like...sold off a couple of models after a break-in...first gun coming is a mint Colt 1903..now eye-balling a near mint Colt New service in 44 Winchester..any comments on the New Service as I have not shot one any Colt larger then than the 41 Colt frame yet...

 

[cowboy77845]

I collected them for 30 yrs. I like them. Colt's only large ftame DA revolver for years. Prefer the late models with the rounded cylinder latch. The "1989 Handguns" has a good article on New Service Colts and Bob Murphy wrote a good pamphlet " New Service Colt Revolvers" published in 1985. One of the problems I had was a real lack of information. It so hard to find them in great shape in this part of the country. Seems like the pristine ones stayed east. I saw a 357 Shooting Master advertised for over 3K last week. Guess they have gone up. Just remember that it is all about codition. Do not recall ever shooting them.

 

[Gordon]

A 44-40 Winchester one would be a good one, if in tight condition. All 44-40 ammo you can buy now is low pressure. They didn't make many 44-40 ones and it is somewhat a rarity, it was never used in public service either.

 

[Sam]

In my highly biased opinion they are the very best large frame revolver ever made in the USA, but I'm very biased .

My first handgun was a 1909 Model. I shot it a lot, and still do ocassionally but am saving it for grandchildren now.

Try it
You'll like it

Sam

 

[Onmilo]

I have a weakness for the very early guns with the stepped trigger guard and the fixed firing pins.
The .455s and .45 Colts are the best guns in this series in my opinion.

 

[aspen1964]

I too..am a big, big fan of the 45..whether 45 auto or 45 Colt..although now I am without a 45 handgun(my Colt 45 auto was stolen)...the reason I like this one is the price is decent(in an era of indecent collector prices) for a 98% condition New Service...my cream of the gun purchase would eventually be for a 2nd generation Colt SAA 45(early production)...but this 44 New Service is a beauty in pictures...seriously thinking of taking the layaway plunge for it...

 

[NORTEXED]

My N.S. in 45 LC with sambar stag grips

 

[Gordon]

Careful the New Service is not refinished. Make sure it 'carries up' in to cylinder lock when slowly cocked by the hammer. Then BUY a nice 44-40! Then you can buy a 44-40 SAA someday to go with it! (and a nice old 92 Winchester 44-40)

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In my highly biased opinion they are the very best large frame revolver ever made in the USA, but I'm very biased

And if Colt would start making them again (and keep the quality up) they'd clean up. I'd love to have a modern-made New Service with adjustable sights.

 

[cowboy77845]

The story is Colt left the moulds outside during most of WWll and they warped. Too expensive to retool or something. I thought that was really stupid when I first read it. One of the reasons Colt had no large frame DA revolver for 44, 45, and 44 Mag after the war.

 

[TonyT]

I really enjoy shooting, albeit infrequently, a mint new service in 44-40 with a 7.5 inch barrel.
When I was in New Jersey in the early 1950's the military New Service size frames were used to make 45 ACP revolvers for bullseye shooters. They were conversted to a slick short single action with an extended and somnetimes offset hammer spur and either sleeved barrels with a comp in front of the sight or a bull barrel with a comp. They were real fantastically accurate guns and great shooters before 1911's were accurized for bullseye competition.

 

[SnWnMe]

Had a ca 1920s New Service in 45LC. HUGE wheelgun. Typical Colt smooth and "stacky" action. Didn't shoot it much so I sold it.