eskimo36
.375 Atomic
Oklahoma
Posts: 2,049
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Post by eskimo36 on Nov 5, 2017 13:37:51 GMT -5
I recently got my first FA from one of our own here and it is a magnificent machine. It’s a 4 5/8” 41 magnum Model 97. It is a beautiful little gun. It is tight and solid and Single Six size. If, and I do say if, I was going to just have one gun for every day, I would really have to give this little jewel some serious consideration.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Nov 5, 2017 13:41:16 GMT -5
I have only one as well abd am still amazed at how finely made it is..... combo of a swiss watch and a bank vault 😉
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Post by bigbore475 on Nov 5, 2017 14:06:26 GMT -5
Congratulations on your score.
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Post by potatojudge on Nov 5, 2017 14:07:17 GMT -5
My thoughts exactly. FA 97 in 41, 44, or 45 could all fit the bill for "only one sixgun"
4 3/4 or 5 1/2 inch barrel and it'll take you from PPP to hunting, and with the ease of adding optics utility and range can be stretched beyond what most of us can do with irons.
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Post by jeffer on Nov 5, 2017 14:43:08 GMT -5
I absolutely adore mine. Same size in 45 Colt. I think the 41 mag 44 special or 45 cold are just perfect in this little five gun. Packs like a dream and shoot better than I can. The action job from Freedom Arms really aids in accuracy. A small But Mighty power house for sure.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941 
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Post by dhd on Nov 5, 2017 14:47:10 GMT -5
Only one sixgun? What the he{{?
I've only got one too, and it's a super model that puts out like you would expect it to (I had fun with the last sentence).
But only one sixgun? Shame on y'all!
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Post by lscg on Nov 5, 2017 15:52:39 GMT -5
congrats Curtis!
never owned or even shot a FA but I've thought hard about a 97 in .41mag, .44spl or .45 Colt. seems like it would be mighty handy to carry around.
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Post by tinkerpearce on Nov 6, 2017 17:35:08 GMT -5
Very nice- I am going to need to research these...
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 6, 2017 17:41:45 GMT -5
I like them so well, I bought 5 1/2" models in 41 Mag, 44 Special and 45 Colt.
Congratulations on a great score and remember it makes a great 41 Special too.
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 6, 2017 17:53:31 GMT -5
...also one of my favorites... Lucked into 4.25" .41 Round Butt probably 10 years ago now. Has black Micarta grips and 3# factory action job...
Have tried a lot of bullet weights/loads in it and have settled on a MeHic 180 grain FP mold that also can throw lighter hollow points and panta points. Velocity is right at 1300 fps. Recoil is very controllable.
As you may know, bullets with long noses like the original Keith and LBT Long Wide Flatnose will not fit into the cylinder when crimped in to the regular crinping groove.
If one wants a heavy for this gun the 250 grain LBT WFN by Cast Performance, Leadhead and several other makers work fine. It is also the same bullet that Federal uses in their CastCore round as does CorBon. 20.0 grain of H110 clocks 1300 fps from the short barrel...recoil is...well...stout.
Bob
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Post by Pecos Pete on Nov 6, 2017 18:34:19 GMT -5
Why does FA not offer the 97 in 44 Magnum? Surely it can't be a strength issue--I'm sure plenty of folks are hot-rodding their 97s in 45 Colt.
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 6, 2017 19:33:48 GMT -5
Three years ago a friend ordered a 97/.44 Special with round butt, octagon 4.25" barrel and asked Mr. Baker about chambering it in .44 Magnum...answer was "no"... He would however fit a second .44 Special cylinder to the gun and my friend can then do what he liked with it...and so after delivery the extra cylinder went down to David Clements and my friend lived happily ever after.
My friend only wanted the cylinder as he has TONS of .44 Magnum brass and not that much .44 Special. He only uses his own 250 Keith bullet at a modest velocity for all his .44s and so just adjusted the load for the crimp over the bullet shoulder necessary to make LOA for the short 97 cylinder...
The .44 Special is really the perfect round for the 97...
Bob
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 6, 2017 19:39:13 GMT -5
ps...touching off a 250 grain bullet at 1300 fps is close to shooting a S&W 340 13oz. .357 with full loads... Hotrodding 97s with calibers over .40 just isn't the best thing to do... A factory .44 Magnum 240 JHP from one of these would not be pleasant at all...
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 6, 2017 20:23:50 GMT -5
I can't argue with that. The 45 Colt gets really interesting, really quick.
I'm not sure I can pick a favorite between the 44 Special and 45 Colt.
Many whine about the short cylinder of the FA97. But, I haven't faced that issue at all. The gun was built to be a light, handy gun. That goal was achieved very well.
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Post by potatojudge on Nov 6, 2017 22:18:52 GMT -5
What is your intended load with the 41? I could see arguments for the 170 grain Sierra, 210 XTP, or a heavier lead bullet deep seated and crimped on the ogive. As accurate as these guns are I would tend to err on the side of a flatter trajectory and accurate bullet, but load to your own needs and expectations.
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