My Freedom Arms .44 mag just got a tattoo

[JJHACK]

Some of you may know Troy Adams? He goes by "Big Sky" on several hunting and firearm websites. He is an amazing artist that went to Africa with me a few years ago to get some ideas for drawings first hand. Recently I asked him for a bear drawing to use as a template for the engraving on my FA .44 mag revolver. He provided this beautiful pencil drawing for the project.

Well the Engraver nailed it! On the other side of the cylinder he engraved two bear tracks as well. Now when I see the two engravings I know the top chamber #2 is the empty one. I had him engrave numbers on all the chambers as well. Much easier to know the top chamber is empty with the visual art work.

Take a look at Troys drawing and the work the engraver did. It's astonishing to me! I could not have hoped for better. The metal is cut deep too, this is not just etched it's carved!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

That is impressive work.

 

[horsemen61]

Looks amazing who did the work?

 

[paul105]

JJ,

Very nice. Who did the engraving? Most engravers won't do FAs -- too hard.

TIA,

Paul

 

[JJHACK]

Michael gouse

The FA stainless was a concern but he managed it perfectly

 

[340PD]

Now the timing is all off, the gun is ruined. Send that gun to me forever, please!


BTW, that is one of the nicest modifications I have ever seen done to a gun.

 

[CraigC]

Michael does a great job!

 

[calaverasslim]

That is some of the most impressive work I have seen. Both the artist and the engraver. You are very fortunate.

Congratulations.

 

[JJHACK]

With the chambers all numbered now. Loading #1, skipping #2 then loading the next 3.

#2 is always under the top strap and it's empty.

With the engraving visible on both sides it's easy to see the gun is safe with the top chamber empty. This is really a great safety feature as well.

This is especially true with the Freedom arms design of having the rims flush with the cylinder. In many other revolvers you can peek in and see the rims.

 

[huntershooter]

Well done.

Michael just did an "American Scroll with Border" on a 1911 for me.
He is very talented.

(I'd show the pistol but this is the "Revolver Forum")

 

[ATLDave]

Beautiful work.

Profoundly ignorant question: Does the practice of always leaving the same chamber unloaded cause uneven wear? Does that uneven wear, if any, cause problems over time?

 

[yzguy87]

Very nice! I'm usually not a huge fan of engraving on firearms but that is a very nice exception! Great work from the artist and engraver!

 

[JJHACK]

All shooting is done with all cylinders. Practice load development, plinking targets etc.

It's only carried with #2 empty.

 

[CraigC]

Michael just did an "American Scroll with Border" on a 1911 for me.
He is very talented.

(I'd show the pistol but this is the "Revolver Forum")

Did you post it elsewhere? I'd love to see it.

 

[erkman]

Looks amazing.

 

[44minimum]

I'm not much a fan of engraving either, but that looks really cool. And I also have an ignorant question that I've always wondered about freedom arms. They operate on the same principles as a colt? That they should be carried with an empty cylinder under the hammer? That leaves you starting out with what is supposed to be a five shot revolver but in reality you get four rounds to do what needs to be done? I thought that they used a transfer bar system. Maybe I thought wrong.

 

[back40]

that looks fantastic! they both did a wonderful job.

 

[JJHACK]

even with the reduction to four shots, from five.

It's still four times more then a contender!

Lots of folks carry all 5, I don't even carry 6 in my S&W just how I roll with my conservative nature.

 

[Hondo 60]

That is just AWESOME.

Very neat idea to tattoo it.

 

[philoe]

Tastefully done. Especially like numbering the chambers.

 

[Dnaltrop]

@44Minimum,

The FA's have 2 setups for the 5 shot revolvers.

Model 83- Traditional, full hammered gun with a manual sliding safety and a lawsuit from a fellow who was likely being stupid and shot his leg off. (resulting in FA's bankruptcy)

http://www.freedomarms.com/m83p.htm

http://shootingmessengers.blogspot.com/2007/05/man-sues-freedom-arms-after-leg-is.html

"Taylor was wearing the revolver in a holster when he was visiting Wyoming in 2003, according to the complaint. The gun discharged as Taylor was pulling back the long duster he was wearing, the bullet ripping into his right leg in the back near the knee and exiting through his bone below the knee in the front of his leg.

Taylor had to have his leg amputated from the wound, according to court records"

The Model 97 with the Transfer Bar, able to be safely carried with 5 in the cylinder.

http://www.freedomarms.com/m97p.htm

I'd take either, but much to the chagrin of some Single Action purists, I'd prefer the transfer bar. I do carry a Schofield top-break replica at times as my CCW, but only with the hammer on the Empty slot.

(Oh yes, Love the bear... not sure on the bear paws, but hey, it's not my gun!)

 

[paul105]

JJ,

I talked with Michael several years ago here in MT at a gun show and he wouldn't do a FA. Nice to know that is no longer the case.

Paul

 

[JJHACK]

Well there was some conversation about that. The FA steel is very hard. He wanted to give it a try, so glad he did. This is an heirloom quality firearm. Because of my work and background with bears, my son will likely keep this for the rest of his life too. However, not before I'm in a mason jar on his mantle!