The BFR Ruined!

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ArchAngelCD

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It was bound to happen. Kahr Arms bought Magnum Research and then raked over the BFR line of revolvers.

First, the raised the MSRP to over $1,300, hate that!
Then they removed the wooden grips and put something white on them.
They also stopped making some of the chamberings they were selling. Hate that too!

It always happens, a good company gets bought out and then they "fix" it. If it was so bad why did they buy it in the first place?

Then there is the buyout of Cabela's by Bass Pro Shop but that's another rant.
 
Has it been discontinued? Shame, I liked the idea and was mulling over a small frame one myself.

Oh well, guess I'll just have to look at FA.
 
Well yes the msrp is more and they put micarta grips on them. But that's doesn't mean they're any worse than before, or going down hill. As for offerings I think they added a bunch and features now. Check this out , they released it not to long ago, it's pretty neat. It lets you make the revolver exactly how you want it, extra cylinders, custom barrel lengths, certain parts case hardened etc.. only thing they don't offer is wood grips lol.

https://www.custombfrrevolver.com/custom-bfr-revolver/configure/8/
 
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It's available in 475 wildey?!?! Was it available in that before?
 
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What chamberings were dropped?

When did BFR's ever have wood grips? I don't recall any. They now have micarta as an option but historically were nothing but that rubber Pachmayr crap.

Kahr has done nothing but improve the BFR lineup and even has a custom shop. The guns are nearly as precisely built as a Freedom Arms but are a fraction of the price.
 
Lol how many times has magnum research changed hands in the last 25 years?

I've only heard good things about Kahr. I have a Kahr framed NAA guardian that's very nicely made.
 
Ah actually there are more chamberings available now than ever and they are the only production revolver manufacturer to EVER offer a .500 Linebaugh. I cannot recall them ever offering wooden grips but I might be wrong, but Micarta has been a staple for a long time. They have made more improvements over the years than any other producer that I know of and their new Bisley grip is the absolute best thing out there when recoil climbs. Plus, Jim Tertin, the guy who designed the BFR in its current iteration (post D-Max) is still there leading the division.

I have a bunch of these revolvers and frankly there is nothing better in production as far as I’m concerned. What specifically is the problem?

Two different grip frames - both in Micarta:

GD-444BFR-3_1.jpg
 
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Is anyone offering a 500 Special? I've got a buncha 460gr WFNGC's and a pile of 500mag brass. I'd rather trim the brass down than carry around that big of a hog leg again.
 
I grew up shooting the BFR my dad probably had a dozen sine they came out. are favorite is the 45/70,he does not have any now, he sold then and many others when he got hurt. i would lie to get him one for his birthday.
 
Then you want the .500JRH.

Not really a .500 Special in that it was designed to be a maximum performance .50 caliber cartridge that fits in the confines of a “normally” sized revolver. However, like all cartridges, it can be loaded down.

Also, Kahr purchased Magnum Research in 2010, so they’ve owned it for nearly a decade. And, they just keep getting better, especially considering the next nearest “competitor” is roughly twice the price point.
 
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After looking into it, it appears I do. It's an expensive endeavor just to not waste some brass and bullets, but it's got alot of appeal in a Blackhawk sized packing iron.
One I doubt you'll regret. Love my BFR wish it had come with micarta grips I hate pachmyers on SAs seems blasphemous.
 
IMO, only the long cylinder models are worth getting if you have a rifle in those calibers. The .460, .500, and .410 ones are pointless, better revolvers available in those chamberings for less.
 
IMO, only the long cylinder models are worth getting if you have a rifle in those calibers. The .460, .500, and .410 ones are pointless, better revolvers available in those chamberings for less.

I couldn’t disagree with you more. The BFR is far and away the stronger platform and won’t shoot itself loose. A single-action without a swing out cylinder on a crane is a good idea with 62,000 PSI potential. With the 7 1/2-inch barrel they actually balance quite nicely and can be shot easily offhand. I thought the same thing until I started playing with them.
 
I couldn’t disagree with you more. The BFR is far and away the stronger platform and won’t shoot itself loose.

Which is why I often wonder why they only warrant their products for a year.

Most folks are never going to shoot any recent production revolver loose unless they push the boundaries past max loads. Even then, those folks are not the norm. The BFRs are very nice revolvers and well made. Kahr Arms is also known for well made guns and come with a Lifetime warranty. I wonder if the turnover of owners has anything to do with such a short warranty on such a high end revolver?
 
