To make a long story short... I'm selling off a project, and planned on buying purchasing a couple more Rugers. When I started thinking maybe a Freedom Arms instead. I know people who own them love them, but what else do I need to know?
I'm thinking maybe a 97 in 44 spl, (as that was one of the Ruger's I was going to buy) or 45 colt offered in both 97 and 83 I believe, ... or possibly a 475, but I would probally just shoot 480 Rugers out of it.
Whats your favorite Freedom Arms?

For the 83 in "all around" go with .454 Casull. IMHO

X2, It can be loaded down to 45LC equivalent's or the Casull loads. It's a very versatile caliber. IMO

The 454 is very versatilie and can be loaded to 44 mag levels too

I too would go with the biggr 83 -- in the bigger caliber. There is nothing not to love about the .475.......

Mod.83 in 454 Casull is the best "FIRST" Freedom Arms.Keep checking Gun Broker for good deals.

240,

If you get a Freedom Arms, you will never regret it. However, if you purchase it new from FA, you can order additional cylinders, for $100 less, at the time of order. For example, I have an '83 with the following cylinders: 454 C, 45 Colt, 45 ACP; a 475 L with a 480 Ruger, 44 Mag with a 44 Spl. cylinder. The 454 C with the optional cylinders is most versatile.

Doc

240,

Check with KRal, he has an FA '83 with the 454 C, 45 Colt, and 45 Win Mag cylinders. He can share his opinion with you.

Doc

I would also go with the model 83 in 454. With various cylinders you would have a more versatile gun than the ruger. Lynn Thompson of Cold Steel used a 454 to take the African Big 6. The 454 is all you would ever need.

I don't personally see much point to getting the 45 Colt cylinder or the 45 Win Mag other than the novelty. I do have a 45 ACP cylinder for my which lets me practice much cheaper than shooting the 454. If you want 45 Colt performance then just download the 454...

Thanks fellas, I've pretty much narrowed it down to a 454, even though I don't think I'll need a round that hot for deer. Im looking for a used F.A. and Im finding alot of 83's in 454 foating around. Its amazing how well these guns hold their value!

Gary's right. If you load you own, there's really no need in the 45LC cylinder. The extra cylinders do come in handy if you shoot factory ammo. I've got the three cylinders because it came as a package deal when I bought the gun. And I've been currently hunting with the 45LC cylinder, because at the time I couldn't find any Casull brass anywhere. Just got lucky on the 45LC after a month and half of searching. I currently have both now.

Some of us here really love our 10" barrel FA 454.The longer barrel seems to tame the recoil alot,also give you about 75fps more speed.Like they say its easy to download the 454 to 45LC speeds and recoil.

Bisley

If I was asked about someone buying their first Freedom Arms handgun I would suggest a 454 with a 10" barrel.

Kral, You make a good point, not everyone reloads and in that case the 45 Colt cylinder would be useful.

240gr&up,

My first FA was a 10" model 83 in .454 - you'll probably find better deals on the .454's because of the volume of that caliber in the marketplace.

But I'll warn you - you'll want more after the first!

I'm set-up for reloading & I've got a good supply of small rifle primers. Do you guys see a difference using benchrest primers with the 454?

Whats your favorite Freedom Arms? [/quote]

What's my favorite FA, all of them. Like stated earlier once you buy one, you will want more. That being said for the most part i agree with the rest of the guy's the 454 will do it all. I own 2 454's but i find myself shooting my 44 and 475 the most.

My favorite has to be my 4 3/4" 454 but I would really like to have a 44 Magnum too.

Gary my FA 44 is a blast to shoot very little recoil, and it's a tack driver.

FA's original data called for REm 7 1/2 Small rifle BR primers, and that's what I've used for 20 years.

I have FAs in both 83 & 97 configurations. The 97s are really nice to carry. I prefer to shoot the 83s. Both models shoot very accurately, but the larger size of the 83 makes it easier for me to get stable.

I have 41s, 44s, & 454s in M83. I love my 41s, but would recommend a 454, particularly if you reload.