Freedom Arms M83 22lr owners: any regrets?

[oregon45]

My wife and I are expecting twins in July, so that has me thinking that I ought to sell a few lesser-used sixguns and finally buy a Freedom Arms revolver. The FA 83 I'm most interested in is the 22lr Silhouette competition model. My wife and I both shoot IHMSA, and I figure if I'm going to spend the money for Freedom Arms precision, it should be in a caliber that I'll be able shoot extensively at (relatively) low cost.

Anyone have one of the FA 83 22lr silhouette guns? If so, what do you not like about it? Anything to avoid or any reason to choose another revolver over the M83 for precision 22lr shooting? I've got half a dozen Ruger Single Sixes and a couple of S&W Kit Guns so I'm set for plinking and packing. What I don't currently have is a true paper-punching 22lr revolver.

[dvnv]

I was warned of the match cylinders being tight, making loading a modest chore, but it sounds like you might be the person for which those were designed. Personally, I'd get the standard cylinder and live with the minute(?) difference. Every 83 I have had has benefited from trigger work.

I have not heard of another revolver than can match its accuracy. No 252 in my stable, so take it fwiw.

[akray]

I'd suggest that if you're looking for a Freedom Arms rimfire that you get a Model 97. The Model 83 is a big gun when chambered in 454, and it would just be a really heavy gun in 22 rimfire.

[faca454]

For IHMSA I would go with the 83 rock solid....for field use the Model 97 and I would get a 22 MRF cylinder for it.

[Ken O'Neill]

I have a 7-1/2" 83 / 252 Varmint Special, furnished without sights, because I intended to scope it. It is extremely accurate, but the match chambers were a nuisance, and after using it in Wyoming shooting prairie dogs, I sent the cylinder to Bob Baker to have the chambers opened up a bit. It didn't seem to hurt the accuracy of my gun. I don't know about the next one.

The gun would seat WW 37 gr. hollow points on the range without much trouble, but any other RNL I tried was a nuisance, even on the range. The use of that ammo didn't bother me,because it was the most accurate in my gun. But hunting? It was a no-go in any kind of dusty condition.

I was a silhouette shooter, too, and it was a 40 target gun in the any- sight freestyle category for an International Class shooter.

The gun in silhouette form is heavy; much heavier than the 6 shot Mdl 97, which is almost as accurate. I actually can't tell any practical field difference in accuracy, however I have never shot a silhouette match with the 97. I believe that the 97 is available with match chambers, too, if one feels that they absolutely must have them.

Me? I'm keeping both of mine, but if I was starting over, I'd pick the 97 for my needs.

[oregon45]

Thanks for the feedback guys, quite a bit to think about.

[cmh]

Congrats on the twins 😉

[kings6]

TWINS! With a barrister for a daddy I can just see them debating who's going to be born first. "My dads a lawyer" then "Well so what smarty pants, MY dads a legal eagle so I get to be born first!" Congratulations Rob! Parenthood is a lifetime sentence but worth every minute of it.

[oregon45]

Jan 31, 2018 10:47:05 GMT -5 kings6 said:

TWINS! With a barrister for a daddy I can just see them debating who's going to be born first. "My dads a lawyer" then "Well so what smarty pants, MY dads a legal eagle so I get to be born first!" Congratulations Rob! Parenthood is a lifetime sentence but worth every minute of it.

Thanks Robb, we're really looking forward to them. These will be the first grandkids on both sides of the family, and I have three younger sisters who don't have kids of their own yet, so our twins are sure to be spoiled.

[oregon45]

Just want to thank everyone again for their input. After quite a bit of research, and some concentrated reflection about how much time I will truly have to commit to competition shooting in the future, I decided to pass on a Freedom Arms 22. Instead, I picked up a very clean S&W M617-1 with an 8 3/8" barrel. It should be a great gun for IHMSA out of the creedmoor position in my local matches, and also can do double duty as a fun range gun without the ammunition sensitivity issues of the FA 83. Plus, with the funds I have left over I can pick up a few more revolvers

[Ken O'Neill]

Another gun to consider is the 9-1/2" barrel Ruger Single Six.

[bula]

With Ken's last thought,I'll ad, maybe pick up one of Paco Kelly's tools to make up some of the difference. I've not taken my own advice yet, sigh.