Talk to me: Freedom Arms 83 Premier 454

[Mark_Mark]

The drama comes from those who follow Hollywood movies instead of manufacturer's instructions...

Cheyenne:
[Turns the cylinder of his revolver]
All the way up to six if I have to.
[gestures to Harmonica's wound]
And maybe faster than you.

FA is keeping it REAL! Love it!

I got 2 Colt SAA and I know the gun fight loading instructions too!

What next do the Lawyer’s Want… Guns to Say… “ Bullet Come Out here” lol

 

[paul105]

One of my favorites - 3 1/2" round butt .45 colt "5 shot" M97 with 45 acp aux cyl.
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Absolute delight with 45 acp cyl
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With 45 Colt cyl will rugn 320gr FNGC at 1,140 fps
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Old sore hands limit the latter.
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[Mark_Mark]

One of my favorites - 3 1/2" round butt .45 colt "5 shot" M97 with 45 acp aux cyl.
.

.
Absolute delight with 45 acp cyl
.
With 45 Colt cyl will rugn 320gr FNGC at 1,140 fps
.
Old sore hands limit the latter.
.

dang that looks like an adventure! with the branch and moss! Pine straw on the ground , nice rest before you keep going!

 

[Riomouse911]

FA says they have a “manual hammer block” and then weasel word it.
FA 97 has a transfer bar but they don’t trust themselves with it either.
Give me a NM Ruger without the lawyer lingo.

Weeeelllll, I don’t think we can say Ruger avoids lawyer lingo either.



But I do love the Blackhawk/Vaquero’s! (I just hate the dissertation printed on the guns!)

Stay safe.

 

[paul105]

Early John Linebaugh "4 shot" 475 - not mine but I shot it maybe 10 yrs ago. After shooting, owner told me the load -- a couple of grains over Speer manual with 400gr Jacketed Speer - think he was using data provided by John for cut down 45-70 brass. A handful for sure.
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Paul

 

[Mark_Mark]

Early John Linebaugh "4 shot" 475 - not mine but I shot it maybe 10 yrs ago. After shooting, owner told me the load -- a couple of grains over Speer manual with 400gr Jacketed Speer - think he was using data provided by John for cut down 45-70 brass. A handful for sure.
.

.
Paul

Linebaugh was the founder of FA?

 

[paul105]

My 454 FA83 - early Field Grade. Had the firing pin retrofitted and a 45 Colt cyl added at the same time maybe 10 yrs ago (can't remember). Bought in late 80s or early 90s (pretty sure late 80s). Do remember the price ($900). The most accurate handgun (along with FA97 44 special) I've ever shotl
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Setup for elk/mule deer hunt (not luck) several yrs ago. Grip strength deteriorating so pachys added - eye sight also on the wane so red dot.
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.

.

Paul

 

[Mark_Mark]

My 454 FA83 - early Field Grade. Had the firing pin retrofitted and a 45 Colt cyl added at the same time maybe 10 yrs ago (can't remember). Bought in late 80s or early 90s (pretty sure late 80s). Do remember the price ($900). The most accurate handgun (along with FA97 44 special) I've ever shotl
.
Setup for elk/mule deer hunt (not luck) several yrs ago. Grip strength deteriorating so pachys added - eye sight also on the wane so red dot.
.

.

Paul

$900 was a-lot of money then! Nice Shooting!!!

 

[paul105]

Dick Casull, Wayne Baker Freedom Arms - John Linebaugh, Dick Casull, Ross Siefried started the whole big bore handgun extravaganza

 

[paul105]

One more 4 shot FA83 - Jack Huntington 500 JRH conversion on FA83- 5" Octagon bbl 500JR conversion on Field Grade FA83.
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50 yd target rested on back of pickup tonneau.
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.
Paul

 

[Mark_Mark]

My 454 FA83 - early Field Grade. Had the firing pin retrofitted and a 45 Colt cyl added at the same time maybe 10 yrs ago (can't remember). Bought in late 80s or early 90s (pretty sure late 80s). Do remember the price ($900). The most accurate handgun (along with FA97 44 special) I've ever shotl
.
Setup for elk/mule deer hunt (not luck) several yrs ago. Grip strength deteriorating so pachys added - eye sight also on the wane so red dot.
.

.

.

Paul

was it hard to put a reddot on that FA? that would be the ultimate hunting and target setup… Ugly, but who cares when your shooting clover leaves with a 454!

 

[paul105]

Point of above posts - nothing wrong with FAs or 4 shot guns.
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JMHO
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Paul

 

[Mark_Mark]

One more 4 shot FA83 - Jack Huntington 500 JRH conversion on FA83- 5" Octagon bbl 500JR conversion on Field Grade FA83.
.

.
50 yd target rested on back of pickup tonneau.
.

.
Paul

those are kinda addictive to own!

 

[paul105]

Freedom Arms and others offer Red Dot bases that fit in the rear sight mortis for a real clean install. And yes I also think they are ugly but old eyes trump beauty.

