Colt Frontier Scout F Series

The Colt Frontier Scout is a scaled-down, .22 caliber version of the legendary Colt Single Action Army revolver. Introduced in 1957, it was Colt’s answer to growing demand for an affordable, lightweight single-action revolver chambered in .22 Long Rifle. The Frontier Scout was built on a smaller frame than the full-size Peacemaker, with an alloy frame that kept the weight down to roughly 24 ounces. It retained the classic single-action mechanism – the hammer must be manually cocked for each shot – and featured a six-round cylinder, fixed sights, and the familiar plow-handle grip shape that defined the Single Action Army lineage.

The “F Series” designation refers to a specific production run within the Frontier Scout line. Over the course of its production from 1957 to 1971, Colt made several changes to the design, including transitioning from the original alloy frame to a steel “K” model variant. The F Series guns represent the earlier alloy-framed configuration and are identified by their serial number prefix. Some versions were offered with interchangeable .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders, giving shooters the flexibility to run either rimfire cartridge. The barrel was typically offered in 4.75-inch length, matching the proportions of its bigger Peacemaker sibling.

The Frontier Scout occupies an interesting place in Colt’s history as one of the company’s most commercially successful revolvers of the postwar era. It made the Colt single-action experience accessible to shooters who wanted an inexpensive plinker or a first revolver for younger shooters learning the fundamentals. The gun’s light recoil, classic lines, and the Colt name on the barrel made it a popular choice throughout the 1960s. Today, clean examples of the Frontier Scout are sought after by Colt collectors, particularly those with original boxes and documentation, and they remain enjoyable shooters for anyone who appreciates the ritual of thumbing back a hammer on a single-action wheelgun.