What's so special about Freedom Arms?

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

What about the BFR, I handled one a while back and the workmanship was excellent, are Freedom Arms really worth 2 to 3 times the cost. I've never had the opportunity to see one in person.

 

[SAWBONES]

What about the BFR, I handled one a while back and the workmanship was excellent, are Freedom Arms really worth 2 to 3 times the cost.

Dunno about 2-3 times the cost, but having handled both, I'd say a BFR compares to a Freedom Arms as a Ford Taurus compares to a Maserati.
Approximately. Nothing wrong with the Taurus, but the Maserati is in a completely different league.

 

[RancidSumo]

They are made in Freedom, Wyoming. The gunstore here in Rock Springs, WY sells them for $1,300 new. Is that a fair price?

 

[hksw]

They are made in Freedom, Wyoming. The gunstore here in Rock Springs, WY sells them for $1,300 new. Is that a fair price?

What are the specs of the gun? Sounds like a Field Grade (1 year warranty) 83 or possibly a fixed sight 97.

 

[BroughtEnoughGun]

I found a slightly used filed grade in .454 casull with a 7.5" bbl. I was happy because it was the size and caliber I wanted to have ordered for me, but since I got it used, it costed me $1200 out the door. Pretty good deal. Now Im going to Put an SSK TSOB mount on it and the Leupold VX-III 2.5-8x scope, and have some minor cosmetic work done to it such jeweling and polishing the trigger and hammer, and some pinstripes on the cylinder and barrel.

 

[BlkHawk73]

recently looked at a Freedom Arms SAA clone in .45 Colt. Nice gun...but more than $2,000?! To my untrained eye it looks like a Blackhawk. Sure, it's probably more finished inside, but come on, I can buy a pickup truck for less than $2,000!

What makes them worth so freakin' much? I think I could spend $500 at a gunsmith and have a Blackhawk that shoots just as sweet and looks even better. What am I missing?

You can buy a BH and have an excellant, strong revolver. You could buy a FA and have a finely tuned, finely fitted and super strong revolver. As good as the Rugers are the FAs are the creme de la creme of that niche. The old you get what you pay for fits here very nicely. Kinda like buying a $2000 truck - you don't get much.
$500 in Ruger work isn't that much either if it's from one of the better gunsmiths that specializes in the Rugers.

 

[wcwhitey]

The one and only Freedom Arms I have had the pleasure to shoot was the Model 97. Hard to explain but you can feel the quality. I am not up on all the particulars but I can see why people sing their praises. I would love to find one at a reasonable price.

 

[Taffnevy]

Are they only sold new through Freedom Arms, or do they have distributors as well?

 

[farscott]

The Freedom Arms web site mentions a list of distributors and gives a number to call to get that list. That being said my FFL just called FA and ordered my guns.

 

[Taffnevy]

So is it possible to order a new gun to your specs at a price lower than that listed on the site?

 

[Ultima-Ratio]

The Line Boring Myths-

Firstly, IF the FA needs line boring it would seem that each frame may have variances from the original blue print?

Having a bit of shop time and seen parts machined to a tenth of a thousandth even on a rotary vice fixture as used by several smiths in making their own five shot cylinders.

BTW, no pics of a MOA FA group? The pic from Gun Blast was simply underwhelming, most bullseye shooters I know would not keep that target.

Having shot dozens of both line bored and non line bored guns over the years I'll quote John Taffin, each gun is a rule unto itself.

For Jim March, MOA has been done repeatedly with sixguns, I first read about it a gunrag circa 1956-1957 referring to the then new model 29 S&W and I'll wager it was done in the 30s with the then new model 27.

 

[hksw]

So is it possible to order a new gun to your specs at a price lower than that listed on the site?

You could try going through your gun dealer/shop. When I ordered an 83 in .475L, I had specified 7½" octagonal barrel through a local gun shop and, IIRC, it was slightly less than the list price with options cost.

 

[Gator]

The Line Boring Myths

Line boring produces a much more accurate revolver, that is no myth. But it is more expensive and time consuming to do and contributes to the greater cost of the gun.

 

[MCgunner]

Again, I can see the difference. If I had the money and it was no big deal to me, I'd buy the FA in a heartbeat; it's truly a perfect gun. But Ruger sure does make a pretty damn good revolver for those of us who don't have or want to spend quite so much. It's all up to you.

I agree 100 percent with this. My Blackhawks will outshoot me, at least with iron sights. I will have an FA in .454 some day, though, when I can more afford it.

 

[tipoc]

I've seen guns with better finishes on them than the FA guns. I've noticed they often could use a deburring around the loading gate, rear sights, and front sights. The action is also unique unlike either Ruger or Colts. The tolerences are rather tight and can be unforgiving of dirty powder, mud, etc.

It's in the shooting that they excel. They are more accurate than your average production single action, for about the same cost and have a guarantee that is excellent.

The FA guns are semi custom production guns to get the same level of accuracy you need a custom built gun.

tipoc