Paul

 

[CraigC]

I’m just jealous! $1500 then - now $3,000! ouch

Mostly the difference between a used Field Grade and a NIB Premier Grade.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Call Freedom Arms and ask them if they still support the forcing cone bushing - I don't think they do. This is an early gun and doesn't have the replaceable firing pin (can be retrofitted for a couple hundred $ incl shipping). The firing pin's are subject to breakage. Don't know what "EXP" is unless it's express rear sight.

On the plus side the gun has an aux 45 colt cylinder (a plus to me not to others who say it isn't needed), and micarta grips.

New list price is $3,350 without the 45 colt cyl and without micarta grip upgrade.

Here's one that's similar without 45 colt cyl and no micartas for $2,100 (shipping included but transfer fees would add to the cost). It also has the forcing cone bushing and probably no replaceable forcing cone. No 45 colt cyl and no micarta grips.

Freedom Arms Model 83- .454 Casull

Freedom Arms Model 83- .454 Casull for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Here are current listings on Guns International for price comparison.

Freedom Arms Revolvers for sale

Browse all new and used Freedom Arms Revolvers for sale and buy with confidence from Guns International.

www.gunsinternational.com

Paul

Could someone explain to me the Forcing Cone Bushing? Need some ammo for negotiation

 

[bigpower491]

Well hopefully he'll bite on your price......
This 357 was in the neighborhood of $3300 brand new new a few years ago when I picked it up.
It has jewelled trigger and hammer, the factory action job and the black micarta grips. They are outstanding shooters, and extremely well made.
Yes it is a 5 shot, and yes, if you're going to holster it, ALWAYS carry it on an open chamber.
But I will guarantee you one thing.....it'll be the best revolver you own

 

[paul105]

Could someone explain to me the Forcing Cone Bushing? Need some ammo for negotiation

Replaceable insert to take the brunt of forcing cone erosion caused by large charges of ball powders like 296/H110.

This might help -- only six posts so a short read
.

Replaceable forcing cones

www.go2gbo.com

 

[tominboise]

Since we are showing our 4 shot FA handguns, here's mine in 44 Mag. I think I paid around $1800 for this maybe 10 years ago. I had three of the FA97s in 357 Mag, 44 Spec and 45 Colt, but the grip frame to trigger guard clearance isn't big enough for my knuckles, so they are painful to shoot. So I sold them and bought the 83. I load 4 when wandering around in the woods. On the range I load all 5.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Replaceable insert to take the brunt of forcing cone erosion caused by large charges of ball powders like 296/H110.

This might help -- only six posts so a short read
.

Replaceable forcing cones

www.go2gbo.com

NICE read on FCB! wonder what year this was stopped. Sounds like the issue was the amount of maching to make a FCB then just making a new barrel

 

[Mark_Mark]

Since we are showing our 4 shot FA handguns, here's mine in 44 Mag. I think I paid around $1800 for this maybe 10 years ago. I had three of the FA97s in 357 Mag, 44 Spec and 45 Colt, but the grip frame to trigger guard clearance isn't big enough for my knuckles, so they are painful to shoot. So I sold them and bought the 83. I load 4 when wandering around in the woods. On the range I load all 5.
View attachment 1177331

Would you pay $3150 for a unfired 3.75” 83 454 with extra .45 LC cylinder and all the other extra like Action Job, black grip, Bushing?

 

[Mark_Mark]

Well hopefully he'll bite on your price......
This 357 was in the neighborhood of $3300 brand new new a few years ago when I picked it up.
It has jewelled trigger and hammer, the factory action job and the black micarta grips. They are outstanding shooters, and extremely well made.
Yes it is a 5 shot, and yes, if you're going to holster it, ALWAYS carry it on an open chamber.
But I will guarantee you one thing.....it'll be the best revolver you own

View attachment 1177322

WOW! they have 2 available, I’ll try to wait him out. Maybe go as low as $3,000, but if one gets bought… I’m buying the other at asking price! LOL

 

[tominboise]

Would you pay $3150 for a unfired 3.75” 83 454 with extra .45 LC cylinder and all the other extra like Action Job, black grip, Bushing?

The price seems "ok" to me but it's hard to imagine firing a 3.75" 454 Casull, so it's moot to me. I'd install the 45LC cylinder and never look back. I like the black Micarta grip and think it's a worthwhile upgrade. Action job I go back and forth on. I did not buy the action job on two of my three 97's and the trigger was fine.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The price seems "ok" to me but it's hard to imagine firing a 3.75" 454 Casull, so it's moot to me. I'd install the 45LC cylinder and never look back. I like the black Micarta grip and think it's a worthwhile upgrade. Action job I go back and forth on. I did not buy the action job on two of my three 97's and the trigger was fine.

I got ya! Used FA are around the $2100 for the longer 6” barrel.

my other shop has a NEW field grade 454 plain jane 7.5” for around $2700. But it been in that shop for 6+ years.

I’ll just save up money and wait out the old fellow, let the broker know I have a active offer of $2800

 

[Bill M.]

Hunting I doubt if you are going to get more than 4 shots with a .454 at one time no matter how many rounds the gun carries.