Freedoms Arms worth the price?

[iScream]

In 357, the 97 is a 6 shot and the 83 is a 5 shot. Subtract 1 each if you keep an empty under the hammer, as advised.

This may actually end up being the deal breaker for me. Not the empty chamber thing since I won't ever have it loaded unless I'm about to shoot it. The five shot cylinder may actually turn me away from it. I like to shoot a lot when I go to the range and where I shoot right now you have to walk up in front of the loading bench to shoot. Only having five shots each time would get to be a major pain. It's already a bit of a pain with my 7 shot 686 but I think I'm going to order a couple speed loaders to deal with that. Obviously not an option for a SA only gun though.

-Chris

 

[CraigC]

Maybe you should get the 1911 instead.

 

[Prosser]

one hole with 5 shots is better then 20, that look like a shotgun pattern.

 

[jyo]

At this time, I own two Model 83s in .454---one 4 3/4" (with two extra cylinders, .45 Colt and .45 ACP) and the other 6 1/2" both are the high-grade models. These are simply the finist production revolvers made. The reason to own these fine "revolving pistols" (Sam Colt) is to have the very best of something without breaking your budget (try to own the best car-motorcycle-watch etc and see what that costs) and you get to use them at the same time! Buy your .357 Model 97 and enjoy it the rest of your life. Good luck with this!

 

[iScream]

Maybe you should get the 1911 instead.

Maybe so. I'll drive myself nuts over it for the next month until my birthday gets here and my wife kicks in a few bucks. Then I'll just go buy an AR15.



-Chris

 

[higene]

Model 97

I had a model 97 in 44 Special. It was an elegant and very well made gun. Bear in mind that they are very similar to a Ruger blackhawk. I shot everything I could think of handloading for this pistol. All of the Keith, Taffin and Pierce top end loads. The gun did it all. I traded it for a Model 83 454 'cause I gots to know. A model 97 is an elegant, accurate, and well built gun. Fun to shoot with top end loads (44 Special at 1300 fps) it ain't. I will probably do all right in 357 but a model 83 is a full pound heavier.

I think you will love a 357 model 97. Remember, if you decide to sell it, it may take someone else as long as it took you to save up the money and decide to buy it.

 

[iScream]

I had a model 97 in 44 Special. It was an elegant and very well made gun. Bear in mind that they are very similar to a Ruger blackhawk. I shot everything I could think of handloading for this pistol. All of the Keith, Taffin and Pierce top end loads. The gun did it all. I traded it for a Model 83 454 'cause I gots to know. A model 97 is an elegant, accurate, and well built gun. Fun to shoot with top end loads (44 Special at 1300 fps) it ain't. I will probably do all right in 357 but a model 83 is a full pound heavier.

I think you will love a 357 model 97. Remember, if you decide to sell it, it may take someone else as long as it took you to save up the money and decide to buy it.

I may still go with the 97. Who knows at this point. It's probably between that and a Les Baer at this point. A S&W Performance Center 357 Mag is on my radar to some degree as well.

-Chris

 

[mgkdrgn]

I had one come through here as a consignment piece. Very very nice gun! And ... it sold -very- quickly.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've had my 4.25" Model 97 .357 for quite a few years, must be almost ten.
Worth the money for sure. Since SA's are slower to load and unload than DA revo's, doesn't sound like the high speed, high volume gun you're looking for.

 

[iScream]

Worth the money for sure. Since SA's are slower to load and unload than DA revo's, doesn't sound like the high speed, high volume gun you're looking for.

The more I think about it, the more I think this may be true. I really want one of these, and I expect to get one at some point, but I think it might annoy me too much right now. When I used to shoot at Quail Creek range in Dallas it would have been fine since everyone stood behind the bench to fire. At the range where I'm a member now you have to walk up anywhere from 5 to 10 yards to shoot. That's because people are shooting at different distances from the targets and you obviously have to coordinate so everyone is side by side.

I might try out the 25 yard line before I decide since that part of the range is setup more like Quail Creek. I kind of like 15 yards though.

-Chris

 

[Prosser]

I sold a FA 83 252 because I got a very good offer, needed the money, and the final straw was the match grade chambers pretty much required cleaning about every two cylinder fulls. In retrospect, I should have just had the cylinder opened up a little. The guy I sold it to got it shooting 1/4" at 50 yards. I can't see well enough to shoot that well, at that distance;-(

 

[Leaky Waders]

Can someone who has one explain to me the difference btween the 83 and 97 safety mechanims?

Also, are the guns basically the Ruger design with a plow handle and closer tolerances? Or something else?

Lastly, I see a couple of people mention the BFR in this thread - are they a good revolver? Or a gimmick? I've never gandled one but they look like they should be called RBFR...a really big etc etc.

 

[wad]

I am a fan of Freedom Arms revolvers I think the choice of weather to get a model 83 or 97 should be on what fits your hand better. for me, the model 97 is a little too small and the 83 is just right.

In the picture below, front to back:
Model 97 Premier Grade - .357 Magnum
Model 83 Premier Grade - .454 Casull
Model 252 Varmint Class - .22LR & .22WMR
Model 353 Field Grade - .357 Magnum



Models 252, 353, 454, 555 and 757 all have the same frame and feature designs as the model 83. At some point in the past FA renamed them to model 83 and just put the caliber markings on the barrel.

Edit: there is a discussion forum dedicated to Freedom Arms revolvers over at Graybeard Outdoors: http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/board,164.0.html

 

[Hunt480]

WAD,
that is a fine collection. I have been contemplating a FA in 44mag for a few years now and I to have wandered if they are worth the price. Obviously you are positive they are worth the price.

 

[Bill B.]

A little more input from another forum I found interesting:

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=48916

 

[eldon519]

Not to hijack, but I noticed a number of you have gone with the brass bead express front sight. Is it accurate enough (small enough bead) for target work? I've been thinking about getting myself an FA, and I like a small bead that is still precise, but some of the larger speed-oriented beads don't do it for me.

 

[Coal Dragger]

If it helps any you could try it and if you didn't like it replace it with a standard blade. The FA front sights are interchangeable and are available in different heights and styles.