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Post by potatojudge on Oct 18, 2018 11:49:41 GMT -5
Some time back I reshaped a FA 97 grip frame to closely resemble a scaled down Bisley. It clears the knuckles a bit more than the factory configuration and makes the pinky feel less "crowded". It sits more comfortably in the hand but I can't say I've seen an improvement or degradation in recoil handling with hot 44 special loads (210 grain XTP, full case of H110)- there is no escaping the fact this is a small, light gun shooting loads that approach the 44 mag. After doing the initial work and shaping then lots of shooting and reshaping I sent it to JRH for an action tune and grips made from blanks I supplied as well as final clean up and finishing of the metal work. I've included comparisons to a factory round butt FA 44 (ivory micarta) that has become my primary and most trusted hunting rig as well as a John Powers tuned FA in 357 (black micarta). The factory micarta grips on these two guns are very different as can be seen in the photos. I'm curious which guns get what profile or if there was a change somewhere in the production run. All three configurations work well for me, but the one with ivory micarta has taken more time to feel "at home" in my hands. If anyone needs FA 97 work, the one that John Powers did is phenomenal and I would consider him my "go-to" smith for these.    |
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 18, 2018 11:58:43 GMT -5
My favorite of all the factory revolvers and those are some fine examples.
Thanks for posting those beauties.
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KRal
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,029
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Post by KRal on Oct 18, 2018 14:15:03 GMT -5
Very nice!
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Post by jimtx on Oct 18, 2018 19:46:06 GMT -5
I like the middle the best, but all are beautiful!
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mar
.30 Stingray
Posts: 180 
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Post by mar on Oct 18, 2018 20:48:29 GMT -5
Did John Powers do anything else besides action work? Is his better than that of freedom arms? I have a FA97 that I picked up this year in 22/22mag and was going to send it back to FA for their action job and flutes in one of the cylinders. I also wanted to have them put T’SOB for mounting a scope.
Also the grip doesn’t feel exactly right to me and I thought about sending it to Jack for work. Since it is only a 22 I don’t have to worry about the recoil but the grip just doesn’t feel comfortable. I could live with it probably but the grip frame that you worked on looks like something I may actually like. It’s narrower at the bottom which should help the pinky. I thought that Jack might be able to extend the bottom of the grip frame a little then shave the front of it down like yours. While I like the overall quality of the FA97 I’m a little bummed about the way the grip frame feels. I hope I can find a way to make it work or maybe just shoot it more to see if I can get used to it.
Marshall
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Post by rjm52 on Oct 18, 2018 21:25:19 GMT -5
Beautiful guns...
Have to agree that the Round Butt 97s take a lot of concentration to shoot well. I have a 4.25" .41 and really have to concentrate when shooting it to do well...
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Post by potatojudge on Oct 18, 2018 22:54:49 GMT -5
Did John Powers do anything else besides action work? Is his better than that of freedom arms? I have a FA97 that I picked up this year in 22/22mag and was going to send it back to FA for their action job and flutes in one of the cylinders. I also wanted to have them put T’SOB for mounting a scope. Also the grip doesn’t feel exactly right to me and I thought about sending it to Jack for work. Since it is only a 22 I don’t have to worry about the recoil but the grip just doesn’t feel comfortable. I could live with it probably but the grip frame that you worked on looks like something I may actually like. It’s narrower at the bottom which should help the pinky. I thought that Jack might be able to extend the bottom of the grip frame a little then shave the front of it down like yours. While I like the overall quality of the FA97 I’m a little bummed about the way the grip frame feels. I hope I can find a way to make it work or maybe just shoot it more to see if I can get used to it. Marshall I bought the gun second hand and it wasn't listed as a Powers gun but it is clearly marked. The inside of the loading gate is hand checkered, the gun is high polished, action work makes a world of difference (it's light and smooth now) and is much better than a factory action job, it's got the titanium see through scope mount, sling studs look that look like they grew there, and for some reason a pinned in front sight base that isn't an improvement over the factory FA sight. I feel the same about the grip- it crowds the pinky up into the ring finger and feels weird at first. I did the shaping on the frame and Jack didn't add any metal like he would on a Ruger, but it's plenty long for my hand as-is. As far as shooting until you get used to it, that's what I did with the round butt one and now it shoots and points naturally for me. That said, I shoot the gun often and handle/dry fire a ton. |
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eskimo36
.375 Atomic
Oklahoma
Posts: 2,048
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Post by eskimo36 on Oct 19, 2018 3:42:10 GMT -5
I think the modification and Jack’s work looks great. The flare at the bottom on factory grips doesn’t feel right.
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Post by magnum314 on Oct 19, 2018 9:05:45 GMT -5
Wow! Very nice! I just love the wood and grip contour on the bottom FA. That just looks about perfect by my eyes. Wouldn't have a problem owning any of them to be sure!
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Post by bigbore475 on Oct 19, 2018 10:18:48 GMT -5
beautiful FAs
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,497
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Post by steve on Oct 19, 2018 15:11:58 GMT -5
I agree wholeheartedly, those walnut grips are too bad either! |
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Post by potatojudge on Jul 12, 2019 19:03:36 GMT -5
I have no reference how FA grip frames usually interchange, but this take-off fits nicely and shouldn't take too much to fit 98% like a factory done frame (there is one area where the grip frame is a hairs-width narrow to the main frame- can be felt but not easily seen). Needless to say, I was very pleased. A couple of years ago I called FA to see what a new grip frame would cost in case I botched the modification. They quoted $7-800 for the grip frame plus labor for fitting. I liked the idea of a FA97 where I (or someone else) could swap grip frames as desired. The frames shoot equally well, but the modified one sits more easily in the hand. I'm strongly considering round butting the modified grip frame, like a miniature Dustin Linebaugh rounded Bisley. Larger radius in the back, smaller radius in the front. I'll be fitting the original black micarta grips to the new take-off frame as well. Then off to Power Custom for some tweaking sometime down the road.      |
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Post by bushog on Jul 12, 2019 19:40:33 GMT -5
I wanna see a pic of the checkered loading gate?
Not a big deal but if you are talking about sending your gun to John Powers, he is not Power Custom.
According to John they're related but just to be clear for folkswho might not know.
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Post by potatojudge on Jul 12, 2019 21:44:04 GMT -5
I bought the gun already customized. It's got, hands down, the best FA action and really the best small SA frame action and trigger I've ever felt. The pinned front sight, high polish, and jeweled hammer/trigger I could have done without, but the action, titanium scope mount, and sling studs more than make up for it. The checkered loading gate is an improvement and the sling studs are seamlessly installed. Despite the long barrel and scope, it feels like a lightweight in the hand. It's sighted in at 100 yards but recently I've been shooting it at 200-250 yards. 125 grain XTP, H110, Starline brass. I hope this is a good combination for small to medium deer at close-ish range. Not the load I'd choose for longer shots, but I have other pistols set up for deer out to 150-300 yards. And you're right, it is Power Custom and not John Power.    |
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Post by Rimfire69 on Jul 13, 2019 4:47:48 GMT -5
Wow, nice features, sure like the checkered loading gate.
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