Banner image by Mike116

Banner image by Mike116

« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5   Go Down

Author Topic: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA  (Read 6360 times)

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« on: July 23, 2024, 10:17:37 AM »
I've been reading and talking with Captain Kirk about the 1878-1902 Frontier double action Colt. I had found an article in the 2024 winter addition of the magazine Gun's of the Old West. I had never seen this gun before and it intrigues me. I asked if there were any replica makers producing this gun. Captain Kirk says none that he was aware of. Mike Bellevue referred to the gun as a beast in his video. He was shooting his Frontier with a 7.5" barrel I believe and it is chambered in .45LC. He shot it in both SA and DA. The grouping was fairly decent in the SA but he stated that it was hitting the target higher than he was aiming. He then shot it in DA with a few rounds failing to fire. He referenced the main spring and the primers as the most likely reason for the misfires. He also had compensated for the high trajectory in the SA mode while shooting in the DA mode. The grouping was still fairly decent in DA mode. I did notice the recoil was very noticeable while shooting this gun. Gun Broker has several original 1878-1902's ranging from $1250-5000. Does anyone on the forum have any experience and or own one of these Colts that would mind sharing their experience?  Thanks
Logged

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2024, 05:54:38 AM »
This video isn't the best but I am posting it because the thing I notice the most about this gun is how large it appears to be? Never having seen one in person I have no idea how big the gun is.
Logged

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2024, 05:56:25 AM »
Here is a Bellevue video. He was at a range so the initial part of the video he is compteting with gunfire while trying to talk.

Logged

Offline Navy Six

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 380
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2024, 02:46:25 PM »
Zulch, I got to handle one with a 7 1/2" barrel a few years ago and I remember thinking it looked bigger than I was expecting. Purely subjective of course. In terms of any copies made, some years back US Patent Firearms(now defunct) was making a single action only version. I forget exactly what they were named (Omni-Potent?) by that company but I still see some come up for sale. A friend ordered one in nickel plated, 7 1/2" in 45 Colt but for some reason the order neve quite happened.
On the original Colts, many parts(barrel, ejector rod and housing, cylinder) were apparently interchangeable with Colt SAA's and some 1878's were cannibalized to repair 1st generation SAA's.
Logged
Only Blackpowder is interesting.
"I'm the richest man in the world. I have a good wife, a good dog and a good sixgun". Charles A "Skeeter" Skelton

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2024, 03:30:22 PM »
Quote from: Navy Six on July 25, 2024, 02:46:25 PM
Zulch, I got to handle one with a 7 1/2" barrel a few years ago and I remember thinking it looked bigger than I was expecting. Purely subjective of course. In terms of any copies made, some years back US Patent Firearms(now defunct) was making a single action only version. I forget exactly what they were named (Omni-Potent?) by that company but I still see some come up for sale. A friend ordered one in nickel plated, 7 1/2" in 45 Colt but for some reason the order neve quite happened.
On the original Colts, many parts(barrel, ejector rod and housing, cylinder) were apparently interchangeable with Colt SAA's and some 1878's were cannibalized to repair 1st generation SAA's.

Hey Navy Six. Thanks for that information. To be honest with you if they made a single action version of that gun I would consider buying it. I just really like the look of that gun. I will look around for more information on the defunct company to determine what exactly it was called. I will look up the Omni Potent that you mentioned as well. Thank you. I appreciate your post.
Logged

Offline Captainkirk

  • Administrator Extraordinaire and Part-Time Gunslinger
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9039
  • "Never said I didn't know how to use it" M.Quigley
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2024, 06:42:22 PM »
Great vids, Zulch! Although after watching them, I think I'd be looking for a different gun. JMHO. It certainly is a hefty hunk of iron!
Logged
"You gonna pull those pistols, or whistle Dixie?"

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2024, 05:40:06 AM »
thank you Cap. I don't know.  L@J  I'll most likely never find an affordable one anyway but I do LIKE IT!
Logged

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2024, 10:29:04 AM »
Navy Six, I did find the gun you were referring to. USFA Omni-Potent Shooter. VERY Nice looking gun. They are as pricey as some originals if you can even find one. Saw one on Rock Island but it was years ago when it sold for 2K plus dollars. It was heavily engraved. I don't really care for all the engraving and I'm sure that added to the selling price. I think these guns are just something I will have to admire from afar.
Logged

Offline G Dog

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1484
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2024, 06:44:55 PM »
Are the Colt Thunderer and Lightning type grips considered better for double action shooting than the standard SAA model trad grips?

Help me with my nomenclature here, boys.  What is that type of grip generally called?
« Last Edit: July 26, 2024, 07:07:43 PM by G Dog »
Logged
"Tolerance is the last virtue of a dying society."
                                                   --   Aristotle

Offline Shootemup

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 170
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2024, 01:01:42 PM »
Birds head
Logged

Offline G Dog

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1484
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2024, 01:43:01 PM »
Thank you, Shootemup.  I appreciate that.
Heard the term, knew the term, but I just could not recall it. I won’t forget again.

The beginning of wisdom is the ability to call things by their right names.
   Confucius
Logged
"Tolerance is the last virtue of a dying society."
                                                   --   Aristotle

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2024, 12:30:43 PM »
I was hoping 45Dragoon might chime in on this thread. I would like to know what he thinks about the DA Colt.
Logged

Offline Bishop Creek

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 527
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2024, 05:36:43 PM »
Zulch, Here's an original one on Gunbroker, it's a .38 Long Colt though and not in good shape.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1055411349
Logged
My biggest concern is that when I pass away, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them.

Offline Zulch

  • Global Moderator+
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3280
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2024, 06:01:47 PM »
Thank you BishopCreek. Very kind of you to post that. I really appreciate it very much. I will watch it👍👍
Logged

Offline 45 Dragoon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1032
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Colt 1878-1902 Frontier DA
« Reply #14 on: July 30, 2024, 06:30:34 PM »
Quote from: Zulch on July 30, 2024, 12:30:43 PM
I was hoping 45Dragoon might chime in on this thread. I would like to know what he thinks about the DA Colt.

   I was always told to STAY AWAY from um !!!!!  (7+"

Mike
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5   Go Up
« previous next »