Companion cylinder in Freedom arms mini
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I have both. The cylinders are not interchangeable. The cylinder locking notches are located differently, on the Freedoms Arms black powder mini revolver, it's near the center of the cylinder, and on the North American Arms Companion it's located towards the rear of the cylinder.
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Thank you so much. I'm just trying to find a way to replace the FA mini's cylinder. One of the nipples was broken and stuck when I got it, and a friend of mine drilled it out, screwing up the mouth of the chamber. So it's a four-shooter right now.
I called FA and they can fit a new cylinder to the gun, but I would have to mail it in and pay $80.
Anyone has a spare FA percussion cylinder?
I called FA and they can fit a new cylinder to the gun, but I would have to mail it in and pay $80.
Anyone has a spare FA percussion cylinder?
On another forum, it was posted that the Freedom Arms gunsmith indicated only 500 blackpowder Freedom Arms mini revolvers were produced. So, an eighty dollar investment to restore a collectible percussion pistol back to it's original condition is a good investment. I'm amazed that, after all these years since being discontinued, cylinders are still available. I own three Freedom Arms blackpowder mini revolvers, the one pictured and two others, all new and unfired. The two North American Arms blackpowder mini revolvers pictured, with fluted cylinders, are also mine, new and unfired.
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arcticap
Member
If true, that would mean that there were only 10 produced per state which is a pretty low figure.
My Blue Book only states that the mini revolver series was discontinued beginning in 1989 because FA's manufacturing capacity had been maximized by the success of the .454 Casull.
I wonder if there's any public documentation of that production figure besides what the gunsmith said?
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madcratebuilder
Member
That is a pretty small run. Maybe we can start a serial # list and get some idea . I have a .22lr black powder revolver #CM152X. Clermont, how close are your serial #'s?If true, that would mean that there were only 10 produced per state which is a pretty low figure.
My Blue Book only states that the mini revolver series was discontinued beginning in 1989 because FA's manufacturing capacity had been maximized by the success of the .454 Casull.
I wonder if there's any public documentation of FA's BP mini production figures besides what the gunsmith said?
I see these on GB occasionally, always seem to sell well. I was lucky and found the complete kit in the box, loading tool, holster, gun rug, ball and caps for $100. Fun little bugger to shoot.
I don't think serial numbers are a reliable way of estimating the total number of Freedom Arms blackpowder mini revolvers produced. I have always believed the blackpowder serial numbers were in the same series as the rimfire versions of the mini revolvers. Perhaps mini revolver frames were taken from the rimfire assembly line and altered for blackpowder use. Freedom Arms blackpowder mini revolvers were produced in 1", 1-1/2", and 3" barrel lengths, so if it is true that a total of 500 were manufacture, or 500 for each barrel length for a total of 1,500, it would still be very collectible. I wonder how many were produced with factory engraving and factory scrimshawed elephant ivory grips, as pictured in my second post.
All three of my Freedom Arms blackpowder mini revolvers have 1" barrels.
1. Serial # C051XX purchased in October, 1982, from Freedom Arms, when it was first introduced in a full page promotional ad in the Shotgun News. I ordered mine that day, so I find it impossible to believe over 5,100 blackpowder mini revolvers were already produced. This is when I reasoned that the blackpowder mini revolvers were serial numbered together with the rim fire versions.
2. Serial # C054XX purchased in January, 1983 from Freedom Arms. I find it difficult to believe Freedom Arms was producing a 100 blackpowder mini revolvers a month, unless the serial numbers are misleading because they're numbered within the rimfire serial numbers.
3. Serial # C011XX purchased in November, 1984 from Freedom Arms. This is the factory engraved blackpowder mini revolver that I custom ordered. The only explanation I can think of, for the low serial number, is that the frame and barrel were engraved, remained in inventory, and subsequently converted to blackpowder, possibly for sale to me.
Perhaps my theory about the blackpowder mini revolvers being serial numbered with the rimfire versions is wrong. We need to have posts of Freedom Arms rimfire mini revolver serial numbers to see if there is a similarity in serial numbering.
All three of my Freedom Arms blackpowder mini revolvers have 1" barrels.
1. Serial # C051XX purchased in October, 1982, from Freedom Arms, when it was first introduced in a full page promotional ad in the Shotgun News. I ordered mine that day, so I find it impossible to believe over 5,100 blackpowder mini revolvers were already produced. This is when I reasoned that the blackpowder mini revolvers were serial numbered together with the rim fire versions.
2. Serial # C054XX purchased in January, 1983 from Freedom Arms. I find it difficult to believe Freedom Arms was producing a 100 blackpowder mini revolvers a month, unless the serial numbers are misleading because they're numbered within the rimfire serial numbers.
3. Serial # C011XX purchased in November, 1984 from Freedom Arms. This is the factory engraved blackpowder mini revolver that I custom ordered. The only explanation I can think of, for the low serial number, is that the frame and barrel were engraved, remained in inventory, and subsequently converted to blackpowder, possibly for sale to me.
Perhaps my theory about the blackpowder mini revolvers being serial numbered with the rimfire versions is wrong. We need to have posts of Freedom Arms rimfire mini revolver serial numbers to see if there is a similarity in serial numbering.
andrewstorm
member
I have a naa companion,and I pack a29 gr 22 boolit over as much 777 as will fit in the cylinder,does anybody know how that compares to 2 gr of bullseye
The way I understand it, a Companion loaded with 777 is somewhere closer to .22 short mini in power. A Super Companion loaded with 777 is close to .22 LR mini. And a Companion loaded with Bullseye is somewhere between .22 LR and .22 Mag from a mini revolver.
I don't have a chrono, but the figures someone posted on NAA board showed a Companion loaded with Bullseye produced over 800 fps, which is in the area of .22LR mini loaded with Stingers or .22Mag mini loaded with Federal Classic.
I don't have a chrono, but the figures someone posted on NAA board showed a Companion loaded with Bullseye produced over 800 fps, which is in the area of .22LR mini loaded with Stingers or .22Mag mini loaded with Federal Classic.
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Clermont, do you have any trouble with the Pearlite Grips cracking, I replaced mine.
I have a couple limited edition Super C&B Gold Tone serial #'s in the 1500 range of 2000. I bought this through The Sportsman Guide. I looked at the NAA website they are still selling the plain stainless version of this gun, and lists a spare cylinder for $40. Don't know how much they get to time and tune it to the gun. If the limited edition numbers are in the thousands I think the regular ones should number way more than 500.
I have a couple limited edition Super C&B Gold Tone serial #'s in the 1500 range of 2000. I bought this through The Sportsman Guide. I looked at the NAA website they are still selling the plain stainless version of this gun, and lists a spare cylinder for $40. Don't know how much they get to time and tune it to the gun. If the limited edition numbers are in the thousands I think the regular ones should number way more than 500.
Azyogi, I have no problems with the pearlite grips because I collect, don't shoot, so the guns aren't handled. Are you sure your North American Arms Super Companions are of a limited edition of 2,000, not 3,000 as mine are? The production of, possibly, only 500 cap and ball mini revolvers has to do with Freedom Arms manufacture, not North American Arms made Companion cap and ball mini revolvers. Two different manufacturers.
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