Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns freedom arms revolvers???

I've got a 5-1/2" Ruger Bisley in both 45 Colt and 44 Mag. Both have had work by Dave Clements and the total price for each was probably over $1,000. The .45 is still a 6-shot and neither is magna-ported. I typically shoot the .45 with hot handloads - 325 Gr. Cast loaded with heavy doses of H-110.

Recently bought a used .475 Linebaugh FA with custom-order 5-1/2" barrel and double magna-port. Loaded up 20 rounds with 425 Gr. cast and heavy H110 load. I took both the .45 Ruger and the .475 FA out and shot the Ruger first. Heavy kicker. Shot the .475 FA and it was much more pleasant to shoot with the magna-port.

More info than you wanted, I know. But the FA's quality and fit is far and away better than the Rugers. I agree that it's best to buy a FA than to hop up a Ruger. My FA is a field grade with special-order micarta grips and express sights. I still want a Ruger Bisley done by John Linebaugh - maybe in a .500 Linebaugh. But the .475 with magna-port definitely scratches my itch for now. It's a fun one to shoot and I hope to try it out on hogs this spring.

You won't be disappointed with the Freedom Arms, I can guarantee that.

tikka, if you are aver around southern illinois stop in. yo can shoot mine all you want. i have a m83 preimere grade. awsome gun

My Model-97 FA in .45 Colt is the perfect size packing pistol. It's nice and light, EZ to carry on a belt holster and has the power with handloads to take down any critter I may encounter. I have NO problem controling it even with the hottest handloads and recoil is MUCH easier on the hand than my Red Hawk. With the Ruger after about 5-6 rounds of a MAX load you don't want to shoot any more!! The Ruger will 'beat the fire'out of the palm of your hand with VERY sharp recoil!! The FA's grip frame doesn't transfer the sharp recoil to the palm so they are much more pleasent to shoot. The only problem one will encounter with the M-97 is the short cylinder length when reloading heavier bullets. Overall length MUST be kept to 1.625 or the bullet will protrude from the cylinder, tying up the gun.
I generally load a 250 gr. hard cast bullet for around 1000 fps which is very accurate and pleasent to shoot, this load will accomplish anything I may ask of it in the field.

red monkey, did you say you were going to sell the 97.

I don't understand the scope of your query. I own FA 83s in 475 Linebaugh and 357 Magnum, FA 97s in 45 Colt, and Ruger SRH 480s. What is your interest? Please be as specific as you can.

i think he is just getting a feel if they are worth the $$$$$$ and yes they are. i have a 83 that has 2k full house 454 loads through it and it is still tighter than a new ruger.

As stated by many above the Freedom Arms is a much better built firearm. If you really look at one the finer tolerances and quality are very apparent when compared to a Ruger. That said, I shoot a Ruger Super Black Hawk Hunter model with a Leupold scope in 44 Mag. It has done everything I've asked of it without a hiccup. I have a buddy that owns three F/A's that I get to drool over each deer season, but then his yearly salary is probably twice mine.....and he's single.
If you can afford a F/A's handgun by all means do it, you won't regret it. My .02 cents.

I also have a sbh hunter in 45lc. it will shoot with my freedom arms at 100 yds.
2" 5 shot group from both guns. now these groups are not commen but they happen once in a while.

if ruger made a bisley in 454 i might mot have purchased my 83.

Sure it's for sale. I'll take not a penny less than $5,000.00 for it. Just let me know where my FFL dealer needs to ship it and we can deal.

I have a bunch of Ruger single actions and they are good guns, but my Premier Grade 83 .475 Linebaugh is another grade of firearm. Well worth the cost of admission.

The ONLY thing that's stopped me from investing in FA revolvers is their stainless construction. Stainless just leaves me cold, and I can't help it. But the fact that FA builds a handgun equivalent to a Swiss watch is almost enough to sway my thinking. In the mean time I'm doing just fine with my collection of Timex Rugers.

I'm just the opposite i don't like the blue guns. Two of my Rugers Super Blackhawk 44 mag and Bisley 45 LC.

Wow thanks for the offer.
But I am in Alberta, Canada.
A long way off.

thats how i feel about my 83. i need to get a 97. i have 2 rugers in 45lc. just not the same

[quote=Naphtali]I don't understand the scope of your query. I own FA 83s in 475 Linebaugh and 357 Magnum, FA 97s in 45 Colt, and Ruger SRH 480s. What is your interest? Please be as specific as you can.

My interest is owning a quality SA revolver and target shooting.

My question was open ended enough for guys to share any opinions or technical info they want.
I am leaning towards a model 97 in 38/357.

The 454 is a very respectable caliber. But I will not be hunting with this gun.
And I want something I can shoot when I am 65.

[quote=RJM]The 83 is their original heavy duty frame and the 97 is more the size of a Colt SAA....but built MUCH stouter.

So I once ruger old vaquero, so the 97 is about that size?

Thanks for your honesty and the reality check Bob.
I was hard on my wrists years ago when I worked construction.
I am 51 and I do want to be shooting for many more years.

I have been thinking of sending mine back to Freedom Arms and having the barrel shortened to 4&3/4 to make easier to carry in the field, plus I'm partial to short barrel handguns.

no doubt the 454 is not the choice for plinking.

The Model 83 was first released in 1983 and as others have stated, it is the heavy frame built stout for the 454 Casull. The Model 97 was first produced in 1997 and, again, is more on the lines of a Blackhawk, framewise... lighter than the Model 83 and not as stout, but a very fine revolver.

I have the Mod 83 in Casull with the 7.5 inch barrel and a Model 97 in 357. Both are the 'field' grade.