Most Accurate Production Revolver ?

[Ralph Bryant]

Need opinions on what you think is the most accurate production revolver on the market. At present, top of my short list is either a Freedom Arms Model 97 .22LR, a Freedom Arms Model 252 .22LR, or a Freedom Arms Model 97 .17HMR ........ just for the sake of accuracy in shot placement for target shooting mind you. From what I've seen, these would be a toss-up at 50 yards, with the .17 holding the advantage out to 100 yards and beyond. Primary interest here is small silhouette and paper target shoots.

Any opinions or experiences appreciated.

Ralph

 

[Old Fuff]

Without question the Freedom Arms should be in first place, but because of extensive hand fitting I would rate it as "semi-custom."

The next choice, if you could find one, would be a Dan Wesson.

Last but not least, I'd also consider an older Colt Officer's Model Target or Officers Model Match in .22 LR.

 

[Just Jim]

In my opinion the Smith 625 in 45 acp using 200 grain LSWC loaded and 5.6 grains of 231 is the most accurate gun I have ever seen in current production. I own three and they all shoot one hole groups. The most accurate gun is the old 25-2 in 45acp

JJ

 

[dfariswheel]

Everybody has different experiences, but after test firing a LOT of revolvers over a 30 year career, the most consistently accurate production revolver in my experience is the Colt Python.

However, when talking about a Double Action .22LR revolver, it's a toss-up between the Colt Officer's Model, the Colt Diamondback 6", and the Colt Trooper Mark III, with an often close appearance by the S&W Model 17 Masterpiece.

The .22LR Dan Wesson CAN be very accurate, BUT was handicapped by very inconsistent and fluctuating quality.

 

[S&Wfan]

Ditto for the 25-2, at least for centerfire revolvers made in a standard production way.

It is no more accurate intrinsically than another .45ACP revolver made by other companies either. The difference is in the Smith trigger pulls.

 

[Old Fuff]

Yes guys, but read the first post. Ralph is looking for a .22.....

 

[JMusic]

I'd look at the Smith model 17 also. They are usually a very accurate 22. My 2 cents

Jim

 

[22-rimfire]

You might give the 8" Colt Trooper Mark III a try in either 22LR or 22WMR. One of the rifle-pistols might work well too... TC Contender in 22WMR or 22Lr and the Anshutz 22 (Not revolvers though).

Freedom Arms single action would be my first choice.

 

[Jim March]

In Single Action, FA, period. Gunblast tested a 7.5" barrel based on the '97 frame with a match 22LR cylinder that did 1" and under groups at 100 yards. That's just mind-blowing.

In DA, there's a rare but legendary Colt out there...the "Officer's Target Match" in 22LR. Most were 38s but some 22s shipped. These were on the same frame that was later strengthened and used in the Python...basically a 22LR Python. Hard to find, but...supposed to be scary accurate. I doubt it'll exceed the FA though.

 

[Ralph Bryant]

Thanks Gents,

Jim, did you notice the 1/2 MOA results Jeff was getting out of the .17 HMR Model 97 ? 1/4 inch groups at 50 yards, and under 1/2 inch at 100 yards ! I think any manufacturer would be hard-pressed to equal those results. There are few rifles that will provide that kind of accuracy potential, much less a revolver. These little rimfires are pretty impressive, and something that will challenge even the best of target shooters for a long time to come. That's what a high-quality, consistently accurate firearm is all about IMO.

Ralph

 

[10-Ring]

In my experience, vintage S&W 4" 357 mags like the model 19 and 66 are very accurate and from Colt, they really did their homework when the Python hit the market

 

[jonsidneyb]

Korth?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've shot a Ruger Mark III Competition and Mark III Target and both were very impressive. Those are the only 22LR pistols I've shot so I can't tell you how they compare to the ones above. See them here: http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAFamily?type=Pistol&subtype=Rimfire Autoloading&famlst=55

 

[Socrates]

the question is:
"Need opinions on what you think is the most accurate production revolver on the market."

Revolver=NOT RugerMarkIII, does it?

