Freedom Arms Best

I enjoy Freedom Arms revolvers. I do not think they are the only choice and they may not be the best choice for any one person. I have come to appreciate them more and more after bouncing back and forth between FA, Ruger and S&W in my shooting and hunting. I think that Freedom Arms best all around revolvers are the FA83 in 454 and the FA97 in 44 special with barrels of 6" and 5.5" respectively. The cylinder size, strength and weight of these guns are perfect for these calibers. What's your favorite?

I also truley love my FA. I've only had her since this past fall, and being the only FA I have, I don't have alot to compare her to as far as FA's go.

I also own a TC, Ruger SRH, and Ruger Blackhawk, I enjoy shooting them also, and had sent a ton of rounds down my SRH (454 Casull)'s barrel. I will always think very highly of that gun, but there is something about a FA..

Please take my opinion for what it's worth, as I don't have nearly as much experience as alot of the guys on this sight do. To be honest, I could be considered an beginner when compared to the guys around here..

i've kinda had them all, the things i think are not controversial is that they on average are easily the most accurate revolvers i've seen. i don't have a one that is not a shooter. i agree with your choices but i'd ad the 41 mag in the 97. that said, i really do think if ya want to carry 5 in the cylinder, which i've never needed yet, but if ya feel 5 is better then why wouldn't 6 in a SRH be even better, but i digress, i feel that if ya get a 50 cal then having additional cylinder length is a good thing to use even heavier bullets. that advantage has to be weighed against the accuracy and feel of the FA. that said, for my kiddos i've always appreciate the safety of a transfer bar and a free wheeling cylinder whenever the loading gate is open for ease of operation for them. the FA system is easy enough to learn but when youre taking a 14 or 15 year old the added peace of mind is kinda nice.

They are by far the best off the shelf revolver made bar none. With that said a "properly" built Custom Ruger or BFR will run right with them and can even be make smoother where the action is concerned. That is not a shot at FA it's real simple, in my opinion FA over engineered the action and the more parts you have the more friction and the higher likelyhood of a failure. All of these guns have pros and cons, they all start with cast frames that are machined and FA does a better job of cleaning up their frames than Ruger which is why I true up all the surfaces in the cylinder windon on a Ruger when I build one. Ruger builds a much larger number of guns and at a much lower cost so therefore the tolerances aren't there. As far as strength a SS frame is going to be a little stronger than a chromoly but while the FA is a little stronger than the Ruger your going to have serious pressure signs way before either one fails. The BFR has the strongest frame on the market but like the Ruger it's tolerances could be improved and can be by a good gunsmith. It just depends on what your after, an FA can normally be found on a shelf whereas a custom may take a couple years to get built. The two main things I like about the Customs are first the action can be made to feel superior and second you can get them in blue giving them the classic six gun look. You can get both made to order but basicly you can't go wrong either way as long as you have a "competent" gunsmith build your gun.

I have been deemed "one of the FA addicts." I own several FA revolvers, along with various Rugers (stock & custom), Colts, Smiths, TCs(contender & encores) & FA single shots. My FA revolvers range from a M97 in 327 up to a 500WE. However, my favorite handgun of all types, makes & models is oldest of my FA 41 mags (I have 3). It is the most accurate of all my revolvers & a delight to shoot. It has never let me down when shooting at an animal.

Edit: I have been thinking about this post & decided I needed to explain myself to some of the newer members. Please do not take this as boasting about my guns. I am old. My family is raised. My children are educated. I still work & make a decent living. I do not scrimp on "my passion" at this time in my life. Also, the FA revolvers that I now own have been accumulated over almost 20 yrs --- many of them were previously owned. My children "may" inherit mostly guns!!!!! LOL

I have too have Rugers and Smiths in addition to my FA guns but for the money involved in a FA vs. a Ruger custom I'll pick the FA and there are a lot of reasons for that. As far as action types go I like the single better. I completely agree with Oscar in that they aren't for everyone for various reasons too. That's the beauty of living in a free country.

