Bowen and Freedom Arms

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The 97 is very strong, but it's not an 83. It is possible to load stupid rounds, way over spec, and blow cylinders. Linebaugh had a couple Ruger cylinders laying around like that.

I've also heard of people loading light bullets and erroding forcing cones with super high pressure loads. I've also heard of people that have flat out shot their guns out, and, regardless of field or premier grade, FA has fixed the guns no charge. These being .454's.

I don't think a 2500 dollar gun should have a 5 pound trigger, but, Bob Baker, and his lawyers do. My argument is that if you have the most accurate production revolver in the world, the trigger should be a match grade trigger. If my .375 H&H CZ 550 has a single stage set trigger, a decent trigger pull on a pistol costing 5 times that isn't too much to ask.

I can see for a hunting gun, where you are using gloves, that he might have a point. Still, 80-100 dollars for a trigger job is a bit steep, on a new 2500 dollar gun.

An then there is the whole proprietary .500WE and how that came about.

All that said, every time I go out to buy a revolver lately, I've more or less ended up with a FA.

I will say the 252 I had didn't like my 5000 rounds of .22lr, so I sold it and bought a single six for 1/3 the money. We'll see how that plays out, but, the Single Six is a beautiful little gun, at a very good price. It doesn't have match grade cylinder, but, I also ended up selling the most accurate gun I've ever had, or close. 3/8" inch at 50 yards, with match grade ammo is no joke.

BFR's are THE best alternative. However, I'm concerned they are going to go the way of the Dan Wesson semi-autos, and become premium priced not far behind the FA's.

In retrospect, I think dealing with gunsmiths and owners of such companies it's best to approach it with the theory that the guns are their babies. THEY think they are perfect, and anything that you
say better be heavy on flattery. They have given a lot of thought to why the guns are designed the way they are, or they like them that way.

If you go to their website, or one they are financing, they are looking at it as a business situation. They aren't going to want to pay you to say things that may show that the Emperor has no clothes,
or that contradicts their decisions, or designs.

I like the fact that Bowen is doing conversions on FA's now. Didn't know that before. I'm sure everything he does will make a beautiful gun even more to what the owner wants.

However, that said, I REALLY don't like the look of that hammer. I suspect Bowen does. I have my opinion, he has his.

As for voiding a warranty: Bowen, I'm pretty sure Bowen has a life time warranty on his work as well.
 
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So am I. It was opined that the bullets may have been egg-shaped. Bob said he'd never seen anything like it before or since.

EDIT: I found the discussion, both chamber mouths and bore were egg-shaped. Loads he received from the owner were 20% or more overloaded. He suspected poorly cast bullets, tinning and/or leading led to the damage. Coupled with some arrogance and stupidity. The guy used to post on SingleActions.com, until he was banned.

That makes sense. Thanks, Craig. I can see how leading (aka partial barrel obstruction) combined with overlaods could lead to the ruin of a gun, even a FA revovler. I imagine all of us are familiar with the kabooms in Glocks, and other weapons, because of increased pressures associated with leading.
 
That makes sense. Thanks, Craig. I can see how leading (aka partial barrel obstruction) combined with overlaods could lead to the ruin of a gun, even a FA revovler. I imagine all of us are familiar with the kabooms in Glocks, and other weapons, because of increased pressures associated with leading.
Baker said the egg shape followed the twist of the rifling all the way down the bore. It's very interesting that someone could manage to do such a thing to a fine FA 97. Then he blamed FA for it.
 
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