How to see a Freedom Arms gun?

M

Mastiff37

New member
I'm curious if people are ordering these guns without seeing them, or how you would go about finding one so you can hold it?

Also, can anyone compare the size of a model 83 to a large frame Smith and Wesson double action? I'm curious if these are huge guns. A large frame S&W is comfortable but big in my hands.
 
Unless you find one in a store, or that someone is shooting at a range, about the closest view would be on youtube.
Maybe one of the online review web sites has a comparison.
Like Chuck Hawks, Hickock, Gunblast, Nut n' Fancy, 'etc.
Might be worth a search.
Happy Hunting.
 
I got to shoot one a long time ago, but when I bought mine finally it was sight unseen. I figured I was safe in that respect because of all the good said about them. I was not disappointed. Go for it.
 
It would seem that actually fondling one is about out of the question.
Even Freedom Arms has no guns in inventory, according to their web site.
Unless there's some to be found at gun stores, it's about as likely to run across one in the flesh as Big Foot.
 
I've handled used FA's in shops a few times but I'll go one further and say I have to shoot one before I ever buy one. If I ever even buy one. I'm to enamored of the Ruger Bisley to jump ship unless it's a religious experience.

Size-wise, they are comparable to a Ruger Blackhawk. I routinely carry a Bisley in an FA holster and it fits perfectly. The grip frame is somewhere between a Ruger Super Blackhawk and a Colt 1860 Army.
 
I assume you're talking about the 83? I haven't handled a Ruger SA in a while though. I have a Colt SAA and I like the feel a lot, on the small size for a magnum caliber I'd think.
 
I was talking about the #83. The normal Blackhawk fits the same holster nicely. The 83 is a superb gun. Even if it has a problem which I doubt it will FA's warranty dept is fantastic. I never needed it for the 83, bit for one of the 22 mini's. You wont be disappointed in the 83.
 
The 83 is comparable to a large frame Blackhawk. The 97 is actually a tad smaller than a mid-frame Ruger or Colt SAA/New Frontier.
 
I found both of these at LGS's but they were used. Only a FA dealer might have new ones in stock. You can find the list of authorized dealers on their website.

A little larger than a Ruger Bisley but stronger. The quality is unsurpassed. The scoped 357 shoots 2" groups at 100 yards - when I do my part.

Jim
 
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I"ve run into a few here and there at gun shops A dealer in N.H. usually has some new ones in stock. Handled a couple used model 83's. I"d agree that they are roughly the size of Large Frame Blackhawk. Feels a little beefier. The 97 IMO is somewhere between a Single Six and a New Frontier/SAA in size. Probably a bit closer to a Single Six.

Fit is superb. Finish is well done for stainless steel. If I had a gripe it's that they Premier grade barrels have a more matt finish than the frame, and the barrel lettering could look better. You can get a feel for that in the pics on line though. That's just my own personal opinion/taste though.

Action on the ones I handled were nice. Lock up OUTSTANDING and triggers crisp and nice for a factory job. Cylinder gap super tight. Most factory guns aren't going to come anywhere near these specs.

Price wise... IMO you get a lot for your money. To get similar quality out of a customized gun is likely to cost you more than the price of the Freedom Arms.

Although I've never handled one, I've heard many in the know say that the BFR line is a good alternative to the F/A at a lower price point. Not as finely finished but an excellent value.

Yes, they're expensive, but IMO worth the price given the quality you get.
 
I own revolvers from Freedom Arms, Magnum Research, Ruger and Smith and Wesson. The size of the FA 83 is nearly identical to a Ruger Blackhawk, and very similar to a S&W N frame gun, although a different shape.

The BFR (mine is in .475 Linebaugh, so is a standard length) is noticeably beefier than either the Ruger or the FA. This added weight does help with regard to recoil, but the grip shape eliminates any perceived benefit from weight. With full power loads the gun rotates in your hand pretty violently in your hand and the hammer can dig into the webbing between your thumb and first finger. The Pachmayer grips on the stock BFR help with this, but they are ugly as sin, IMO.

In contrast, the FA83 has a more vertical component to the grip and is much more pleasant to shoot with full power loads. The grip shape and size on the FA is a bit of a combination between the standard plow handle shape and the bisley shape of the Ruger Bisley Blackhawks, also a very comfortable grip for heavy loads.

The quality of the Freedom Arms guns is unsurpassed by any other revolver, with the BFR coming in second place. The lockup and overall fit of all parts is as close to perfect as you are likely to ever see. My example displays no cylinder end shake rotational play whatsoever. Accuracy rivals many stock bolt action rifles. While doing accuracy testing with a scope mounted, I have shot several MOA groups from a sandbag rest at 100 yards.

The BFR is a very nice revolver that, IMO, is possibly the best bang for the buck. Overall fit and finish is very good. Accuracy is also exceptional. I have yet to shoot any MOA groups with my gun, but I have shot some that were 1 1/2 MOA or so. I think part of this is a matter of shooter comfort with heavy loads. The concentration required is easily disturbed by recoil, making small groups very hard to shoot.

The cylinder lockup on the BFR is not quite as tight as on the FA, but it is well within acceptable limits. There are a few sharp corners that can use the attention of a skilled hand to cure. Overall, a very nice revolver requiring only minor refinements. A much better gun than a stock Ruger, but not as nice as the Freedom Arms. My only real complaint with the BFR is it's bulk and grip shape. I prefer short barreled packing guns, and the BFR is not the ideal choice for this role, but it is a lot of gun for the money.