I love all my FA's, but the one that never fails to put a smile on my face when I pick it up, is my M97 45C w/5.5" barrel and a Jpoint sight. Don't make me choose between them, though...

I only own one, a FA Model 83. Six inch barrel, express sights among others, Bushnell variable mounted at this time on a T'SOB rail, Micarta grips, action job and converted to the new style firing pin. It's in 44 Magnum. I really like it. Except for giving me difficulty with my LSWC reloads, it's great.

Hmmmm...no denying it. A confirmed FA junky here.

Just "upgraded" my 10" Field Grade .454 to a 10" Premier Grade .454 - that was the gun that started the FA sickness for me. The M97 .41 is one of my favorites, but I'm very similar to KRal...don't make me choose. They all have their place.

Actually, I know which one is my favorite. My next one!

Actually, I know which one is my favorite. My next one! [/quote]


Lol, never a more true statement ever made

I am most surprised to see that the FA 97 in 41 mag is the favorite revolver for at least two guys here. I thought the cylider might be a little short for that cartridge. What's the barrel length you like? What's your favorite bullet/ammo? I wish I had one to play with!

I bought my M97 while hunting for a M83 in .41 - found a deal that was too good to pass up. Regarding the cylinder, it may be short if I were shooting certain 250's out of it, but I've been very happy with the 210 gr Gold Dot's and XTP's out of my 7.5" M97 on both deer and hogs. I've got a Leupold 4X mounted in a Lovell mount.

I have owned 3 FA Model 83's; 2 in .454 and one in 500 WE. I sold one of the .454's to buy another gun as I didn't think I needed 2. And I sold the 500 WE so I could have a Custom .475 Linebaugh built on a Ruger Bisley frame.

I like them both, wouldn't want to choose just 1.

Heaven knows I'm not suggesting you give up your other revolvers! I'm just curious which FA configuration is your favorite. Is it an 83 or 97? What caliber, barrel length and sights do you like?

Oscar,

I have two M83s in 41 mag and one M97. All have 7 1/2" bbls. They were purchased as hunting guns. My wife used to shoot 41s with me but because of arthritis in her hands, she no longer enjoys the recoil. While I love my M97s (I have 3 - 327, 41, 45 Colt), my all time favorite is one of the M83 41s. It would be the last one to go.

I shoot 210 XTPs in all of my 41s. I load the M97 just a tad lighter than the 83s. Since I am not pushing the envelope with any of the loads, it is not really necessary to lower the powder charge for the M97. However, it is so cute, I just feel like doing that.

I agree with Gary, I love it that we have choices.

I have only one FA, it's a 83 Premier in 454 with a 7 1/2" barrel (no porting) with a TSOB mount weigand rings and a Burris 1.5-4x. I love it! I also have SBHH that is a bisley that I had before the FA. I thought that bisley grip was the do-all, end-all grip frame till I spent time behind my FA. got used to it very quickly and have to say that I think I actually like it better!

I have been living away from my old man's reloading equipment, so I don't get the time to play around as much as I would like, but so far my go to is the 265gr Swift A Frame over max H110. shoots great. excited to try some Barnes XPB sometime though

[quote=wtroper] However, my favorite handgun of all types, makes & models is oldest of my FA 41 mags (I have 3). It is the most accurate of all my revolvers & a delight to shoot. It has never let me down when shooting at an animal.


Could not have said it any better...However, after shooting SCHunter`s 500WE I may have to put some money away....

500WE ... 500WE... where have I heard that before?
They're all good.

I have a custom ruger bisley in 475 linebaugh being built. Of my several different rugers and my BFR, the BFR is the more accurate by a smidge. Plan to pick up a FA 41 mag. After seeing James pictures of all the game he's taken with his, I'm sold. And herring others here praise the 41, I think that seals the deal.