When one company buys another, especially one that is distressed, it is with the conviction that they can make more money on the business than the previous ownership. They do that but asserting their notions of economy, product offerings, quality, etc. What is happening at Magnum is so normal as to be totally unremarkable. Your rant is allowed to you since everyone has an opinion, but it is without merit.

Conservatives hate change and so they are at odds with the world they live in and are unhappy. Progressives love rapid change and so they also are at odds with the world they live in and are unhappy. Find the center my friend and adhere to it. You will also find happiness. :)
 
I've been strongly considering selling off a couple of guns I rarely use to fund a BFR.
If I do, it will be in one of the Linebaugh calibers. Probably .475, and it will probably see more .480 Ruger than full throttle Linebaughs.

I've been lusting over them pretty heavily.
I was considering a Super Blackhawk Bisley in .480 but for a few hundred more, you get what is approaching Freedom Arms quality and workmanship. I think it will be worth it.
 
Which is why I often wonder why they only warrant their products for a year.

It's not uncommon for the formal, legally-binding warranty to be for [X time], but then see that manufacturer treat things as warranties well outside that time frame.

For a business that is being run on a GAAP/accrual basis, having more items out with legally-valid warranties often requires having more money set aside in a warranty reserve. For a business that has been through the private equity cycle, where having the books and records in some kind of GAAP shape, and where making the numbers look as favorable as possible results in payoffs of multiples higher, this kind of stuff may matter a lot.

Or there could be a completely unrelated reason. But it's a common reason in other industries.
 
Which is why I often wonder why they only warrant their products for a year.

Most folks are never going to shoot any recent production revolver loose unless they push the boundaries past max loads. Even then, those folks are not the norm. The BFRs are very nice revolvers and well made. Kahr Arms is also known for well made guns and come with a Lifetime warranty. I wonder if the turnover of owners has anything to do with such a short warranty on such a high end revolver?

What turnover of owners?? Kahr Arms has owned Magnum Research since 2010 -- nearly a decade. Lots of warranty work has been performed in conjunction with Corbon's 440 grain .500 Smith load when there weren't lots of factory options available. The X-frame has the same inherent design weaknesses as the N-frame, which in essence it's merely a scaled up version.

As far as caliber availability:

Long Frame:

.30/30
.444 Marlin
.45 Colt/.410
.460 S&W
.45/70
.450 Marlin
.500 S&W

Short Frame:

.44 Mag
.454 Casull
.475 Linebaugh
.50 AE
.500 JRH
.500 Linebaugh

From the Precision Center -- all of the above, plus:

Short Frame:

.45 ACP
.45 Colt
.50 GI
.480 Ruger

Long Frame:

.30 Carbine
.307 Win
.300 Blackout
.375x.444
.375 Win
.38/55 Win
.445 Super Mag
.450 Bushmaster
.458 SoCom
.45/90
.499 LWR
.50 Beowulf

I don't know what might have been dropped from the lineup????
 
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I know the "long" cylinder is just over 3" but how long is the "short" cylinder?
 
What turnover of owners?? Kahr Arms has owned Magnum Research since 2010 -- nearly a decade. Lots of warranty work has been performed in conjunction with Corbon's 440 grain .500 Smith load when there weren't lots of factory options available. The X-frame has the same inherent design weaknesses as the N-frame, which in essence it's merely a scaled up version.

As far as caliber availability:

Long Frame:

.30/30
.444 Marlin
.45 Colt/.410
.460 S&W
.45/70
.450 Marlin
.500 S&W

Short Frame:

.44 Mag
.454 Casull
.475 Linebaugh
.50 AE
.500 JRH
.500 Linebaugh

From the Precision Center -- all of the above, plus:

Short Frame:

.45 ACP
.45 Colt
.50 GI
.480 Ruger

Long Frame:

.307 Win
.300 Blackout
.375x.444
.375 Win
.38/55 Win
.445 Super Mag
.450 Bushmaster
.458 SoCom
.45/90
.499 LWR
.50 Beowulf

I don't know what might have been dropped from the lineup????

No 22lr?!?! Need a big ol revolver to handle that kinda firepower.
 
I have looked at them recently and found there to be a lot more options than I expected. I am more interested now than ever... but still underpaid, overspent, and as a parent of youngsters there is no end in the near future, but I wouldn’t have it any other way... except for the underpaid part which is relative and could always stand for an adjustment.
 
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