The FA 83 is expensive, but worth it! To get similar quality in a sixgun, buy a Ruger, send it to any number of amazing gunsmiths, spend an additional $2,400-$3,000, wait a year or more, and you will be in the ballpark. They are the highest quality revolver money can buy from a factory. IF you have the resources, get one. If you aren't happy with it, you can't be made happy.

JW
 
I Have had a few, and they are compact for size and power, easy to carry, and lock up tighter than a wife with the paycheck in hunting season!
 
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82121&d=1340222605

I had to reduce the resolution on this photo to get it on the site....but you can see the relative size difference in my Freedom Arms, model 83, large frame, 5 shot ...4 3/4" octagonal barrel in .357 mag......vs a Nickel model 27-2 S&W N frame in .357 mag with a 4" barrel.
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As far as holding one ....I see a few for sale at local gunshows ....and once in a while, a dealer will get one in as inventory .../ but unless you meet someone at a range - and they let you fire their gun, you won't be able to fire one.
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I bought my Freedom Arms about 18 months ago....had to go with gut instinct - and just what I could find for photos on the internet. But I will say that I was impressed with the gun when it was delivered....and I still love it, every time I shoot it.

As far as options....I did pay for the complete action job - overtravel screw, and specd the trigger at 3.5 lbs.../ and the fibre optic front sight ( I got orange and green / but I prefer the Green) / I also paid for the octagonal barrel which I like very much.

I like it so much - I may buy a 2nd one - identical to this one ...in .44 mag / to go with my model 29's S&W revolvers...

Lock up on the gun / and the trigger are perfect / I can punish a 3" circle ( off-hand) at 25 yds with the gun all day long - and my eyes are not good. It is a piece of craftsmanship, that I think you'd enjoy.

On the large frame - the size of the grip gives you enough meat ...to get your whole hand on the grip vs a finger underneath the grip ( like a Colt SAA) ...or with the smaller model FA's. I prefer the large frame.
 
Thanks for the picture. Forgive my ignorance, is the N frame the large frame such as I'd have in my S&W 41 mag? I have a .357 S&W and the frame is a size smaller. I'm really torn on whether to go 83 or 97. If the 83 could hold six shots of 41, I'd go that way for sure.

EDIT: Never mind, a quick web search answered my question about N frame.
 
I've got to hold a couple (gun show) and shoot an FA at the range. FA just oozes precision/quality. The trigger pull on the one I shot was excellent. I don't remember any creep when I pulled the trigger. Just a crisp let off. Now, ready for this? It 'seemed' just as accurate as my Rugers.... And there in lies my problem. Some of (if not all) of my Rugers shoot better than I can hold (open sights).... On a couple of Rugers I've had trigger jobs done that are really really good and my shooting with them has improved (In fact, I almost dislike shooting anything else but those two revolvers now :o ... sort of spoils me) . So then... Why pop for a very nice 5 shot FA that costs 5 times as much (83 $500 vs $2460?) or 4 times (97 $500 vs $1995) ? Anyway, that is my 'internal' dilemma :) . Someday, maybe I'll own one ... if stupid logic wouldn't keep getting in the way :rolleyes: .
 
Would Ruger have an equivalent to a model 83 in 41 mag with 7.5" barrel? I can't seem to find something like that, though I see some references to a Bisley hunter. Discontinued perhaps?
 
The S&W .41 Mag's - were probably model 57 or 58's ....so yes, they are N frames / and they would feel the same as the model 27's, 28's in .357 mag / or the model 29's in .44 mag....( fit and feel / not in recoil).

Colt, Ruger, etc in terms of single actions --- are similar in size - sort of - to the Freedom Arms model 97's ..../ but the model 97's are a little heavier I think.

Freedom Arms web site ....has a spec page...at the bottom of the front page - so you can look at overall length / weight, etc ......but for an upcharge, they'll also do custom barrel lengths.

http://www.freedomarms.com/

I don't see a downside to a 5 shot model 83 / now there is no firing pin block, so if you carry it, you have to carry it with 4, not 5 - on horseback or whatever you're doing. But my model 83, 4 3/4" octagonal barrel...is right at 55 oz ....so its not something you're going to want to carry around a lot ...??? If I'm just bulls eye shooting at my local range...I load all 5 and keep it on the bench at half cock until I'm ready to shoot it.

There is no question that a Ruger, Colt, etc will be cheaper than a Freedom Arms, unless you find a really good deal on a used one. My Freedom Arms was my birthday present to myself when I turned 61, and I understand its a special gun ...but as a special present to yourself, its one of those guns that fills a niche / I have no intention of carrying it ! My wife thought it was stupid ....but then she doesn't like most of the guns in my collection. In actuality, all she cared was, will I enjoy it - and yes, I do ....so she was fine with it. She knows I love it / and I shoot it quite a bit .../ or at least a box a week most weeks.

.......I did let 2 guys, in an adjacent lane to me on Monday nite, at my range put a couple rounds thru my Freedom Arms ...they were talking about liking one, hadn't seen one.....so I was just giving them a little appreciation for what they are...how they feel. If someone shows some interest...I'll let them shoot a couple of rounds thru it - or one of my S&W's ...or one of my 1911's..../ especially if I've seen them around the range a little and know they're not idiots.

In my opinion, no one makes an equivalent to a model 83 Freedom Arms. Ruger, Colt, etc don't make bad guns....but equivalent ..is a big stretch....
 
Freedom Arms make the Best revolvers that money can buy. You will not be sorry with your purchase. Lead time currently is around 10 months.

I currently have 4 model 97's. They are all tack drivers. 1 1/2 groups at 100 yards. My 357 shoots 5 inch groups at 200 yards.
 
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