Anybody else here own a FA 83 or 97 ? I bought myself for Christmas a Freedom Arms 97 Premier Grade in .357 with a 5 1/2" barrel .
Last weekend I finally got to shoot it . Now I'm hooked and want another, a model 83 Premier Grade in .44 .
Yea they're expensive but the build quality and workmanship is second to none . My smallest feeler gage is .0015 and it will not fit between the cylinder and the barrel . But even after a 100 rounds there wasn't any cylinder drag . Every part screams quality.American craftsmanship at it's finest .
Who else here loves these beautiful revolvers ?
Sorry but right now I have no way to post pics .

I want one badly in .41 mag. I hate that most you find for sale are .454. I have a .460 aready that can handle the heavy lifting.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

Someday I will have the Casull.....

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I used to be disgusted..

Yes. Buddy let me try his out. The quality of the gun is something you can feel.

As for the .454, like JM says... "That's about all the fun I want!"

I have an 83...in .454, 10-1/2"bbl...When you run your finger across the metal joints on this piece...You can't detect the joint unless you're eyes are on it.. I sent mine back for a trigger job (3#) and a .45 colt cylinder.. What an engineering and manufacturing masterpiece...Good luck on your hunt for a .44....
JIM....................

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SWCA # L-1911

A 500 Wyoming Express. Sweet!

Here it is with a S&W 686 3" as a reference. The Freedom Arms is a really small revolver for its power level. Just as it should be.


A friend demonstrating the recoil.


And another shooter.


Reloading components.

I've had a 5.5", fluted cylinder, .41 Magnum Model 97 for a year and a half now. I don't think you could build a finer pistol.

I had a .357 myself for a while. My experience:

*-Excellent build quality.
*-Mine did experience significant cylinder drag after shooting.
*-Heavy for a .357 compared to a Smith.
*-I was annoyed to have to pay an additional fee for a trigger job.
*-I had a small problem with the extractor but I don't remember what it was.
*-I wished it had a "click" adjustable rear sight instead of "drift" adjustable.
*-Could not be dry fired with out snap caps.

I sold it on GB after about 6 months.

Jeff

...than's why they're expensive ;-). Personally, I have no problem paying a lot of money for something that justifies it.

Spend the money...

Had/have? one in 454 - masterpiece. You have to watch where you put your hands so the sharp bits on the frame don't cut you when using full power loads, but as I remember, very forgiving accuracy wise: you think you've shot a poor group say at 50 yards (last shot it before 1997!), then you see this one hole group...

I'd like an FA .357, but aren't they still all 5 rounds per cylinder? Don't like that.

I had a Model 83 Premier Grade in .454 from about 1993 until last year. I carried it hog hunting a couple of times and then realized that hunting without ear protection and that loud of a gun would probably deafen me, and that hunting hogs on foot required one to be able to go without muffs or plugs.

Mine was an exceptional handgun, but basically became a safe queen and range novelty.

If I had bought one in .44 Mag or if I had had a .45 Colt cylinder fitted, I'd probably still have it. They are very nice hunting handguns.

Attached Images

FA454RS.jpg (246.5 KB, 29 views)

FA revolvers are a little bit like Custom 1911's or SIG X-5/X-6 autos. The workmanship and accuracy are so outstanding you simply can't have only ONE.

This is my M-97 in .44 Special. Good carry gun, very light at 35 ounces. Then again my 696 is about as heavy and SADLY I shoot a Smith revolver far better than any SAA design.

That said....I still would like to get a M-83 with a 6-7.5" barrel in either .44 mag or .41 mag. Would make for a fun LR steel handgun.

35 ounces is the same weight as my full size Kimber. I carry it, but light, it ain't!

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I used to be disgusted..

My model 97 holds 6 rounds .

Freedom Arms revolvers are second to none and I think your experience with them is not all that uncommon. Its unfortunate that many shooters first experience with these guns is with their flagship model, the Model 83 454 Casull (with factory ammo). While this is an incredible round designed with a specific purpose, and can use aux cylinders in the more mild mannered 45 Colt, it can be brutal. However, the standard calibers are infinitely more shootable and are capable of the same amazing accuracy.

