'New' Colt's Frontier Scout

[gcrank1]

I was kinda holding out for a Ruger Bearcat, a shooter with some wear, not a pristine collector piece, and one of my friends called and asked if Id maybe like his Colt's Frontier Scout that he had decided to sell. Yeah, its a Zamac 'P suffix' frame, barrel marked Frontier Scout '62 22cal., post '64 with the pinned (and crowned) barrel, 4 5/8" with a bit of wear, but shoots 'hardware store' grade 22LR ammo to the sights (such as they are) and fits right into my front or back dungaree pockets. Price was fair and I knew it was a shooter from playing with it before; so much better than a cat in bag gunshow piece.
Looks like Im just gonna have to suffer with it instead of getting a Bearcat, but all Ive seen of them the past couple of years have been too pricey anyway (never have had one, BTW, just thought it would be a nice 'stick in the pocket' gun).
So, whatdayathink; should I have waited for a Ruger?

[bulletstuffer]

No.  You did good.  Now you can wait for the Ruger


Hope the wait is not to long!


Bulletstuffer

[44 Man]

You have done well!  I owned one of those myself (also a shooter) and wish I had never sold it!  I have also lusted after a Bearcat!  But I finally found a 'shooter' condition one and at a very reasonable price at that.  After shooting it, I was a little dissapointed in it's performance.  And what really turned me off was it's size.  I always wanted one because it was small and handy, but there is a point where it gets to dimishing returns.  I have small hands and still I had trouble with the trigger guard.  I ended up selling it because of that problem.  I also learned that mildly arthritic hands have trouble loading .22's into those really small loading gates.  Now my favorite .22 single actions are both full size single actions and I love 'em! (an old Hy Hunter and an EAA Bounty Hunter, both 6 shots)  Keep that Colt and enjoy it!  How about a pic? 44 Man

[petemi]

My first handgun was a Frontier Scout.  I got in in '62 or '63 when I was in the Navy.  I was transferred overseas for three years and I sold it before I left.  I miss it.

Pete

[cwlongshot]

You have done just fine!!
 
I have two, a real MINTY, 22LR with a 3 digit SN and a shooter in 22M.  Great little guns! I have never wned a BC but I have shot a few, of those my Colt's shot better...
 
CW

[gcrank1]

Ah, a gun that hits were its lookin' and positive comments from people I respect!; what could be better!
FWIW, I did have one before, too, traded it off back in the early to mid '80s when I got into NRA indoor Bullseye. That one was never better than 'can' accurate, and POI a bit left of POA. I never really missed it, other than the size. I was surprised when I played with this one a few years ago that it was much more accurate; 50c to silver $ sized targets at 15-20yd. were flying off the rail regular, and just the other day, out at 50-60yds, it came mightly close to the 'field spots' I was aiming at (standing, one handed).
I too have wondered about that BC size. I had a S&W kit gun once, and I wouldnt notice it in a pocket, but I had to really bear-down to shoot it well.
Maybe I will get a chance to play with a BC sometime before laying down the cash; that will tell me a lot! Meanwhile I wont be ashamed to pull this one out at a 'friendly shootin' match and pop a few rounds  .

[greenrivers]

I bought one of the Bear Cats more than thirty years ago. I kept it for about 3-4 years and got rid of it. Not one that I have ever missed. Nicely built, but just a bit too small. The Colt I bought just after that still lives here. Hope to shoot it for another thirty, Lord willing.
 
 

[BUGEYE]

44 Man, I too have a EEA bounty hunter 22/22mag.  best trigger I've ever had on a revolver.

[gcrank1]

FWIW, a good friend recently lent me his Bearcat to try out, and it shot very well, windage was good and elev. was dependent upon the type of 22LR ammo. It fit my hand better than the old S&W 63 and was a more natural pointer for me. I guess Ol' Bill knew what he was doing by using that Remmy style grip on a small piece  ....... It didnt ride my back pocket as well as the Colt's FS, though fine in a front. I could see me getting one now if one shows at the right price, and the Colt's didnt seem to get jealous when they were side by side.
Meanwhile, the Scout and me get along just fine  .

[tacklebury]

Might want to watch classifieds in the Ruger Forum.  Seems like I see 1 or 2 per quarter sell there.  One sold last week for $400 with brass frame.  Nice little piece for that price. 

[Bigeasy]

You made a good choice.  The problem with any fixed sight handgun is sight regulation.  Finding one that shoots to POA with the load you use is important, and not always easly done.  Sights can be filed or replaced, barrels turned, etc., but it can become a hassle.  I was lucky with the Bearcat I own now (Shown with a Walther P-22) as it hits POA at 25 yards with most Hi Speed long rifle loads.  The Bearcat can be an accurate revolver, but can be hard to shoot because of its small size.
 
Larry

[gcrank1]

Big, in your hand I'd expect that Bearcat to look about like a NAA mini in mine! You are so right about it all  .

[tacklebury]

Really nice Bearcat just showed up on the Ruger Forum if any interested:

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=156122

[Ladobe]

Two OM Bearcats in the 60's, followed by the OM Super Bearcat since the early 70's rode in a back pocket 100% of the time (even though I have two holsters for them, one factory, one custom).    Still have the Super, still have the two holsters unused, but it just "belongs" in my back pocket.   One of the pluses of having a firearm so long that you've put countless rounds though it is you just know where it shoots, and the sights don't matter much.  At worst it takes a few shots with a new/unknown ammo to be right back in the groove with it.
 
The Colt New Frontier I bought new in the early 70's was a Bunline (7 1/2"), so was a holster thing.   Was great for tree squirrels, but the custom rig I had made for it was bulky and heavy.   I like the OM Super Bearcat and my OM Single Six 22MAG better, so it doesn't live with me anymore.