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I have had 3 model 97's - a 4-1/4" 357, 5-1/2" 44 Special, 5-1/2" 45 Colt. I bought the 44 new, the other two used. I have since sold the 45, as with heavy loads the trigger guard rapped my knuckle pretty good. I think your approach with a 357 is a good one. Only problem I've encountered is that the cylinder is relatively short, so if you intend to shoot keith SWC's, they may be too long when crimped in the crimping groove, and require crimping over the front driving band. This may or may not be a problem for you, depending on if you are a traditionalist or not. I have gotten around it two ways - one is indeed crimping over the driving band - it shoots fine. The other is loading it as a 38/44 heavy duty round in 38+P cases and crimping in the crimp groove - it shoots fine this way, too.

My 357 has an octagon barrel and micarta grips - both nice options. If I could do it all over again and only have one, I would opt for a 4-1/4" octagon 44 special, with the round butt and micarta grip options.

Tom what is special about micarta grips?

I have a smith model 27 - 2 square butt and a 625 - 2 round butt.

I shoot the round butt better.
Seems the whole right hand including pinky finger gets more involved in accuracy. Hard to explain I guess.

What do you like about yours?
Any photos?

That is why I went to the .41 Magnum...it will do whatever needs to get done without also doing you in. The 83 in .41 is really overkill and with Mag-Na-Port it is a real PussyCat even with heavy cast loads.

As to the Micarta grips, they are just an attrative extra. From what I have read the laminated wood grips will sometimes crack under the stress of heavy loads.

The question sometimes arises as to why not just download the .454 or get a second cylinder in .45 Colt...(my gun had one). My answer is if I wanted a .45 Colt I would buy one... I bought the .454 to shoot .454s...

There was a one of a kind 97 in .41 Magnum on GunBroker some time back.... 4.25" barrel, factory custm action job with trigger overtravel stop and ROUND BUTT frame with black Micarta grips... It sold for $1950.00.

Bob

I'll try to take some pics of them tonight and post them up. The Micarta just feel a bit smoother in my hand. The rosewood grips are really nice, too....

They are tight, however;

There are too many parts in the hammer for my liking.

It may be built like a Swiss watch, but I never had to hunt with a Swiss watch.:-)

Line boring is nice, but a properly built cylinder is going to be at least as accurate.

The Ruger cylinders are longer, the custom ones even more so. And I beleive, correct me if I'm wrong, the Rugers have a larger OD, hense the need for smaller rims on the 475 rounds when used in the FA.

A good revolver.

Have owned three different FA .454's, still own one-
Have owned three different Ruger revolvers, still own two-

Here's the comparison:

FA=Leica
Ruger=Bushnell

FA=Mercedes
Ruger=Chevy

You get the picture.

Are FA's worth the money? Yep.

Would I spend my money on one? Nope.

There's just too many cool things that can be done to a Ruger for the same money.

I'm getting in late on this thread. Just found it and last week I bought a FA 97 in .45 Colt. Also it has the extra .45 ACP cylinder. For a guy that has several Ruger SA and one Colt New Frontier you can believe me when I tell you that the FA is way ahead of the others in of terms quality. There seems to be less and less things made in the USA but the FA is one of the QUALITY items that still is. Like everything else... quality cost more.

Who has a good stock of model 97's at a fair price???

You can get them on the Gun Auctions like GunBroker.com or like I got mine. My Doctor buddy at the Hospital i worked at order the Model 93 , had it Ported, and Sling Stud installed, he then proceeded to shoot it about 12 times and that is all it took. He beeped my beeper and ask me to meet him in the Doctor Lounge. I did and he said i have a present for you and hand me the 454 and three boxes of factory ammo and said take this dam thing it is yours because i know you can handle it , kick to dam much for me and that is how i got mine. Didn't cost me nothing . Pays to have good friend with more money than they need.

Call the factory and ask...there are several large stocking dealers. If you put Freedom Arms in the GunBroker search box I know one of the dealers is Taylor's Trading Post in Pennsylvania...they are not exactly "lowball" hwever. But they sometimes have 20 in stock.

Bob

I am looking for a 7-1/2" Model 97 in 357 myself.I talked to Freedom Arms today,and they provided me with two dealers that have 97s in 357 in stock.Taylors is one of them,and the other is a former Freedom Arm exec that runs a small shop.

Wish list includes one in 45 colt with 5.5" barrel and matching 22 lr.

moosemuncher,

That would be a very sweet combo!

Stubblejumper here is a 6" at a good price.

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26172

Sorry it's a 83

Damn, I wish you guys would let this thread die.

I spoke with Taylors,and they have no 357 Model 97s in stock right now.A 97 in 357 with 5-1/2" barrel,action job and overtravel screw runs $1869 from Taylors,so it is about $200 cheaper than buying direct from Freedom Arms.
With used guns running around $1500 or more,I would rather buy a new one.

At this point Tikka3006 and myself are making arrangements to order a pair of 97s in 357.The guns will take about 12 weeks to build,and exporting will add another month or so,so we hope to have the guns by late summer.

Oh yeah! all a deer, black bear, hog, squirrel hunter would ever need. A very classy way to kill soda cans as well...

So about $3800.00 or so... a very fine wish list IMO. Checking this thread could get expensive.

I had a smith 27 - 2 and a 29 - 2.
When I held a 625 - 2 with the round butt I thought it was made for me.
I still have all 3 smiths but go to the round butt 625 the most.

Also I have a old 3 screw blackhawk and have no complaints about the factory grips.
Thought it took a couple of years for the grip shape to feel natural.

I am considering model 97 in 357. Or maybe the 44 special.
Anyway I do like to shoot the lighter loads.

Can somebody describe the differences in gripping and shooting a round butt FA 97 please.

I am going to order a 97. Which one to buy?
Any opinions welcome...

Well my order is placed.

Freedom Arms 97
357 mag
5-1/2" barrel
honed action
trigger set to 3-1/2 lbs
overtravel screw
micarta grips

Now I just have to sit back and wait for about four months.