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_83-475.htm

While Jeff Quinn didn't rave as much about accuracy, when you consider the size of the bullet, his one hole 5 shot group, all of 3/8 of an inch, is even better then the lil guns, the 22lr, and .17. That's minute of caliber at 25 yards. I'd like to see what a ransom rest and that gun could have done, with a LOT of load development.
Mine does ONE HOLE, .475" AT 25 YARDS, BUT, MINES GOT super tight chambers, match grade, to match the match grade barrel, and that's with Vhitouri V110, at about 1150 fps, with a 420 grain LFN. Cloverleaf is a bad group at 50 yards. Can't see at 100, any

As far as super accurate legends, my Colt Trooper III will allow me to put all 6 shots on less then a thumbnail, off hand, at 11 yards. Should try it from a rest.

S&W makes the 617, and, can't remember it's older brother, Model 42, and model 41 for automatic.???

But both are supposed to be super accurate, and, about a grand each.

Still, these musings don't answer the question: FREEDOM ARMS, MODEL 83, IN .475 LINEBAUGH.

I know a guy that recently took a big buck, at 140 yards, with his 454 Casull, which, for him, is the same accuracy as my .475. So, I think the real answer is FREEDOM ARMS, MODEL 83 REVOLVERS, OR MODEL 97??

s

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No need for the flame-face Socrates, I made a mistake. At least I stayed with the 22LR instead of all the other CAL's that were mentioned. For some reason when he said "Primary interest here is small silhouette and paper target shoots." and said 22LR I thought of the Ruger Mark III because most revolver competition is done with a .45 cal.

Take it easy and lighten up will ya? I'm new here and just trying to get involved.

 

[Old Fuff]

The reason that Freedom Arms revolvers are so accurate is because unlike any other production revolver, the chambers are line bored. A bushing is screwed into the the barrel hole in the frame, and a cylinder blank that has the stop cuts made is installed. Then the cylinder is locked by a fixture that uses the cylinder notches to position the cylinder. A pilot hole for the chamber is drilled, and the bushing keeps the drill concentric with the bore. Each chamber is made this way, and each one will be absolutely aligned with the barrel's bore.

That's gunmaking...

 

[Ralph Bryant]

Old Fuff,

I think you're exactly right about the line-boring advantage of the Freedom Arms revolvers. They just seem to do everything right to get the best level of accuracy out of the box on a consistent basis.

It's funny, I've asked this same question on other forums too, and there are so many answers covering every brand and model you can imagine. "MY so-and-so does this or does that, and is the most accurate I've ever had" type of responses. Everyone wants to think that the gun they own is "the best" or the "most accurate", to the point of trying to talk themselves into believing there is nothing better. I guess we all fall into that trap now and then. But like someone mentioned elsewhere, it's really a matter of statistics among different manufacturers. With many of them, you might be lucky to get a very accurate example, or you may end up with a real lemon. Two guns only one serial number apart might provide entirely different levels of performance, depending again on production methods and attention to the fine details given one company over another.

The one thing I notice is the common denominator of Freedom Arms when folks start talking accuracy in a revolver, regardless of the caliber involved. No doubt the .475 can be every bit as accurate as the .22LR or .17 HMR, as can the .454s and the .357s There is just something about the tighter groups of the little bullets that gives the "perception" of even greater precision. In other words, if the .22 can put 6 shots into a 45/100 diameter pattern, the common perception is that the .45 caliber has to put all 6 shots into the same hole to be equal in performance. This is not true of course, but you get the "perception" idea......the smaller the pattern, the greater the accuracy, and the smaller the bullet, the smaller the overall pattern can be.

I've always thought any serious shooter should choose a gun that is more accurate than he/she is capable of shooting, choosing a load that performs best in that particular gun on the basis of "consistency", and then concentrate on improving their operation of that combination to the highest level possible according to their personal level of shooting skill......being "the best you can be". Some of us like to "plink" tin cans a few yards away, while others like the challenge of "plinking" those same tin cans at 150 yards or more. And the nice thing about the simple sport of target shooting is that there are ALWAYS greater challenges awaiting, whether in the form of greater distances or tighter groups on paper.

Ralph

 

[Old Fuff]

In theory, a single-shot pistol with the sights mounted on the barrel should be the most accurate. Next the automatic pistol, because the chamber is part of the bore - but this assumes that the barrel always returns to battery at the same place. The revolver - with 5, 6, or more chambers is last, because the chamber(s) are not part of the barrel.

