well I went to the local gun shop to see what they had and to get a quote on a bfr. I found out the bfr would cost me 850. I started looking down and I found a few options, one of which really hit me hard. first I was checking out a new ruger charger, they are a pretty cool little pistol. It was 260 dollars used. then I looked at their encore pistols. they had a 308 encore for 425. It was a nice pistol and i actually really liked it. I also have a couple hundred 308 rounds already. but it isnt legal in ohio for deer without a straight walled cartridge barrel. then I saw something that trully lit my eyes up. there under the counter was a premier grade freedom arms 7.5 inch 454 casull with a matching cylinder in 45 acp. I have never seen one in person and I had to check it out. apon looking at it I could just tell this was the best built revovler I have ever handled. it was truly amazing. then I looked at the price, 1550 bucks. this is around 700 bucks more then I had planned to spend on a pistol,but oviously this is no ordinary pistol. looking now I can see that a 454 is much more practical then a 500,plus it is small enough I could easily pack it, just like you guys said haha. dont you hate when you have to admit someone else is right ?? but is the cost worth it ? I know this is a good deal for this pistol,expecially with the extra cylinder. I dont quite have all the money to pay for it but I could scrounge enough up. what should I do ? spend the extra money and buy the absoulte best thing I can ? is it that good to be worth the price ? thanks for your help SS

first of all, you will never be disappointed by the FA purchase. retail on that with the extra cylinder is over 2500 so quite a deal. secondly, with the 454 ya can kill anything and have a wide range of loads but i have a 10" gun with a 45 acp cylinder and i can tell ya it shoots really accurately with that cylinder and it's a great great way to build up to the full bore loads. remember you can always send it back and get a 45 colts cylinder as well, but for practice that 45 acp cylinder is about perfect.

SS,IMHO You can't go wrong w/this FA! especially with the xtra cyl.You'll have the acp cyl. for plinking and small game,45colt for med.game and 454 for the big boys in the Caddilac of revolvers! I have a blackhawk convertible 45c & 45acp and love It! Great find!You won't regret it!

If it's in good condition, it's a very good buy.

That sounds like a very good deal on that FA! If you can round up all the money snag it up and enjoy. You're a young man the purchase price will only hurt once. You'll have it the rest of your life to enjoy!

I think you should tell me where it is, I'll go buy it, and you won't have to think about what to do with it any more!!! :-)

Seriously, I've handled a couple FA's myself, and they are hard to let go. I'd jump on it in a heartbeat, and the 460 I'm getting already shoots the 454. But still, I'd still take that one!!

Freedom Arms by far makes the best handgun money can buy that isnt a custom build. You CANNOT go wrong with one of their guns. The 454 offers so much versatility in that you have so much in the way of ammo you can choose from. You can shooth 454, 45 colt, 45 auto rim, 45 schofield and you get the ACP cylinder with it. If you are handloading you have even more controle over how hard you push what loads. At $1500 it is the one gun solution to any problem you may face in the woods anywhere. Nothing in North Amereica can take a properly placed 454. My advice?? Go buy it and enjoy it!

You could get a BFR in the shorter frame version chambered in 454 without spending more than you wanted to spend. The BFR is an excellent revolver in terms of accuracy and strength

The FA-83 is a higher end revolver no doubt and if you want one and can afford the 1550 then by all means "got for it"

I agree with jwp the BFR is a very nice revolver I had a 475L that I sold and really regret it now,that said they arent a FA,if you dont mind spending the money go for it.

You really can't go wrong with the BFR -- best single action revolver at that price point IMO.

They are a fine gun, but the one I shot was the most unpleasant experience I have had shooting a revolver. It was a 475 Linebaugh. That grip is miserable, IMO.

Yes, the FA is worth the money. If you can save up... Go for it, you won't regret it.

They may be askin' 1550, but I have never known a gun dealer that didn't add a little "cushion" to the sticker. You may well be able to knock 10% off of that number with a big stack of green in your hand ;-)

Well, here's how I look at it. A FA, is the best of the best. No doubt. Period.

The one thing I don't like about them is that you can only carry them with 4 shots. I like my six shooter to have 6 bullets in it. No big deal, just personal preference.

What you have to decide, is weather or not the extra money is worth the extra fit and finish, because that is pretty much what you are buying.

MOST people in HUNTING situations are simply not skilled enough shots to ever notice the tiny accuracy edge the FA has over a BFR.

Heck you could get the BFR and have enough left over to get that Encore. I carry a scoped Encore, and an iron sighted SBH Hunter, and feel great because I feel like all the bases are covered. Six gun for short and fast, and the Encore for the buck that's in the next field over.... And there is nothing I could do with a FA that I couldn't do with my Hunter in the woods.

This isn't a knock on the FA......I'll own one someday......I just don't have enough guns yet.

Have fun choosing, and pics would be great!!! Good luck.

MN

I agree that out of the box, there is no finer finished or put together revolver than FA's offerings. To argue the point is the height of absurd. But I have to say that I have had the opportunity to test/shoot/hunt rather extensively with a number of BFRs and while the front sight is cheap, the grip frame sucks (for me at least) and the finish isn't FA quality, they shoot lights-out. In fact, I have yet to see another brand of revolver that will consistently shoot as well as the BFRs. I am not exaggerating nor trying to start an argument, but these things really do shoot out of the box. Now, if I can only figure out how to graft the FA grip frame onto the BFR......

Well guys, I just got back from the gun shop. I put in my first 500 dollar downpayment ! I can't wait till I get to take my new freedom arms home and try it out. I found out the story on it, guy bought it new and never fired it,he sold it and second guy shot it 6 times then sold it to gun shop. So it is still brand new. 45 acp cylinder hasn't even ever been put in the gun. So I'm thrilled to say the least.in the next month or so I will pay the other 1160 bucks and take it home.thanks for all the suggestions guys,I definetly think I made the right decision to pay the extra money to get the best.thanks again,SS

such a steal. congrats

Congratulations!! I am sure you will not be disappointed!