Where to buy a Freedom Arms

[Paul7]

Yes they are different beasts.
I don't have a Colt SAA but I'm seriously thinking of getting one but it will cost me almost as much as an FA model 83 premier grade and I think I'd rather have a 44 Magnum FA model 83 premier grade to go along with my 454 casull FA. For practical purposes I do not doubt the Freedom Arms will far exceed the colts SAA, so in what ways is a Colt third generation as good or better?

Appearance, bluing and color case hardening and history.

 

[Paul7]

I never considered the Colt SAA and an FA to even come close to scratching the same itch.

Agreed, when recently looking for a high end .22 revolver I bought a used Korth for about the same price, every bit as good as a FA if not better, impressive bluing, and much easier to load/unload. When shooting 200 rounds a session that makes a difference. I have a Colt SAA for that itch.

 

[CraigC]

Not "as good or better", but different. Different guns for different purposes. FA's are wonderfully built, accurate sixguns but they're also a bit sterile. Great if all you want is stainless steel. I've had stainless revolvers since I was 12yrs old but as years pass by, I want to spend less and less time with them. This is one reason why I have but one FA and plain few others in stainless. If FA would see fit to produce their guns in carbon steel with Turnbull finishes, I'd have half a dozen. I will say that the domestic USFA's rival Freedom Arms for precision of manufacture.




The FA is a great heavy duty hunting gun but as an every day belt gun, they're a bit much. Not that I can't carry a heavy sixgun, I carried a 4lb Dragoon for years but what's the point in carrying a 50oz FA when a 36oz SAA will do the job? A lightweight SAA on the hip is easily forgotten about. In the lower 48, a 180gr at 1200fps out of a .38-40, or a 250gr at 900fps out of a .44Spl, .44-40 or .45Colt does everything that needs doing.

 

[Huntolive]

Can Colt 3rd generation SAA 45 Colt or 357 even come close to the accuracy of Freedom Arms model 83?.
Or is the colt saa more of a show and cuddle gun it looks beautiful and harkens back to an older time but spends most of his time in a safe?

 

[Huntolive]

What issues of durability or problems that my likely to run in with the Colt SAA.
I've never had any issues whatsoever with any of my 454 casull/45 Colt model 83s.
I'm thinking of getting FA in 44 Magnum.
Either that or the Colt SAA in 45 colt it's a beautiful one in essentially new condition with nice deep blueing.
But the premier grade model 83 I think looks about as good and I doubt we'll ever have any mechanical issues ever.

 

[BigSteve57]

Not "as good or better", but different. Different guns for different purposes. FA's are wonderfully built, accurate sixguns but they're also a bit sterile. Great if all you want is stainless steel. I've had stainless revolvers since I was 12yrs old but as years pass by, I want to spend less and less time with them. This is one reason why I have but one FA and plain few others in stainless. If FA would see fit to produce their guns in carbon steel with Turnbull finishes, I'd have half a dozen. I will say that the domestic USFA's rival Freedom Arms for precision of manufacture.

View attachment 980977


The FA is a great heavy duty hunting gun but as an every day belt gun, they're a bit much. Not that I can't carry a heavy sixgun, I carried a 4lb Dragoon for years but what's the point in carrying a 50oz FA when a 36oz SAA will do the job? A lightweight SAA on the hip is easily forgotten about. In the lower 48, a 180gr at 1200fps out of a .38-40, or a 250gr at 900fps out of a .44Spl, .44-40 or .45Colt does everything that needs doing.

View attachment 980978

That's some nice looking leather there!

 

[Obturation]

10" field grade m83 in 454 casull. As I mentioned before, bought used but it had been fired maybe 20 rounds - paid under $1k. I'll get more, when I find them for a good price!

 

[Huntolive]

Does anybody have any experience with what the real differences between a field grade model 83 and a premier grade?
I know the premier grade has a nicer polish nicer finished steel but functionally speaking and accuracy-wise is there any real difference?
Is there any appreciable difference in the cut of the metal or the smoothness and fit of the parts?
Or is it really just the shine of the gun?

 

[Trashyshoots]

When I replace my single 6 someday I'll grab one. I would call them OP.

 

[CraigC]

Can Colt 3rd generation SAA 45 Colt or 357 even come close to the accuracy of Freedom Arms model 83?.
Or is the colt saa more of a show and cuddle gun it looks beautiful and harkens back to an older time but spends most of his time in a safe?

Nothing is as accurate as a Freedom Arms. Does that mean everything else is useless? No.

Did I ever say anything about safe queens? I don't own a single handgun that won't spend the day in a holster.

What issues of durability or problems that my likely to run in with the Colt SAA.
I've never had any issues whatsoever with any of my 454 casull/45 Colt model 83s.
I'm thinking of getting FA in 44 Magnum.
Either that or the Colt SAA in 45 colt it's a beautiful one in essentially new condition with nice deep blueing.
But the premier grade model 83 I think looks about as good and I doubt we'll ever have any mechanical issues ever.

The bolt/trigger spring is the weakest link in the Colt design. That said, I've been shooting them since age 12 and have only had to replace one. The music wire replacement spring eliminates this potential weakness. I've also replaced exactly one hand spring but those rarely break and that was a high mileage gun of a friend's.

FA's are not perfect either. Broken firing pins are not unheard of and their tight tolerances can work against you in the field.

 

[tuckerdog1]

Does anybody have any experience with what the real differences between a field grade model 83 and a premier grade?
I know the premier grade has a nicer polish nicer finished steel but functionally speaking and accuracy-wise is there any real difference?
Is there any appreciable difference in the cut of the metal or the smoothness and fit of the parts?
Or is it really just the shine of the gun?

I believe the warranty is different. If I recall correctly, warranty is for original purchaser. Field grade is 1 year & premiere is lifetime. As far as build & function, they are the same, except for polish & grips.