Colt Challenger Second Series .22 LR 6" Barrel Semi-Automatic Pistol (1951)
Produced in 1951, this Colt Challenger is part of the Second Series run that followed the acclaimed Woodsman line. It features the longest available 6-inch barrel, carbon-steel construction, and the model-specific heel-style magazine catch. With only about 77,000 Challengers built, examples from the early 1950s remain desirable to collectors seeking an affordable yet authentic Colt rimfire pistol.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal surfaces display scattered scratches, areas of finish loss, and patches of light rust and pitting. Despite the exterior wear, the bore is clean and shiny with sharp rifling.
What’s Included
- One factory Colt 10-round steel magazine with pinned baseplate
The Second Series Challenger shares the Woodsman’s proven blowback, single-action design but was marketed as a budget-minded alternative. Its 6-inch barrel delivers a long sight radius for precise rimfire target work while retaining the pistol’s slim, well-balanced feel.
Colt paired a blued carbon-steel frame and slide with brown checkered Tenite grips bearing the Colt medallion. Vertical rear slide serrations aid manual cycling, and fixed blade front and rear notch sights keep the sight picture simple and snag-free.
Controls include a left-side thumb safety, an internal hammer, and the Challenger-exclusive heel-type magazine catch that locks the magazine securely at the rear of the frame. A magazine disconnect safety prevents firing when the magazine is removed.
Serial number 30309-C falls squarely within the 1951 production range, offering period correctness important to collectors interested in early post-war Colt rimfires.