Muzzle blast on a scoped handgun?

[Aggie01]

My FA 83 in 454/45 currently sports a 10.5" barrel and a leupold 2.5-8 x 32 scope in a TSOB mount.

I was looking for a 7.5" take off barrel with no ports to switch out for this ungainly, ported tube (with a replaceble forcing cone, no less), and have been unsuccesful at this point. If I revise my search criteria to include 5"-6" barrels (which seem a bit more prevalent) will I need to have any concern with muzzleblast interacting with the scope? I have virtually zero experience with scoped handguns, even less with scoped revolvers, and this is the only scoped handgun in the stable right now.

The answer to the first question I would ask (why don't you just cut the barrel back?), is that I don't want to spend money on a barrel with a replaceable forcing cone. I bought it used, so I don't have any idea of how hard its been abused.

[Ken O'Neill]

There should be no problem with an unported 6". At worst, you may have to slide that large scope back a bit in the rings. However, way in the back of my mind, I think I may remember some issues or extra work required with regard to the installation of the newer style barrel on that replaceable forcing cone frame. Call Bob Baker at FA and ask him about it.

[shorty500]

i would be interested in acquiring the 10-1/2 barrel but don't have a barrel to trade unless pulled one off. got a 4-3/4" but that gun is in the never sell vault.and wouldn't want to alter any of my Premier Grade 7-1/2". but do have two Field Grades with 7-1/2" tubes.might consider some kind of barrel or gun swap on one of them, but won't touch your Pachmyar grips for Love or money. know some guys swear by "RUBBER" but prefer NAKED WOOD, MICARTA or IVORY for my sixguns.

[Aggie01]

May 14, 2009 16:45:20 GMT -5 shorty500 said:

won't touch your Pachmyar grips for Love or money. know some guys swear by "RUBBER" but prefer NAKED WOOD, MICARTA or IVORY for my sixguns.

I agree.
That why it looks like this now. The Plasticmayr pic was old.

[Flatlander]

Though my favorite scoped handgun is a 9" 454, now wearing a Bushnell Elite variable and sling studs, if you don't like the long barrels, your cheapest bet in the long run is to have that barrel cut down to 7.5" or 6" or whatever your preference is.

Freedom Arms can do it; or 2 dogs had, I believe, Harton do one of his.

With that particular scope, though, even 7.5" may seem a little short and that scope awfully big. A 6" handles very well with a 4x28 Leupold fixed on it, or smaller.

[Aggie01]

FA will put whatever length barrel on it I want for $290 + shipping. I'm don't know who I talked to but he said that a barrel without the replaceable forcing cone will go right in, they just loctite in a dummy set screw on the frame.
Harton will cut a barrel for around $135, and shipping is substantially cheaper for me using a local courier here in Texas.
I'm just concerned about spending money on a barrel with a replaceable forcing cone.
Anyone have any knowledge about whether they actually fail?

Also I'm not completely sold on the scope. I bought it like that. I thought a dual cylinder FA with a TSOB mount and that Leupold scope for $1200 was too good to pass up, even though I wasn't in the market for one.
If I decide to take it off, I'd probably be a lot happier with a 6" barrel than a 7.5"
I'm not sure what I'll be doing with this one yet.

I do know that it was fun after telling a 19 year old friend of a friend to "hang onto it" twice, and telling him FOUR times to use earplugs, to watch him pull the trigger on it. The scope beat the brim of his ballcap into his forehead, and he agreed with me that wearing earplugs was a good idea. He did not shoot it a second time.

[shawn45]

the replaceable forcing cone is a GOOD thing. Saves changing out the whole barrel if you by chance shoot enough. I have been trying to shoot my FA enough to were something out for the past 10 years and its still like new. ( and I shoot quite a bit)

[Aggie01]

May 15, 2009 9:30:43 GMT -5 shawn45 said:

the replaceable forcing cone is a GOOD thing. Saves changing out the whole barrel if you by chance shoot enough. I have been trying to shoot my FA enough to were something out for the past 10 years and its still like new. ( and I shoot quite a bit)

Freedom arms no longer services replaceable forcing cones. They will sell you a new barrel.

[Flatlander]

Unless you are going to shoot the bewhilikers out of it (an Aggie term) ... I wouldn't worry about it. Even if you are going to shoot the bewhilikers out of it ... I wouldn't worry about it.

Personally, I would either shoot it like it is, or (if I planned to keep it around), chop the barrel.

If I chopped it, I would chop it to 7-1/2" and carry it in an FA shoulder/chest rig.

If I left it as is, I would add sling studs and call it a rifle:

[shorty500]

Nice batch of guns Flatlander.

[nobearsyet]

I have owned several short stubby Encore Barrels with ports and it has never been too much of a problem for me.

[Ken O'Neill]

As Flatlander suggests, a 4X Leupold is plenty of scope on an 83 .454, and is considerably more compact and lighter than what you're using. I've had the 4X on a ported 7 1/2" version for 19 years. I have also come to like the 6" versions in various calibers, but only 1 (50AE / 500WE) of the 4 6"ers that I have is scoped, and it's with a 2X Leupold. If you feel that you want to change from the 2 1/2-8X and absolutely MUST have a variable, then I'd also suggest the Bushnell 3200 2-6X, which is significantly lighter etc. than the 2 1/2-8X Loopy.
A man wants to do what a man wants to do, but personally, I believe I'd have the barrel cut if it shoots well now and has no obvious flaws, rather than replace it.

[AxeHandle]

Here is a good example of what you DO NOT WANT in a scope mount... The gas and trash from the comp will quickly eat the scope.. S&W actually provides a base with the gun that moves the scope back a few inches.. In the bottom pic...