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David LaPell
03-29-2012, 09:08 PM
It's been a while since I had another gun to call my own, and after many months on layaway I picked up this old timer. This one was on the bottom shelf at a gun shop for $325 so I snagged it. Not sure exactly what year it is, but it is a .45 Colt New Service that someone had a go on the finish with on the right side trying to clean it, but there are no pits anywhere on the gun, the action is butter smooth and the bore is like new. I am going to try and cast some 452424 bullets today when I load some up for it. As much as I love my N-frame Smith's, this thing is just massive and very well put together.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/NewService2.jpg
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/NewService1.jpg
Char-Gar
03-29-2012, 09:19 PM
It is an early one judging from the barrel taper. Any New Service in shooting condition is well worth what you paid for it and more.
gandydancer
03-29-2012, 09:22 PM
Looking good there David LaPell. you may want to check the bore and cylinder for bullet size. you just may have a true 454 bore in that revolver. 452 may rattle down the barrel. good score. Tom/GD
MtGun44
03-30-2012, 09:49 AM
Good deal for sure if the cyl timing is tight and bore is good. Yes, check the throat
and groove diams, there was a transition to .452 std from .454 std, but often Colts were
made to tighter groove diams, but by no means always. Measurement with a mic, not
caliper, is necessary to really know where you are.

Or just shoot it a while and see what the results are. If good, do nothing. If problematic,
then measurement and testing will be in order.

Bill
9.3X62AL
03-30-2012, 10:43 AM
That's a beauty, David!
Char-Gar
03-30-2012, 11:57 AM
While old Colt SAs in 45 Colt, are often found with .454 groove diamters, the vast majority of New Service models in 45 Colt, use the 45 ACP barrel specs of .452. That said, the cylinder throats are quite large and it will take a .454 bullet or better to get them to shoot well.
MT Gianni
03-30-2012, 10:50 PM
Nice find. Let us know how it shoots.
Mohillbilly
03-31-2012, 06:26 AM
Nice old Colt ! I have a 1909 that uses .454 with about 7.6 gr. of Unique . The 1917 / .45ACP may be smaller .
gnoahhh
03-31-2012, 01:52 PM
My favorite revolver of all time. You're in for a treat!
Char-Gar
03-31-2012, 02:32 PM
My favorite revolver of all time. You're in for a treat!

I started my centerfire sixgun shooting with a New Service in 45 Colt. It was a retired Rhode Island State Police pistol and I paid $45.00 for it in 1963. In the due course of time, I had three of them. I am down to one now.

I have a great fondness for that big old Colt sixgun.