To start with, I've read nothing but, good about these revolvers! But, I don't think I'd buy one after researching them recently. I've been told that only four rounds should be carried in the cylinder? There's no firing pin block or other safety devices, stickly old style SA handguns. So, $2500 for a four shooter? Anyone who can shed some light on this, I for one would welcome their input, please.
I don't believe I've read this in any of the articles writen here? If the authors have mentioned it, I apologize.
I should also say, I've been fond of their 500 WE ever since I saw and read about them.
Steve

First off the FA-83 does indeed have a hammer block, they do not have a transfer bar system. The hammer block can break if dropped just so and an accidental discharge can occur

The FA's are precisely fit and finished and are very accurate as well as very strong. I own about 7 or so of them

The 500 WE is nothing more than a 500 JRH with a belt instead of a rim to head space on. The 500 JRH can be made from 500 S&w cases.

S.B.,

My advice is "do not buy one." They are addictive. I also own several. One is never enough.

The 500 WE is a fun round. I really have no need for a 50 cal handgun, but I have one. If one loads it hot enough, the recoil is very noticeable. LOL

I have hunted with FA revolvers numerous times. I have never needed all four rounds that were in the cylinder. For me, loading only four, is not an issue.

Well, considering a lot of folks here have single shot pistols that probably cost as much once all duded up, capacity seems like an odd requirement for a hunting handgun. And we have had more than a few conversations here about the FA and carrying methods.

If you are concerned about capacity for backup to defend yourself, there are plenty of suitable 6 shot revolvers and semi-autos. As I have noted in those mentioned threads, do your homework, understand any risks, and make your decision. There is not a gun made that you cannot have an accident with. I feel accidents are less about the gun, and more about the person.

Craig

Steve,

Wtroper is right, they are addictive. FA guns have a couple of advantages in my opinion. First is that you have an excellent handling gun in a smaller package. There are others that are more powerful, like the S&W's or even DA Rugers, but many of them feel unwieldy to me in the revolver platform. They also have the best fit & finish of any gun out there and, for the most part they are very accurate and with good technique and a scope will shoot under 2" at 100 yards. The grip frame on a FA with wood or micarta grips is simply the best there is for heavy recoiling cartriges.

You mentioned the 500 WE. I'm generally not a fan of 50 cal's and that one is no exception, the 475 Linebaugh or the 454 is a better choice if for no other reason than the proprietary nature of the 500 WE case. They are expensive, yes, but well worth it if you have the budget for it and want something more than a 44 Mag. in a single action.

the FA is the best. i hear the "only 4" argument made alot but no one feels they're undergunned with "only 5" when compared to a SRH ruger. i've never ever needed more than 4, really never needed more than 2. i've never had any handgun that if i throw a scope on it would shoot sub 1" groups. with FA i have 4. i've never had any more accurate than them. worth every penny imho.

if ya wanna 50 the WE is as good as anything, i'd get one, get a JRH cylinder made from jack huntington. i have no use for a 50 though, but they are fun.

If you need more than 4 shots of Casull or WE, you should do more practicing because a 5th shot probably wouldn't have helped

They are the best by far if the factory produced sixguns in my opinion. I actually prefer them to the full blown customs I've had built over the years. $2500 may seem expensive but that is just the starting point for custom sixguns and doesn't even figure in the cost of the base gun at $2500. So when you think about that, FA guns are a screaming deal.

I love my Freedom, but to me the actions always feel a bit clunky compared to those of my custom Rugers. I just prefer them. That said, you can't go wrong with either.

When you look at Freedom Arms fit & finish, super tight tolerances, and the fact they are linebored for accuracy, have really nice interchangable sight sets, top of the line factory optic mounts in a handful of styles, choice of grip materials, will rebarrel or upgrade existing gun, ... they stand alone. No other gun company offers you so many options. The only downside is price. If you shop around you can buy "used" at half price of new. And then if you have to selling it, you loose nothing.

No doubt. Out of the box, there is no equal in a number of areas.

As 240 mentioned, there are some really great deals out there if you look on used guns. Buddy just bought a nice octagon 475 new at less than dealer with an extra cylinder and a very nice used 500 with brass dies, etc much less than new. Just got to be ready when they pop up

Most definitely!

I am probally going to get heckled over this,

But I think fit and finish is bar none for out of box, though freedom's grips are a love or hate thing, for me I prefer a ruger bisely grip, and for price point I would prefer a custom ruger over an FA.

But all in all its personal and its what you prefer.....

Naw....

I agree completely, FWIW.

One point to consider, FA's can be purchased used for a considerable savings making them the best deal going for the money spent

The worst thing about FA is it's hard to own just one!

