Barrel length for my FA83 454
#120501
10/25/2012 9:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5
DanWalker
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Hi guys, I will be sending my FA83 back to star valley next month to have some length trimmed off of the 10" barrel it currently wears. I'm trying to figure out if I should let them stop at 7" or trim it back to 6". It is currently wearing a Millet red dot, but I'm seriously considering mounting a leupold deltapoint or similar reflex sight. I'm wanting to increase the packability of this gun, without detracting from it's shootability. I'm interested to hear your opinions on this. I know a 4" gun should have the same mechanical accuracy as a 10" gun, but the shorter gun is harder to shoot more accurately.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: DanWalker]
#120504
10/25/2012 10:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
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I like a 6" barrel myself. My Bisley was 7-1/2" and I trimmed it to 6" and am much happier.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: s4s4u]
#120506
10/25/2012 11:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
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500WE
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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After about 50 years of preferring 7 1/2" single actions, I decided several years ago that the 6" 83's were (more) perfect for me at this point in my life.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: 500WE]
#120507
10/25/2012 11:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Whitworth
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I really like the 6-inch .454 FA 83 I am currently playing with. It balances really well.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Whitworth]
#120511
10/26/2012 12:02 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Gary
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Well if you're considering changing it why not 5 1/2". I really like the aesthetics of that length.
You can't wait any longer. Join the NRA and start writing your Congressmen and Senators.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Gary]
#120521
10/26/2012 2:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 293
Muddy
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Well if you're considering changing it why not 5 1/2". I really like the aesthetics of that length. +1 Dan
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Muddy]
#120523
10/26/2012 2:57 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,101
Bearbait in NM
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Another thing to consider is to make sure any of the states you hunt will work with the length you choose. And perhaps states you are thinking of hunting ;^) I love my 4 3/4's but it tends to be more of a companion at that length, and less so a dedicated type hunting handgun, although many might disagree.
Craig
Northern born and Southern bred
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Bearbait in NM]
#120537
10/26/2012 1:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5
DanWalker
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Thanks for the input guys. Bearbait, you make the point I was wondering about. This is a dedicated hunting handgun. I have other guns for carry and trail use. I just want to trim this gun down to a more manageable size for hunting. A 10" tube is a pain to lug around, but a joy to shoot when a solid rest is available. A short gun is a joy to carry, but a struggle to shoot accurately with the same ease as the longer gun. I'm trying to strike a balance.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: DanWalker]
#120540
10/26/2012 2:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,101
Bearbait in NM
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Dan,
You know what they say, it's harder to put an inch back on then it is to take another off. Well, not harder, just more money ;^)
While I would never say that you should pick a holster then match the gun length, I do believe that the way you carry (or plan on trying) might have some impact. Case in point, a highrise hip holster gets kinda tricky at 6 inches. At 7 inches, a highrise will have to have a reasonable cut-out at the front of the holster unless you are a gymnist. A cross draw is a snap with just about any length. A cowboy rig is easy with any length, but if your plan is to wear the rig for extended periods, I personally think cowboy rigs suck. Unless you ride a horse, cowboy rigs are always in the way, and you will bang the gun butt on everything ;^)
So kinda hard to say 6 or 7, for you, but for a dedicated hunting gun, I might lean towards the 7, knowing that the 7 will take a bit more thought to carry than a 6.
Craig
Northern born and Southern bred
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Bearbait in NM]
#120541
10/26/2012 2:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Here's a 6-inch 83 in .454. It's a good length for the FA. I like 5 1/2-inch barrels on Rugers.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Whitworth]
#120543
10/26/2012 3:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
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i like teh 7.5" length of mine best all around, but i end up carrying the 4 3/4" or the 6" most. somewhere in there works best.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: tradmark]
#120559
10/27/2012 12:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 830
rlb
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I would try it at 8" then make a final decision from there. Just a couple of inches could make the difference you are looking for. I am going to start at 12" on my 454 and decide from there. The only advantage that I have is that I am going to do all of the work on it. JMO
Last edited by rlb; 10/27/2012 12:25 AM.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: rlb]
#120565
10/27/2012 1:32 AM
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Joined: Oct 2005
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DanWalker
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I like the heft of the longer barrel, and am currently leaning towards 7". I will be using optical sights, so that negates the sight alignment criticality that comes with a shorter sight radius. 6" is appealing, but I just don't want to cut the barrel so short that the gun loses it's steadiness in my hand when firing from field positions. I don't get many rested shots when hunting here in Wyoming. My normal firing position is seated, with my wrists resting on my knees.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: DanWalker]
#120575
10/27/2012 11:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
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Toss up between 6 and 7.5 here - if you think you may transition from the red dot / reflex and switch to a conventional scope in the future, I'd stay with the 7.5. The 6" guns with a reflex style sight are a great combo. My 6" Linebaugh may be wearing one next season...unfortunately I have some really nice gunleather that fits an unscoped 6" FA! Guess I'll have to get another. I love rationalizing gun purchases
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: SChunter]
#120584
10/27/2012 4:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048
wvhitman
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This 7 1/2" .454 with Bushnell 2-6 Elite has taken over 50 deer, 300+ groundhogs, and 3 1/2 dozen turkeys. It's my most versitile revolver. I carry it in a hip holster without any problems.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Gary]
#120602
10/28/2012 12:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
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Well if you're considering changing it why not 5 1/2". I really like the aesthetics of that length. Totaly agree 5 1/2 is the perfect length
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: jwp475]
#120610
10/28/2012 3:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
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Well if you're considering changing it why not 5 1/2". I really like the aesthetics of that length. Totaly agree 5 1/2 is the perfect length Unless you want to hunt deer in MD: Any modern handgun used for deer and bear hunting must have a barrel length of 6 inches or more and use ammunition which produces a muzzle energy of 700 foot-pounds or more.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: s4s4u]
#120628
10/28/2012 7:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755
johnwilliams
Shooting Master
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5 1/2 would be perfect for packing around with a good belt holster
H.H.I.#8190 Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things,and by Him all things consist!
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: s4s4u]
#120656
10/29/2012 12:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
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Well if you're considering changing it why not 5 1/2". I really like the aesthetics of that length. Totaly agree 5 1/2 is the perfect length Unless you want to hunt deer in MD: Any modern handgun used for deer and bear hunting must have a barrel length of 6 inches or more and use ammunition which produces a muzzle energy of 700 foot-pounds or more.
I can make it without hunting in MD
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: jwp475]
#120660
10/29/2012 12:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
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Well if you're considering changing it why not 5 1/2". I really like the aesthetics of that length. Totaly agree 5 1/2 is the perfect length Unless you want to hunt deer in MD: Any modern handgun used for deer and bear hunting must have a barrel length of 6 inches or more and use ammunition which produces a muzzle energy of 700 foot-pounds or more.
I can make it without hunting in MD
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: Barrel length for my FA83 454
[Re: Whitworth]
#121709
11/11/2012 2:12 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 51
mmkt
journeyman
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journeyman
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I like the balance of 5 1/2 or 6".
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