I went into a local gun shop yesterday to check out what they had new. On the wall was a new 45 Colt carbine resting under a 45-70 Buffalo Classic.
The 45 carbine was VERY handi! It shouldered well and felt very good to me. I was very impressed. The fore-arm is the same style as the Buffalo Classic but it is about 3 inches shorter than the Buffalo Clasic fore-arm. I did not care for the sights, but that is a persoanl preference thing. I think a set of peep sights as used on the Buffalo Classic would be better. But that is easily changed.
The only thing that I did NOT like about the carbine, and this went for the Buffalo Classic as well, was the plastic trigger gaurd and fore-arm spacer. It is glaringly obvious on these rifles that these are plastic parts. On the Handi rifle, it is OK (although I prefer steel on those too), but on the "classic" series, they should definitely use steel for these parts or at least offer them as replacements as they did in the past (Do you hear us NEF?). The plastic parts on these rifles really stand out against the nice wood and color case hardened steel reciever. In spite of this one negative, I almost walked out the door with one. If it hadn't been for recent car work being done on my cars, I would have. I was very imprseed with the carbine. I hope they shoot well!
Price comparison: Buffalo Classic $368...Colt carbine $383. I am not sure why the carbine was more expensive than the BC.
Matt