First this is a great site as I can see alot of FA owners here. So I have bought a Model 83 in 44 Magnum, NIB, 10 years old. Anything I need to know? Second I will use this to hunt Whitetail and Hogs in SC. I am planning an Action Job and Scope Installation. What mount is recommended? I have checked with SSK about the T'SOB and it requires another screw into the barrel. What are others using for a mount? Would it be better to go with a simpler mount like the Lovell or Leupold? I am between a Ultradot or a 2x/4x scope for optics. TNX guys. BTW it is 75 degrees here in Feb

I use the T'SOB on my 454, but do not know about this extra screw in the barrel you speak of.... This may just be a method that JD Jones uses to install the mount, but I don't think it's necassery.

I have not heard of the extra screw either, but I do like my t'sob base. gives you more options as far as scope placement (i.e. how far forward and back it can go)

I also kinda like the looks of the Lovell base with the scopes you mentioned but I do not have any experience with it.

I have the Lovell on mine and it fits so well. It looks great too. Only problem is that the Ultra Dot won't fit the lovell base. There is not enough room between the rings for the turants to fit....I learned that the hardway. My 6 year old now has an Ultra dot mounted to his "AirSoft" gun...lol

Sc1911cwp,

I've got the T'SOB on both my 10" Casull and my 7.5" 44. The Lovell mount is on my M97 - I definitely prefer the smaller profile mount on the smaller frame FA, but like the beefiness of the T'SOB on the longer barreled 83's.

What barrel length is your 44? If on the shorter side (6" or less), I'd lean torwards the Lovell or the Leupy...longer, T'SOB. Just aesthetics more than anything.

And hello from another South Carolina whitetail and hog hunter!

I have both T'SOBs & Lovell's on my FAs. The 44 is not a big banger, thus I would opt for the Lovell for a scope. IMHO, they look nice & I have never had a problem with one of them.

If someone at SSK told you that then they must be new. There is no screw into the barrel for the SSK mount (order it directly from Freedom Arms). I would agree that the Lovell is the mount for a 97 but I do like the SSK mount on my 83 if the barrel is 7 1/2 or longer. If it was 6" then I would use the Lovell for aesthetics. I don't know this for certain because I've never measured it, but my impression is that the scope is closer to the bore with the SSK mount.

I bought a used FA 83 .454 about 15 years ago and it had (I believe) a Leupold mount on it and there was an extra hole drilled in the barrel. I took the mount off and used the factory irons and killed a bull elk with it and then sold it so I could buy my FA .500 Wyoming Express.

SSK does add an extra screw but you can buy from FA as mentioned with out that being an issue. They cost a little more from FA but nowhere near the cost of shipping the gun to and from SSK. I prefer the TSOB but had a Lovell on my 10" 44 and it worked great. They make it in house now and the fit is so tight you will have to bump it into the sight trough. I prefer the Leupold 4x personally.

TNX for the replies. I spoke to JD himself and he was the one who mentioned the shipping and needing to put an extra screw in it. I was surprised as I thought the thing would just screw on. It may, but this IS my first FA. Mine is a 44 with a six inch barrel. I don't want to turn this gun into a bottomless pit for upgrades. I would like to mount either an Ultra-dot on maybe a smaller Red Dot. Seems like nothing is cheap, easy, or inexpensive with a FA:) Can't stay with iron signts as my eyes are getting older.

There are a lot of us in that boat ;-)

You can get the FA base for a JP Enterprises reflex if you prefer.

They are OK. But not like a scope for me.

With the potential accuracy of an FA, you will not get the benefit without a scope, or at least I do not!!!!!!

JD is a friend of mine. I order FA mounts from FA.

So without buggering up the pistol, there are holes already to accept a base like a S&W under the rear sight? I see that Leupold also makes a base. I think if I go with a scope it will be the Bushnell. I understand the bell is bigger and easier to sight. Only I need to make sure I get the correct ring height if using anything other than a Lovell. The Lovell mount looks good, however it looks like it sits higher than a T'SOB, which I like as it sits lower. I have toyed with the idea of a red dot as I have an Ultradot, which I really like. Someone said it won't fit a Lovell mount. Other ideas are a small dot like Leopold or JP. I just wish there were others around me in SC who I could talk to. Hey, keep the info coming in. TNX

Remember that you will need to access the hammer spur, so don't get your scope so low that you can't get a gloved finger in there. JMHO.