Ok...I've been craving an octagonal barreled FA for quite some time. I've actually bid on a few on GB, but no luck. I have a FA that needs some repair work done by Freedom, so I'm thinking I just may use it as a donor. This will be the victim....



...it's my 4 3/4" PG 44 mag. There's three things I want to do to it: 1)Octagon barrel 2)Jeweled Hammer and Trigger and 3)New grips. #2 options is an easy decision, but #1 and #3 have had me scratching my head for a while now. So, I thought it would be nice to hear some views from you.

Option #1: I can't decide; 6" or 7 1/2". I'm most likely gonna leave this one topless.

Option #3: I can't decide; FA factory ivory micarta or custom wood.

Let's hear some of your ideas.

Very nice as is!! But for your question, I like the 6" barrels myself. If you go with 7.5, does the octagon barrel at that length add a bunch of weight up front?

I like wood grips. Just something about wood and steel that just looks awesome to me. Or bone!

6" octagon and tell them to add the inverted crown. For me, my next will have ivory micarta from FA

I'd have a 5.5" and ivory micarta. For me the 5.5" carries a tad easier in a vahicle and you don't give up that much over a 6" er.

But the 5.5" isn't a standard length and it would cost more. It carries very well now at 4.75", but I'm wanting a little more sight radius.

I prefer the 6" length and FA ivory micarta.

I have a 5.5" and I really really like it. Yes it does cost a little more but there is no substitute for getting it like you want it. I like the black micarta personally.

Gary, I also like the black, but I'm wanting to have a variety on my FA's. I've got one with black now, and it's purdy!

Another vote for the ivory micarta, they look real nice. I also have two FA's, one black, one ivory.


And I'd keep it at 6 inches because I've never liked the extra weight added up front with more that 5.5 inch barrels. I would think the octagon would be even heavier.

I'd take the 6" over the 7 1/2" and I'd go with custom wood grips. I like real ivory, but don't much care for the looks of the ivory micarta, thats just me though.

Keep this one "as is" and place an order for a new one with the features that you like!

Have fun deciding, I can't leave well enough alone either.

Darrell,

That has also been thought and might even come reality. If I went with the octagon barrel, jeweling, inverted muzzle and ivory micarta from FA; I'm looking at almost $1400! That's $200 more than I paid for the gun; and it came with 2x leupold and leupold rings/base.

Decisions...Decisions.....lol

leave out #2 and go with the 6" octagon and ivory.... this is just like Chevy`s and Fords.

I'm a Chevy man.

Are you sold on the 44 being the caliber for your octagon 83? I thought the 454/45 was going to be the be all/ end all but then kept dreaming about the 47 and 48 calibers. Make dang sure about the caliber before dropping another $1400 because that 44 is sweet as is. Someone would snag it up quick (and for a small profit) and allow you to get whatever you wanted.

Best of luck with your decision, I know how hard it can be. Once every 4 months or so I toy with sending in my 5.5 inch 97 to be shortened and rounded. I would also like my 4.75 inch 475LB to grow another inch or so in barrel length but I can't stomach the extra cost right now. I keep waiting to read about some guy who has a six inch 475 and is curious about shorter barrels so I can offer a trade.

That's fine as long as you realize that Ford makes a nicer truck these days.

I'm with James, the needling never really did it for me but everyone is different. I had my 454 rebarreled and when I picked it up, I gave Bob more $100 bills than I did the guy I bought the gun from with 12 rounds down the barrel

but, it's exactly what I wanted and I bought a bunch of extra stuff while I was there that didn't help!

I think the 5 1/2" is the perfect length. Best for all around....still compact enough to sit down with is holstered, gut long enough for good sight radius. When you have the gun balance perfectly you wont dump anymore $$$$ into it for something else. Then you can move on to your next project. I like the 44s but have come to really like the 45 Colt and larger bores. They shoot easier with moderate loads for me.

I think the 5 1/2" is the perfect length. Best for all around....still compact enough to sit down with is holstered, gut long enough for good sight radius. When you have the gun balance perfectly you wont dump anymore $$$$ into it for something else. Then you can move on to your next project. I like the 44s but have come to really like the 45 Colt and larger bores. They shoot easier with moderate loads for me. I would probably look at all avenues to see what would cost less. Would probably sell it and order just what you want. Probably come out better money wise. I have so much in vested in my BFR 500JRH from sending it her and there for this and that. I could do it much cheaper if I were starting over. My point is if you dump more BIG bucks in it you will never be able to trade it out without a huge loss.

mike.44,

That's good advice, thanks. I still haven't give up on looking for one with octagonal barrel. But, rule #1: never sale or trade a FA.

My one and only FA is a .475 Linebaugh with the 6 inch octagon barrel and the black micarta grips, and I love the thing but the grips seem a little slick with that much recoil. A .44 magnum might not be that bad but I like the feel of the wood better for recoil. The black micarta looks better to me on a stainless gun than the ivory does but that's just me!

KRal,

Option 4 - sell it to me and buy the one you want spec'd out right!

Between you and Darrell, hopefully one of you will get weak and sell off the shorty 44 cheap...

6" octagon with jeweled features and custom wood would be beautiful.

Dur,

See rule #1....Never sale or trade a FA.