At Freedom Arms they believe that state-of-the-art machinery combined with careful hand craftsmenship can produce a revolver that will give any other handgun a run for its money... and then proved their point.

The downside is that the final result usually costs two times as much... or more ... then any competitor's product. But then, best quality doesn't often come cheap, and you get what you pay for. With reasonable care that accuracy will remain for several generations of users or more. Over that kind of time span the revolver's cost is rather modest.

I suppose that those that are primarily interested in the speed of their double-taps won't pay any attention to this thread. Those that want to reach WAY OUT and touch something will...

 

[MCgunner]

Well, in revolvers, when I read the question, the Freedom Arms came immediately to mind. I don't own one, never fired one, but I understand they are quite incredible. They're expensive for a reason.

I'd rather shoot my TC Contender for that sort of accuracy, though. It was affordable on a working man's budget. My Blackhawks are good 'nuf for gov'ment work, too. Wish I could afford a Freedom Arms. I wouldn't get it in .22, though.

 

[jonsidneyb]

I do not know this from experience. But from what I read the best accuracy comes from a German revolver Korth.

I think most have not tried one due to the price. I think they are in thr $5000.00 price range. I have never tried one but I understand that only customs can stand with it in accuracy.

 

[Ralph Bryant]

I think for $5000, I'd just forget the gun and walk "way out there" and touch the target myself !!

Old Fuff....... I've been reading up on standard and free competition pistols too, and they seem to be more a matter of ergonomics than anything special in the accuracy department with some of the target forum guys bragging on their .4 inch groups at 25 yards. But what I noticed most of all was all the fuss about failure to feeds, failure to fires, broken guns, dead batteries in their electronic triggers, and the inability to get replacement parts. Sounded like a bunch of women complaining about broken fingernails. But I have to wonder what some of their high-dollar performance ammo would do in the FA considering most of their powder puffs don't seem to like "trash ammo", picky bitches that they are. Something about "fragile" and "handgun" that just don't go together well IMO.

And "double-taps" ? The UZI more than makes up for what I've been missing in that category !

 

[Old Fuff]

My old Hammerli free pistol has a mechanical trigger that can be set below 1 oz. and is still completely reliable - if my trigger finger can control it...

Free pistols are not necessarily fussy, and mine has never misfired or given me any trouble. It will shoot 3/8" groups and under at 50 meters with good ammunition, and yes - with it you can quickly discover that there is good and bad, and bad will open the groups to 3/4" and larger. The other important component is the rear sight, that has very precise adhustments - you can even adjust the width and depth of the notch.

I did, as an experiment, shoot it in a metalic silhouette match. The accuracy was there, but the trigger was set too low for that kind of competition. I would have mentioned it, but this thread was about revolvers.

Oh, and you can darn well bet that the best grades of International Match Grade ammunition will make a difference in group size - be it fired from a Hammerli free pistol, a Freedom Arms, or a true match-grade semi-automatic.

 

[Jim March]

A leeetle bit off topic, but I find the question "which revolver with a street price of about $500 or less is the most accurate?" to be an interesting question.

A Ruger SA might be in the running, if it's hand-selected via "the checkout". But I suspect you're probably more likely to get there with a hand-selected vintage Colt, something like an Officer's Match 38spl built on the same frame as a Python. It'll be a wee bit on the delicate side compared to, say, a GP100...

 

[jonsidneyb]

The competion grade guns I have seen do not seem that fragile.
They will shoot well but they are not looking for power but to win contests. Since ammo is such a big part of the equation you need fantastic ammo to win.

This is not to say we cannot have a super accurate field revolver or carry gun.

All things come with compromises and shooting is one of them.

 

[Ralph Bryant]

Old Fuff,

I think if a true match pistol were under consideration, it would definately be one of the single-shot free pistols. I just may have to take a second look at these. The semi-autos seem to be a little more "touchy and finicky" due to tight tolerances. I think I prefer the simplicity and uncluttered form of the Hammerli FP60, but the FP10 and 160 Special are interesting too, as are the Steyr FP1 and Pardini K22. Any of these would REALLY get you back to the basics of marksmanship !

But $1500 for a single-shot .22 is a stretch unless you are REAL serious about your plinking. Specs on some of these newer models claim you can set the trigger pull down to 5 GRAMS !......