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Single action drool time :)

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:17 pm
by North Country Gal
Our outdoor shooting season is basically over, though we will come out of winter hibernation for some short sessions at the range when the weather moderates.

In the meantime, we've been our usual selves about moving more and more in the direction of revolvers, especially, single action revolvers. This week, we sold off a couple of semi-auto handguns and replaced them with a couple drool-worthy beauties. Yeah, that's us. The shooting world has gone nuts on bottom feeders and here we are headed in the other direction, back to revolvers. Once a cowgirl, always a cowgirl, I guess.

So, here are a couple truly beautiful single action revolvers. Both have color case frames and both have 7 1/2" barrels.

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On top is a 1976 vintage Colt New Frontier Buntline 22 LR, so named for its long 7 1/2" barrel. This vintage was nearing the last run of the Colt SA rimfire line, though Colt did offer a funky safety version for a few years in the 80s that went over like a lead balloon. This is NOT one of those. It's in mint condition and, of course, it has that excellent four click Colt action and exquisite trigger.

On the bottom is a brand new Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag, but not just any Super Blackhawk. This is one of a thousand produced with color case by Turnbull Custom, the premier color case folks that restore some of the priceless collectible single action revolvers and lever guns in the world. Not only is the color case superbly done, the metal to metal fit is as fine as any custom single action I've ever seen. As for the cheesy laminated grips, well, those will get replaced by something more worthy at some point.

Will do a range report at some point, though I've already done some test firing with the Colt and, of course, it's flawless. Oh, yeah, more single action beauties that a cowgirl or cowboy can love.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:32 pm
by Vaquero
NICE!!
Congrats, had a New Frontier some years ago, not the Buntline, but
I let my neighbor talk me out of it.

RP

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:44 pm
by JEBar
nice .... very nice indeed .... looking forward to your coming assessments

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:57 pm
by Mistered
On top is a 1976 vintage Colt New Frontier
Had the same year but in 6" barrel and
Like an idiot I traded it for something!
Come to think of it I traded it for another classic I also traded away later - a Ruger Mk II varmint in .223 with an 18" barrel and SS bolt.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:59 pm
by markiver54
Beautiful!!
I too love revolvers S/A or D/A....Dont't know why, just do.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 9:14 pm
by Mistered
Dont't know why, just do.
What's NOT to love!
Revolvers (SA & DA) are really the quintessential,
Cornerstone of handgun shooting.
Semi autos came along much later and really didn't start to gain a dedicated following until the 70's.
Hey I like my semis (all three of them) but my wheel guns get equal time!

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:29 am
by Mags
.
Congrats! Looking forward to the range report.
North Country Gal wrote:
Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:17 pm
... Will do a range report at some point, .... more single action beauties that a cowgirl or cowboy can love.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 8:04 am
by Top Dog
Northcountry,
Those are super nice. I tend to love the revolvers although I do have several of those new fangled "automagic" guns.
Something special about revolvers,especially the single action ones.

Be interested to hear about a range session.

Top Dog

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 10:44 am
by PT7
Joanie, can you post an up-close, clear photo of the Buntline grip? Would like to see what those carvings are. TIA
Really a very fine-looking revolver.
PT7
North Country Gal wrote:
Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:17 pm
On top is a 1976 vintage Colt New Frontier Buntline 22 LR

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 4:52 pm
by Steve51
Very Nice!

Love single action revolvers.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 4:59 pm
by North Country Gal
Thanks, folks. I have test shot the Colt in the backyard just to check for function and, as expected, shoots fine. This one has a very tight lockup and no cylinder endplay, so a fine example of a Colt NF 22.

As for the grips, here ya go. These are the standard factory hard rubber grips Colt put on the NF 22s. There may have been other grips, but these are the only ones I've ever seen. That Colt prancing pony can be a very expensive pony on the highly collectible Colts.

Image

Image

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:52 pm
by PT7
Always something new and 8-) to learn. I'm not familiar at all with Colts and their design using the pony. Did a quick google search and I found a "Colt" thread on the 1911Forum. The legend from where the contemporary story has come about is deep in long-ago history. Looks like there will be some interesting reads to dig for. Thanks for the up-close photo and pointing out the pony.

Here is that forum post:
The Colt pony is based on the legend of Alexander the Great's horse Bucephalus, or Bucephalas. Legend says that once in battle a warrior struck out at Alexander with a spear, Bucephalus grabbed the spear in his mouth and broke it between his hoofs saving Alexanders life. The bond between them was strong. Bucephalus was also credited with pulling spears out of his own body and breaking them in battle. With this horse all the great legends of horses fighting and dying to protect their riders begins.


PT7
North Country Gal wrote:
Wed Nov 27, 2019 4:59 pm
...Colt prancing pony...

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:57 pm
by markiver54
Very interesting!

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:07 pm
by Mistered
That Colt prancing pony
No prancing pony about it - this is officially known as the 'Rampant Colt' symbol.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:23 pm
by bandit1250
Back to the revolvers. Good for you and they are very nice ones to have. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:30 pm
by North Country Gal
Thank-you, all, and have a very nice Thanksgiving, too.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:13 pm
by RanchRoper
Beautiful guns.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 12:24 am
by Travlin
Those are beautiful revolvers. I had one just like it with the magnum cylinder. I never could warm up to it as I have two K-22's, one is a 1931 Outdoorsman. So I sold the Colt.

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 10:03 am
by runnin n gunnin
Very nice NCG, I agree with you and started moving back to wheel guns about 2 years ago. More disciplined shooting and a lot more fun !

Beautiful ad to the collection, enjoy!

Re: Single action drool time :)

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 10:37 am
by North Country Gal
Thanks, again, folks. Oh, we still have a few bottom feeders per our wonderful 1911s and a vintage Ruger Mark, but revolvers, both DA and SA, do the best job of handling all our handgun shooting needs. Simple as that. Mostly, the magazine guns just eat up our ammo, faster. :)