Freedom Arms Model 97 & 83

Model29Lover

Model29Lover

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Some input on the bullet size limitations on 97, and how do you like it overall. Is it noticeably smaller when carried than 83? Was it worth the money? Anything, relevant or opinions would help!! Pics would be nice!

Thanks,
 
I have a friend with a couple Freedom Arms and I've shot them several times. They are very nice guns and lockup like a bank vault. Sorry I'm not able to help you with your questions though.
 
Have a M-97, 4 1/4" in .44 Spcl. LOVE it. They are light at 35 oz or a bit more.

So a 250 Keith slug at 900+ is snappy. VERY accurate like all the FA's.

These are built on a MUCH lighter frame than the 83's, which are tanks. With a slightly shorter cylinder too. There is a lot of info available all over the net on the FA's.

Greyebards Outdoors has a dedicated FA forum.

Current wait for a new one from FA is a year. Lots of them on GB and other sites it seems for sale.
 
I have had both. The 83 in .454 Casull with my cast 335 LFN bullets would put three into 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards with a warm load of H 110. It was set up with a 4X Leupold scope and was ported. It was moving them out at 1480 fps. It was the field grade model and was very well built. Also had a 97 in .45 Colt that was a good shooter. I didn't work with it as much as I did the 83. A dummy made up with 313 grain RCBS SWC would fit in the short cylinder. Mostly i shot 255 grain SWC bullets out of it. Also very well built gun as they all are. I never loaded the 454 down but it could be. Either one would be a fine gun for you to own and put to use. Hope this helps!
Jim
 


Was going to post this yesterday but was in Vegas at the Arms Show and couldn't get it done on the i phone.

Great little gun that will be one of THE last I would ever get rid of.

As far as OAL limitations. The OAL of the cylinder is 1.630" long. So one is limited a bit. I usually load a #429421 Keith slug ove3r 7.5 Gr of UNIQUE and a good crimp...and haven't had any issues with the slug jumping the crimp and locking the cyl rotation.

A great article on the M-97 by Brian Pearce in the Aug/Spt 2003 Handloader #224 on the M-97's.

FN in MT
 
Having had both the 83 in 41 Mag with a 5 1/2" barrel and a 97 dual cylinder 32 Mag/327 I decided to sell the 83 and hang on to the 97. The 97 is such a handy little gun and is much lighter and trimmer than the 83. The fact that the 8f3 only had 5 little 41 caliber holes meant it weighed even more than a 44 or a 454. This is the little 97 I have. It was sent to Hamilton Bowen for a two piece grip frame conversion then Roy Fishpaw fit a set of one piece snakewood grips.

The 83 41 mag I sent to Alan Harton and he did a bisley hammer spur for it and it was a wonder piece of engineering but just pretty heavy.
 
rbrbrb6 said:
Having had both the 83 in 41 Mag with a 5 1/2" barrel and a 97 dual cylinder 32 Mag/327 I decided to sell the 83 and hang on to the 97. The 97 is such a handy little gun and is much lighter and trimmer than the 83. The fact that the 8f3 only had 5 little 41 caliber holes meant it weighed even more than a 44 or a 454. This is the little 97 I have. It was sent to Hamilton Bowen for a two piece grip frame conversion then Roy Fishpaw fit a set of one piece snakewood grips.

The 83 41 mag I sent to Alan Harton and he did a bisley hammer spur for it and it was a wonder piece of engineering but just pretty heavy.
Click to expand...

Dimensionally (size and weight) how does the 2 models of FA compare to Ruger Blackhawks? I have both mid frame OM 357 and the larger OM 44. Or are they even larger like a Super Blackhawk or Blackhawk Maxi ?
 
FWIW, I have a Model 83 in their 654 Silhouette, and that revolver is incredible. Granted, it has a 10-1/2" barrel, but the one in 14" twist allowed me to shoot the NEI 411-275 in competition. I don't remember the load data, but cast of linotype, I got a chronographed velocity of 1800 fps out of that revolver, with no signs whatsoever of over-pressure, and hitting turkeys or rams was no issue at all with their ISGW silhouette sight.

I also have a 7-1/2" Model 83 in 454, but to be truthful, haven't worked with it much. I CAN state, however, that a hard cast 325-grain SWC in front of 25 grains of WC 820 is a stout handful if you leave the micarta grips on it!

If you want one, get one... they are a phenomenal revolver!
 
Thanks to all for the great info! I really appreciate it!!

My gun buying plans are on hold right now, cause I have been out of work for two weeks due to kidney stones. I had to have surgery today and hope to recover quickly so I cam get back to work! I really want a Freedom Arms revolver in 45 Colt, just not sure which model yet!
 
Thanks to all for the great info! I really appreciate it!!

My gun buying plans are on hold right now, cause I have been out of work for two weeks due to kidney stones. I had to have surgery today and hope to recover quickly so I can get back to work! I really want a Freedom Arms revolver in 45 Colt, just not sure which model yet!
 
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