I have a bisley hunter in 45 colt and love it. I thought that was the best handling grip out there on a single action (recoil wise) , but then I got my FA 454 casull with the wood grips and dang...

its different, and took me a bit to get used to it, but now I actually prefer it. shoots my hot loads and does not beat you up at all and handles nicely

Has anyone ever had to Cary an extra firing pin and tools when hunting with a custom Ruger?

I have not

Neither have I.

Had two pins break on my Freedom model 83`s. 454 and 357. The 454 was 2 weeks before Africa and was an early version that had to be sent back, drilled out and the new pin bushing installed.Took them 3 days... The 357 broke while hunting at the YO. One of the members had an extra...

I find that more than a little disconcerting.

had firing pin break on my redhawk 45 colt. i have the FA replaceable bushing on all my guns that i can screw out and just replace a pin, i carry extras, haven't had to do that on any gun in over 10 years till i had my lastest 7.5" gun break a pin after having it for 2 weeks, talked to a guy at FA and they had a run of bad pins, not hardened properly i guess?

my ruger took alot more than 3 days to get back.

As it should, costing a quarter of the price -- LOL!

I have owned three FA's, plus about a half dozen at least Rugers in .44 magnum and .45 Colt, plus now own a customized Ruger (.475 Linebaugh.)

All have been/are functional and taken game. But for my own personal reasons, my go to revolver for big game would be one of my FA's.

FWIW

I may have one break tomorrow but after 12 years and 5 different freedoms shot a substantial amount of times over the years, I've never had one mess up or break. I have had custom rugers hitch up on the actions. All were by VERY notable smiths. Things happen, that's all. But when something absolutely has to be taken down, I grab a FA every time as they are the ones I have utter confidence in. The gripframe on a FA is for me personally, a much better handler of recoil than the bisley. But after thousands and thousands of full house Casulls and such downrange, maybe I'm just a little biased. I always joked saying that God himself sent that gripframe down to us for use in the gamefields. It's that nice

The freedom arms are probably the nicest production guns out there. I would rather have a custom bisley but would settle for a freedom arms if I find a good deal on one.

I had my firing pin on my FA 83 break, but that was more my fault than anything (long story) .

That being said, like the other guys have said, if you have a newer gun with the pin bushing and an extra pin taped some where it will always be when you need it... you will be prepared for anything.

owning a FA was just a dream for me a few years back, but I had the opportunity to get one and took advantage of it. I do not regret it one bit. I hope I will be able to get another someday

Like BB says above, its easy to carry an extra pin and a driver tip that matches the bushing, which goes with me and my FA`s handguns.....

My sentiments exactly but not all customs are equal. I would suggest sticking with someone like Huntington, Linebaugh or Bowen. There are some other good ones out there as well as bad ones. For now I'm out of building guns except for the ones I'm finishing up. If I were having one built for me the top of the list would be Jack and the bottom would be Reeder. The latter puts all kinds of lazer engraving on them but unless things have changed the actions suck as bad as factory and the internal parts are factory so they aren't tight at all.

+1.........

I wish somebody would have told me about this problem earlier. A little less than a year ago, I didn't own one and in fact, I hadn't even held one.

Now I have four of them! Two M83's and two M97's. Absolutely absurd!

Nice claimbuster! Same thing happened to me

I want one I load for 454 so that my caliber choice. Getting ready to retire again and its my present to me

I have a matching pair of 7.5" 454s. One wears a Burris 1.5-4 and the other is open. Absolutly love them both. Had numerous Bisleys in 44, 45, and 41. Would not go back for nothing!

I like Ruger Bisleys and FAs. The best deal is a stock Ruger Bisley - most shoot quite well. But, If you want a near guarantee of an outstanding revolver you really can't beat FA. I've had one full custom Ruger 45 (with line bored cylinder) by a top notch pistol smith of very high regard. It was strong, smooth, tight and good looking but shot only a little better than my stock Ruger 45 -- made me feel kinda foolish as it cost a heck of a lot more. I traded it for my first FA 454 with octagon barrel and my groups were easily cut in half. In fact the FA83 is the most accurate revolver that I have shot in 30 years of hand gunning.

3 shots, 1/4-inch at 50 yards.....

BFR

Enough said.....

I have a number of top-shelf customs and an FA 83, and nothing has shot as well as this particular BFR that has come into my possession. If it won't shoot, it won't find a home with me, generally speaking. But all of my customs shoot lights out as well.

That's nice Whit but the gun didn't hit the bullseye, what good is a small group that isn't on target....hahahahahahaha.. Sorry, couldn't help it

You know, I see lots of good things on the BFRs, I've never actually fired one though. I wouldn't turn one down though with the groups I've seen them shoot for folks across the board....