I purchased a 44 Magnum last year and it is a wonderful package, well worth my money. I also have two other 454's that rarely get shot with full tilt loads.

As the OP Nick said, one of these guns in a mild mannered 357 is pure perfection!! And yes, the 357Mag, Model 97 is a SIX shot gun! Get that camera working and post a picture!

IC

I love all of my Freedom Arms guns but they invoke a totally different feeling than my custom single actions. A finely made tool to be appreciated for their quality and fit for sure. The 83f is a 41 Mag I ordered with a 5 1/2" barrel, micartas and the action job. Alan Harton did the bisley hammer spur when Bob Baker declined the request. The 97 327/32 Mag is one of my favorites in that it has a Hamilton Bowen two piece grip conversion done and the first set of one piece snakewood grips done by Roy Fishpaw. The last gun is a little 97 22LR that wears a 2X Leupold scope and should be a little tack driver. I just got it scoped up.

I have 2 of the Freeedom Arms Mini revolvers, one with a 1.2> barrel in 22 Mag, with a LR cylinder, and a 2 1/2" 22LR.
I have killed several snakes, including a coupe of big rattlers, with the 22 Mag with shotshells and also use it for head shot finishers on a few pigs.
I carry it quite a bit.

I also had a 6" 475 Linebaugh for a few years. I killed deer, pig, turkey and black bear with it. I used it in Africa for zebra baboons, and for a insurance shots on a couple of elephants.
It was an excellent revolver.

I have shot severl of them over the years.
Lately I have shot a Mod 97 in 45 Colt that belongs to a buddy. As a result I have ordered a 4 1/2" 44 Special, Mod 97 that will become my standard field carry handgun.

There is no doubt in my mind that the FA Revolvers are one of the finest handguns made on the planet.

I have talked to the owners of FA several times and they are Good People.

Visited the factory a couple years back on a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons. It's near the Idaho/Wyoming border. Good people work there.

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Sure you did

I am not much of a single action guy, but if I was sure would like one of these!

I did buy my 327 Federal Mag brass from them though

They use it to neck it down to a 22 cal proprietary cartridge

224-32FA

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the pdf on this screaming round!

FREEDOM ARMS INC

Here is Jeff to tell you all about it!

Freedom Arms Model 1997 .224-32 FA Revolver

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Still Running Against the Wind

I'm on the hunt for my second FA . I'm looking for a new M83 Premier Grade in .44 mag with a 6" barrel .
Anyone see one for sale give me a shout .

I bought a 7.5" premier grade with ebony stocks and a replaceable forcing cone back when they first came out.

I have the TSOB scope mount and a 2x Leupold for it.

Over a chrono, the 260g GCTC (bought the Lyman mould through FA) it shot an honest 1875fps - and that's the mild load.

We also detoured to the mothership on a road trip to Yellowstone. SWMBO stayed in the car, so I couldn't stay long, but I was glad I went!

A 44 Mag Model 83 would complement the 357 Model 97 nicely. The 44 Mag is a real soft shooter in the large frame Model 83 platform. It's incredibly versatile for the handloader as well. There's not much it can't handle.

IC

I have this little 97 in .41 Magnum, recoil can be a bit stout with full power loads. I assume it is a requirement to acquire a Model 83 too?



KO

Yep,need the big brother 83 to watch over the little brother 97 .

I have never seen one for sale as a used ot trade in. Seems like they need to be purchased new??

As I mention, I am not much into single action but I sure would snag one of these if I found one.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Anyone know of any FA forums ? I signed up for a membership at Graybeards but they never got back to me about activating my account .

Greybeard's site is ok to read through, but unfortunately there isn't much activity. Handgun Hunter has some information too but not a dedicated discussion forum.

IC

Can't go wrong with a Freedom Arms.
Here is a .454 Casull Premier Grade 7.5" barrel.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Take a look at the Handgun Hunting Forum on Accurate Reloading. A lot of those guys have FA revolvers.

There are a bunch of us FA owners on Lee Martins Single Action Forum.

Not a fan of SA's.
I have a nicely porportioned wife and don't need anything else to kick me around.
Now, I would consider a lesser caliber---but I can't consider a FA, it is just not worth the money to me.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD