Gary W. Strange
Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2018
- Messages
- 387
Back in the early 90’s, I scraped the money together to buy a field grade 454. They were not called model 83 back then. It’s a 6” barrel. A few years back, I bought a model 97, 4 1/4” 44 Special. It is the perfect woods carry revolver. I believe they are the finest revolvers made and give up nothing to a custom made single action revolver, in the respect to quality. You can have more variety in a custom revolver but as far as quality of build, fit and finish Freedom arms revolvers give up nothing to a custom. In a custom one is basically getting what Freedom arms builds to start with. I have fired many rounds of .454 through mine, a lot of very hot loads and it is still just as tight as the day it come out of the box. I have only shot loads in the 97, that clock 1000-1100, maybe 1200 fps range. I didn’t get it for a magnum, but I see no reason it would not handle much heavier loads, and still not shoot loose. I consider Freedom Arms more of a semi custom maker than production company. They don’t build no where near as many revolvers as others. More quality than quantity. I believe they will compare , complete and shoot with the best out there.