Freedom Arms .454 with Rowen sheephorn

[CraigC]

I've always wanted a Freedom Arms sixgun but it took me a while to make the leap. I've always preferred blued and/or color case hardened carbon steel and in FA's price range, custom guns. Late last year I found such a good deal on a 7½" model 83 Field Grade with both .454 and .45Colt cylinders that I decided it was time. Unfortunately, being a Field Grade, it came with those Pachmayr rubber abominations. While a fantastic sixgun in every other way, I could not stomach to shoot it more than five times with the rubbers in place. Shortly after getting it home, I made a call to Rob Rowen to see if he had any sheep horn in the pipeline. It was then decided that the JRH .44Mag Ruger would get Dall sheep and the FA would get big horn. He had some that promised to have lots of black and color variation he was right! Pics just do not do this material justice. It is absolutely stunning! As usual, Rob's work in fitting and shaping them is phenomenal. For now, the gun is wearing a Burris 2x in a Leupold dual dovetail mount. Will have to do some extensive shooting before deciding what its configuration will ultimately be. I may leave it as is and get into making chest rigs.

 

[Rodentman]

Very nice. FA 83's are great. I picked up a 44mag and 454 used, but in perfect shape. You have done well with that gun!

 

[Walkalong]

Those are some great looking grips.

 

[bannockburn]

CraigC

Sweet looking grips! They go nicely with the stainless steel FA.

 

[If1HitU]

Absolutely awesome Freedom Arms revolvers, grips and scope.

 

[Riomouse911]

That's one beautiful set up, both the FA and the grips are outstanding!

I have zero experience with horn grips, are they fragile? (Prone to chip at the base or split where they're thinnest?)

 

[.308 Norma]

Wow!

 

[Varminterror]

@CraigC, not to derail your thread about the gorgeous new grips, but I wanna ask: what do you think of the Leupold Dual Dove mount? I put my first on an SBH a couple years ago now, thinking it would offer a little sleeker lines than the Weaver (weigand, weaver, etc) types I've used for years, but I'm still not really on board with them. Maybe it's just the thought of NOT being able to add a 3rd ring if I really needed to, and the fact the Leupold rings only have 1 screw per side.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Out of curiosity what did those stocks cost?

Making me want something similar for my Premier Grade.....

 

[CraigC]

@CraigC, not to derail your thread about the gorgeous new grips, but I wanna ask: what do you think of the Leupold Dual Dove mount? I put my first on an SBH a couple years ago now, thinking it would offer a little sleeker lines than the Weaver (weigand, weaver, etc) types I've used for years, but I'm still not really on board with them. Maybe it's just the thought of NOT being able to add a 3rd ring if I really needed to, and the fact the Leupold rings only have 1 screw per side.

Don't know yet. Have not shot it with the scope yet. It seems like a good setup but if I decide to keep it scoped I may do a T'SOB.

That's one beautiful set up, both the FA and the grips are outstanding!

I have zero experience with horn grips, are they fragile? (Prone to chip at the base or split where they're thinnest?)

Sheep horn is very tough, it has to be to withstand the impact from fighting. It's also stabilized. Rob warned me about ivory on hard kickers but has no reservations about sheep horn.

Out of curiosity what did those stocks cost?

Making me want something similar for my Premier Grade.....

$1000.

 

[Riomouse911]

Cool, their being tough for fighting makes sense. That is some masterful work on them!

 

[adcoch1]

Normally I would say $1000 for a set of stocks is nuts, but in this case it seems about right. This may be the most beautiful revolver I've ever seen, thanks for sharing it with us!

 

[CraigC]

It's expensive and harder to get than ivory ever was. You can get a plain slab of ivory but every bit of sheep horn I've seen was stunning.