Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Should I get Colt Frontier or Ruger Single-Six

Folks, I have been wanting a 22WMR/22LR convertible single-action for a while. I have narrowed it down to a Colt Frontier or a 1976 "Liberty" Ruger Single Six. I like the Colt grip better, since it's somewhat smaller. If I get one, it should be older, too. Ruger is nice and built like a proverbial brick house but carries a heavier weight penalty. I really only want a Ruger because I want to get one from 1976, the year I was born. I have a couple of other Ruger "Liberties" so I am kinda continuing the collection.

Can someone meaningfully contribute to this selection? Is one design better than the other? Will a typical Colt shoot better than a typical Ruger? Usability, collect-ability, pricing - all and any input is welcome.

I do plan to shoot the gun, not just look at it.

tough choice that Colt might be hard for me to pass up but I already have a 1972 Super Single Six and they are still making Single Sixes.

New Frontier. The ruger don't have the same pizzazz.....

I rarely comment here, but this time I will.

I have had both and I recommend the Ruger.

The frontier I had was sometime after the 6 inch barrel
came out and Colt had made them with .224 barrel rifling.
That is oversize for the 22 rimfire. I know, thats the 22
mag bore size, but the 22 rimfire shot lousy.
The only one I found that shot well in it was the 22 Yellow
jacket, of all things, but was exceptional. This was
probably due to the higher pressure to fit the bore better.

My Ruger 3 screw has done very well with many brands.
I think you will do better, overall, with the Ruger.
I really liked the Colt, but sold it.

Three screws are hard to beat. I have a 72 SSS also, 61 prefix

With the Colt, you get style.

With the Ruger, you get durability.

Both handguns are classics.

The choice is your's to make... (and live with).


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

And just how, pray tell, will the durability factor be different? And I don't mean by how many times you can throw it against a brick wall......

My experience with the two back about 1970 when I thought I would be a quick draw artist, was the Ruger held up to the abuse. I broke the pawl on the Colt and it got so loose that I traded it off. Still got the SSS though.

No, I didn't shoot my foot, but I came pretty close!

I have both, but I usually only see the Ruger when my brother has it out. He borrowed it about ten years ago.... The Colt's a nicer looking revolver. The Ruger may be a bit more durable but doesn't shoot any better. Six of one....

Never owned a Colt Frontier so can not speak to it, however I can vouch for the Ruger Single-Six. Owned one since the 1970's and it has been a joy for me and my family.

As the pakistanian down at the convenience store would say, "If you had a Colt, your joy would be beside yourself".....

The Colt will be more accurate.

I had a Colt New Frontier 22/22mag 7.5" barrel that I bought and loved like no other pistol. It was to this day, the most accurate rimfire pistol that I've shot. It was a thing of absolute beauty with its case hardened coloring. But I was young and foolish and was just getting in to the handguns and decided that I needed a .357 Mag Ruger. That got traded for a ......and then that got traded for a ......... can't remember.

I vowed to find another Colt and searched the gun shows every time I would attend one. They were either $900+ and beauties or beat to death with no bluing left. I gave up and acquired a Ruger Single Six New model stainless with both cylinders and 6.5" barrel. It is almost as accurate as the Colt but does not come close to the feel and balance of the Colt. It will have to do........for now.

The Colt with the 4 3/4 inch barrel .

Yep.

I had both a New Frontier (4 3/4" barrel) and a Ruger Super Single Six (6 1/2" barrel). Kept the Colt, sold the Ruger.

No regrets, but a Ruger Bisley Single Six is on my wish list.

...on this one there are no guaranties... I have had 5 Singles Six revolvers, four of which were convertible to .22 Magnum. The Single Six Hunter 7.5" and a Star marked stainless 4 5/8" both shot Long Rifle ammo very well. The others did not... .22 Magnums were always excellent.

I have two friends with Frontiers... Both have the short barrels.... One is just in Long Rifle and is not near as accurate as my Star marked stainless 4 5/8". The other has both barrels...a 6" (?) and the short end of the ejector rod... It shoots very well although it does shoot better with Magnums.

Another gun I was just thinking about...my best friend growing up bought what was probably an early 70s 6" Single Six...it shot Magnums like a rifle but pattered Long Rifles all over the place...

If anyone is looking for a REAL clean 6" Frontier (LR only)there is one at Hoffman's Gun Exchange in Newington, Ct...just saw it yesterday on my way home....at $299.00 I thought it was a good deal....

Bob

I have a Ruger 3 screw...but the Colt has the "cool factor."

Get the colt