Freedom Arms M97 Homage

As I sit here on a warm, rainy, and dreary day, the effects for cabin fever has set in. I've been searching through the forums and noticed that there's not been a thread dedicated to the M97. Freedom Arms needs no introduction, but I think the little M97 doesn't get much notoriety due to being in the shadows of it's big brother...the M83.

Now, I love the M83 and it's arguably the "Worlds Finest Revolver" and has taken every legal big game animal in the world, but the little M97 is just as "Fine". Once I purchased my first, I quickly became a fan of the small and lightweight package, not to mention it's superb accuracy!

Let's use this thread to post pics of your M97's and critters taken with them. I'll start...

My first M97 chambered in 45 Colt. It's topped with a JPoint reflex sight.


Maine Black Bear taken with a 250XTP over 20.5gr of 2400.


Texas hog taken with 250XTP over 20.5gr of 2400.


Illinois doe taken with 250XTP over 20.5gr of 2400.


My second M97 in 22LR/22Mag with black micarta grips, rounded butt and topped with w 2-6x Bushnell Elite.


Illinois Skirls...


Bandit...


Missouri Skirl...


Mississippi Skirl...


Wabbit...

Beautiful revolvers! And you obviously shoot them well! A Model 97 in .41 Mag. would be a wonderful addition.

I currently only own one model 97; a 5 1/2" .22 LR:


I hope to add two 5 1/2" Model 97's to my collection in the near future; a .327 Federal and a .44 Special . The .327 Federal is currently on order.

Thanks, Mark! I agree on the .41. It's on my list. I want a 7 1/2" octagon with jeweled hammer and trigger with ivory micarta grips.

That is nice! I'm envious about that .327, I want one of those as well. Dick Thompson's writings on the 32 has left me wanting one for a while now.

Great looking guns and knives. Thanks again for the advise and help.

Beautiful firearms! I own two, both 5 1/2 inch, a 44 spcl, and a 357 mag. I really like that J-Point on the 45 Colt. Where/who makes a mount for the M97?

I got my mount from freedom arms.

Beautiful!

What's the max pressure FA rates the M97 45 Colt?

Not positive, but I think it's just rated for the Ruger only loads. Anything more would be overexciting to participate in

Nice guns, knives, animals, and idea, KRal!

Great idea KRal! Hmmm, a M97 in 41 you say?

Breaking in the FA M97 in 41



More use...


and more...


and more...


and...


One of my favorites to carry afield!

This has a .22 mag cylinder as well and shoots better than me. I've since put a scope on it so it's appearance has changed. I've got another is .44 special but have neglected to photograph it apparently.

That's a gorgeous 22...sure would like to have one like that...

Dur, your 41 has been proven! It needs a vacation trip to Texas and introduced to a big whitetail

SChunter, You're killing me with that FA 97 in .41 Mag!! Nice looking piece and obviously a killing machine. Well done.

Kim - she's been to TX, but only been used on does and hogs there. So far.

Mark - it has been one of my favorites. So much so, I'm struggling not to take her to Iowa later in December. Right now, a pair of Mod 83's are on the dance card.

If it made the Iowa trip, what would be your choice of ammo?

KRal - I've had tremendous success with Speer 210 GDHP, both in factory and reloaded configuration. That'd be first choice given my experiences.

I have a bunch of the 210 XTP as well, but James' use of the Swift has me wanting to try that one. And of course, your experimentation with the Barnes.

Guess I need a couple more FA 41's, each set up for different ammo

the m-97 that tugs at my heart is a 22lr/mag......

Love the 97

X2

I enjoy Ruger and FA single action revolvers but the FA 97 is my favorite gun of any type. A 5.5" 44 special has been my "go to" deer hunting gun for several years now. I've had excellent success with this revolver with iron sights ( green fiber optic ) but the adjustable Trijicon RMR is even better. It's much better than irons early and late in the day and can still be carried in a belt holster.
Of course, this revolver can only be appreciated by a handloader. If I couldn't load then I would be looking for an FA 97 in 41 mag.

Would for to see some pics staring the 44 spec.

I hope you'll forgive me but I don't generally post pics. In this case you're not missing much because it is almost identical to yours! The RMR is shaped only slightly different - it is a touch longer filling the flat on the front of the FA base. I think the combo is about as good as it gets for offhand shooting in the woods. You'd probably need a scope AND a rest to shoot better in the field.

I have a M97 in .357 with 5 1/2? octogon bbl and a 45 Colt with 5 1/2 round barrel. Both with Trijicon RMR and FA mount. I love shooting them and have found comfortable and heavy loads for both. I used to have an 83 454/45Colt and traded it for these but am thinking I may want one again. I don?t like collecting things though so I will have to wait until I find that I need it. KRal, I will see if I can post some pics with the Trijicon.

You guy?s have some sweet guns!

This was a thread from a little over a year ago. Surely there have been some more M97's added to our collection somewhere in that timeframe!! Let's see 'em!!!

How about a 327 Federal?

Ooooooh weee! That's a dandy, DH. My next FA M97 will most likely be a .327 - that is, unless I run across a .41 mag first.

We need a shooting report.

DARREL H: WOW, A REALLY BEAUTIFUL REVOLVER. WHAT HAVE YOU TAKEN WITH IT? WHAT DO YOU SHOOT IN IT?

Thanks guys! This one has been in the safe since late summer/early fall last year and has yet to be shot. I hope to rectify that soon...

Sweet looking gun!

Sweet!!!

DANG YOU DARRELL!!!!

That's a caliber I REALLY want. You just ruined me. Octagon and all. That's just awesome!!

Some way, some how, I will have a 97 with a 5 1/2" octagon barrel chambered in 22lr/22mag, and black micarta grips, someday.

One of my favorites.

Earlier this year I started on a quest to find myself a FA 97 in the 45 Colt Caliber. But my mind was changed.
I spoke with the one of the folks at FA. and di find out that for a fact that the 97 in 45 caliber is rated at 50,000PSI.
The problem comes in with the cylinder length. The longest COAL that can be used is 1.600 That knocks out a lot of the heavier loads, that can be used in a Ruger. EX: a 335 gr Leadhead bullet. I will say this. That particular load in my 4 5/8 Ruger is quite lively. A 260-265gr bullet should take care of most things addressed with the 97. And if you shop around you should be able to find a few bullets that are made specifically for the FA 97.

Charles

New photo...

Very nice Kim.

Ruger "only" loads in a .45 Colt 97 will give plenty of gusto. With them, your hand will give out before the gun does.
With all due respect, I can't accept the claim of a 50,000 psi rating for a 97 in .45 Colt..

I know the model 97 are strong but I wouldn't run the 45 colt above 25,000 psi. I agree with 500WE it will have plenty of gusto at Ruger loads.
I have three of the model 97's 5 1/2" in 22lr, a 7 1/2" 22lr/22mag and a 5 1/2" in 44 special. All are absolute task drivers. Would love too have one in 41 mag.

I agree with Ken ...and I?d love to see someone hang on to a M97 at those pressures; they?d better be wearing a football helmet😜