Anyone know this revolver? Worth $79?

USAF385

USAF385

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I was browsing the selection of one of my favorite shops today and spotted this .22 revolver. I've been wanting a .22 revolver for ages now but somehow never got around to picking one up! Obviously they're cheap and fun to shoot.. and I have many many rounds of .22 lr already for my rifle.

Anyway... I don't know squat about the gun....

Stamped on the barrel is "MOD TEX 22 CAL L.R. FIE MIAMI FL."

"F.I.E. MIAMI FL." is also on the frame under the cylinder.

It's a six shot single action 6" barrel. Two cylinders are included: a .22 LR and one for .22 Mag... for $79 and it's in pretty good condition. The shop owner says it shoots very well and accurate. (no reason to doubt him)

Now.. last time I spent under $100 on a gun I ended up with a New England Firearms 12 gauge break action 3" single shot shotgun which I absolutely love.

My gut is saying... go for it, boy!

Any thoughts? I mean.. it's only $79...
 
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FIE, Firearms Import and Export. I've seen them sell on GB for around $100-$125, so $79 isn't bad.
 
Lower tier revolvers were imported by FIE - now out of business, for years. If you need parts, try Numrich. Probably has a zinc alloy frame. FIE sort of morphed into EAA in the way the the SNS makers/importers tend to change identity.

You might want to try Heritage arms. They make lower end, but functional, .22 revolvers here in the U.S. Shouldn't run more than 150, and will have a warranty.

Still, I'd spend 79 bucks for one of the FIE's with both cylinders assuming that it was functional.
 
I have seen them go for more without the extra cylinder, that's a good price. I agree it's probably a Schmidt, if you take off the left grip it probably has the name under the grip. FIE usually stamped their name on the bottom and it should say West Germany on the barrel along with W German proof marks.

They are what they are, inexpensive alloy frame and I wouldn't carry a round in the chamber nor would I dry fire them as one is dangerous and the other will peen the cylinder and prevent a round from being chambered.

Go for it.

Dan R
 
I saw one last week in a pawnshop in Scottsboro Alabama for $ 140.00. I would definately buy it for $ 79.00 !!! Good shooters, some states do not allow dealers to sell them because of the pot metal used.
 
Thanks for the input.

I'm thinking for that price, I'll head on back tomorrow AM and pick it up if it's still there....:cool:
 
FIE and RG were banned from sales in Illinois as the frames did not pass some consumer standard.
 
The design is very similar to that of the Heritage Mfg. Company.

Of course, the Heritage is made here currently in the US and parts are available for the current models.
 
Gutpile Charlie said:
I would steer clear. The one's I've seen were a POS. Save you pennies and buy a good gun. Don't waste money on crap.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Life's too short for cheap wine...and handguns. In a few months you'll likely ask yourself, "Why the hell did I buy this?" If you save a little and buy a Single-Six, you'll end-up happier down the line.
 
F.I.E. like a lot of importers didn't actualy MAKE anything. They contracted with various european mfg's to produce various types of guns for them. Some were pretty good quality, some were crap.

For $79 I'd "Pay my money, and take my chances." You can't lose much. And might be pleasently suprised.
 
Look at it this way. If you save the $79 and put it aside for a decent .22 handgun, you will not only eventually find a gun that is of better quality, but it will be $79 off the asking price before you even talk the seller down $25 !!! That's more than a hundred buckaroos off a well made gun like a Ruger MKII or a Colt Frontier Scout or a Bearcat or a .....:)


WG840
 
The FIE .380s were made by Tanfoglio in Italy, the same people that make the Witness series. EAA later imported those same guns. Those were supposed to be decent for the money at the time, though Tanfoglio had hiccups with quality control at times apparently.

Anyway, "pot metal" Saturday Night Specials often work well enough. The Henry .22s that many people are fond of actually have Zinc alloy receivers, yet aren't often derided.

Loaded with FMJ, the Lorcin that I traded some .45 ball for actually cycles fine. Those were the bottom of the barrel for SNS type guns, but in their heyday outsold most of the familiar "name brands".

The OP isn't talking about a carry gun, in that instance one ought buy the best that they can afford. It's a simple recreational item. In this case, one that costs only slightly more than a new PS3 title.
 
I'll have to give it another look. I haven't found any decent .22 revolvers around here. There are a lot of semi auto .22 handguns..... but I don't want a semi auto. Sigh....

Maybe I'll get him to drop a few bucks.... :)

For plinking I'm thinking it may be fine.
 
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