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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866 |
Getting back into revolvers and am thinking of tripping a couple of rifles, saving some moolah and getting a NICE revolver.
Now, there's ZERO doubt that a Bowen or Huntington is top notch, but is a FA a noticeable step down? I see a lot of Casulls for sale around $1500-1800.
I have no experience with either (actually, ANY high end handgun) and am wondering if the true customs are worth the extra green.
Note, I am not looking for a one-off, personalized type of deal but rather thinking of a stock PG FA vs. say, a Bowen Nimrod.
Anyone with experience with both?
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,308 Likes: 16 |
I've got both. Nothing at all wrong with a Freedom Arms Revolver. Top notch Quaility and very accurate.
The Bowen Customs, are a work of art! Wouldn't take for mine. But it's gonna cost ya a lot more than the Freedom Arms. I could be happy with either, if I could only own one. Both will hold their Retail value, too.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854 |
I own and shoot both. Have 4 Bowen's........all full-blown Longhunter and 1 Nimrod. Also have 2 FA's....one a dual cylinder 45/454 and one 475L.
The FA's are excellent quality and vault tight. I would say fit and quality is definitely on par with a full custom (with custom cylinder and barrel). Get a FA and maybe upgrade to a Bowen later.
What caliber are you looking for??
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866 |
I was debating a big honker like the .475 Linebaugh but the practical side of me kicked in and figured I could be perfectly happy with a .45 Colt, hence the interest in the FA Casulls I see all over the place.
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,143
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,143 |
I have an FA 83 and a number of full-blown custom 5-shot Rugers and I prefer the customs for a number of reasons. I am not particularly fond of the FA's action, and I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a transfer bar or similar safety mechanism. I also prefer blued steel to stainless. That said, you can still find good deals on used FAs. But, I think that this is a tough act to follow:
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,479 |
I love my FA model 97 but the lack of a safety transfer bar in the model 83 will keep me from ever owning one. Not an issue with the custom Rugers.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,959 Likes: 3 |
Let's not leave out the BFR's they customize very well.
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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The FA 454's are relatively inexpensive only because they are common.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,860 |
A matter of preference IMHO. I grew up shooting OM Rugers and have only kept or acquired pre-'73 OMs.
Don't like the safety bar NM BHs, as 5 beans in the wheel are enough for me in the applications I reserve for my SA revolvers. YMMV
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty of give me death! P. Henry
Deus vult!
Rhodesians all now
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854 |
I have an FA 83 and a number of full-blown custom 5-shot Rugers and I prefer the customs for a number of reasons. I am not particularly fond of the FA's action, and I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a transfer bar or similar safety mechanism. I also prefer blued steel to stainless. That said, you can still find good deals on used FAs. But, I think that this is a tough act to follow: Nice! Is that a JRH custom??
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854 |
Here's a few shots of the FA after it came back from Mag-na-port for dual traps and cut to 4-3/4" with inverted crown. I'll port my FA's, but no way with the customs!!! The 45 Colt cylinder stays in it. Haven't even shot any 454's and don't really care to.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854 |
And the Bowen's! L to R: Longhunter 5-shot 45 Colt Vaquero Bisley w/Grashorn Sheep Horn Longhunter 480 Ruger 4" SS "Lightweight" Longhunter 6-shot 44 Mag w/Fishpaw Walnut Nimrod 500 L w/Grashorn stag Bowen's 5-shot 45 cylinder:
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866 |
Here's a few shots of the FA after it came back from Mag-na-port for dual traps and cut to 4-3/4" with inverted crown. I'll port my FA's, but no way with the customs!!! The 45 Colt cylinder stays in it. Haven't even shot any 454's and don't really care to. Clearly, you prefer your Bowens and hence, have no need for this. You need to trip it!
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 11,878 Likes: 21
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 11,878 Likes: 21 |
Freedoms are not a large step down from high end customs. They are up there with them. Customs are fantastic too, Bowen being my favorite. JRH is also top notch. Freedom makes a gun that you will hand down many generations. They are absolutely fantastic in both fit and function. I have found them to be one of the most accurate guns produced. Maybe grab up a freedom then sometime down the road order a custom. Here is my present freedom as well as a ruger that Bowen worked over.
Last edited by gunchamp; 07/19/14.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866 |
Both are awesome! Very nice...
I just might do the FA thing first and custom down the road. We'll see...
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274 |
I think a lot of guys bought M83 FA when the .454 Casull was the hottest thing in town. Then they shot them and decided maybe they really didn't need that much recoil after all...
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP, if you shop around you should have no problem finding a nice freedom 83 in the $1200 price range.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
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I think a lot of guys bought M83 FA when the .454 Casull was the hottest thing in town. Then they shot them and decided maybe they really didn't need that much recoil after all... A friend has one FA in 454 Casull and a 4.75" barreled 475 Linebaugh FA. While I am far from a big bore pistol man the recoil on those 2 are really rough. The Linebaugh had me after round 1.
When I die I hope I don't start voting democrat.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,916 |
Both are awesome! Very nice...
I just might do the FA thing first and custom down the road. We'll see... Get the FA first. They are what I call a semi custom maker and offer a lot of options. I ordered my gun using their website and have what I consider a custom gun. To me, gunmakers that use other people's actions as a basis for customization are just that: Customizers; not true custom gun makers.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,143 |
Both are awesome! Very nice...
I just might do the FA thing first and custom down the road. We'll see... Get the FA first. They are what I call a semi custom maker and offer a lot of options. I ordered my gun using their website and have what I consider a custom gun. To me, gunmakers that use other people's actions as a basis for customization are just that: Customizers; not true custom gun makers. How do you figure? Should they make the frame from scratch? Freedom doesn't cast their own frames, so I don't understand your point. All of the top custom revolver builders make the cylinders from scratch, and tweak just about all else and replace the barrel, etc. They are not what I would consider "just customizers."
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