boots
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 54 
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Post by boots on Oct 19, 2018 13:38:02 GMT -5
This is my first post. I do not need another firearm but I am in the market for either a FA 97 in 44 special or 45 LC. I have some of both now and load for them along with my FA 454. I shoot cast bullets 90% of the time so that might have something to do with the selection, as the 44 might handle cast better, but I do not know. All input appreciated.
How does one post pictures?
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 19, 2018 13:50:06 GMT -5
I just so happen to have both of those guns. Would hate to have to pick between the two.
The 45 Colt has the advantage of bigger, heavier bullets and an auxiliary 45 acp cylinder. A few complain about the cylinder length, but I have had no issue loading for mine.
The 44 Special is just plain sixgun perfection if you handload your own ammo.
For my use, I'd opt for the 45 Colt. It's the last revolver I'd willingly give up. But, you didn't say exactly what you'd be using yours for.
Think one of each would be the best solution. Just Sayin...
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Post by potatojudge on Oct 19, 2018 14:18:09 GMT -5
41, 44, 45- short of a couple very specific loads and game you'll not find any of them lacking. If you don't need anything and have bigger guns to fill those roles, then maybe branch out to the 41 and make your life easier with a little less recoil and a slightly heavier gun? The Colt is technically the most capable of the bunch, but are you prepared for that kind of recoil in a small gun? You could always jump on this one, which is the lowest price I've seen for an octagon barreled FA in all the years I've been looking: www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=272707 |
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Post by bigmuddy on Oct 19, 2018 14:28:56 GMT -5
I had the same decision to make 8 years ago. I went with the 44 Special and have not regretted it one time since. I chose the 44 for the bullet length issue. It's accuracy is amazing.
Good luck in your decision, and there is no "wrong" choice.
Dan
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boots
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 54
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Post by boots on Oct 19, 2018 14:33:45 GMT -5
I have only used revolvers to hunt for 40+ years. Now days I mostly carry when working my dogs and deer hunting. Really either the 44 or 45 would do the job and I am not recoil sensitive and am not interested in loading for another caliber. I will load close to max loads with cast bullets. Does one have an advantage over the other taking cast bullets in the equation?
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 19, 2018 14:45:36 GMT -5
Can't see where either would be an issue. As stated the 44 Special will accept longer nosed bullets, the 45 Colt will accept bigger bullets.
The advantage would only be if someone chose to argue a point. I won't argue over such matters, so my advice is pick one and go with it.
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,497
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Post by steve on Oct 19, 2018 15:00:09 GMT -5
Well as Mr. Taffin says "buy 'em both!" If that isn't feasible and you already have an 83 in 454.....the choice is easy, 44 special!
Welcome to the forum! You will find a bunch of enablers here that are more than happy to help spend your money for you! Oh and by the way, "Need" has nothin to do with it! Ha
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boots
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 54
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Post by boots on Oct 19, 2018 16:03:15 GMT -5
Steve you are right, if need had anything to do with gun purchases I would have stopped years ago. I have looked on FA web site and did not find any thing about the dimensions of the barrel or the cylinder.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 19, 2018 16:15:21 GMT -5
Steve you are right, if need had anything to do with gun purchases I would have stopped years ago. I have looked on FA web site and did not find any thing about the dimensions of the barrel or the cylinder. The have a "SPECS" sheet that list every detail about them. |
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Post by paul105 on Oct 19, 2018 19:09:14 GMT -5
I have both 44 Special and 45 Colt Model 97s. Actually have two 45 Colt M97s – one 4 ¼” Oct Bbl and one 3 1/2” round butt (which now wears the 45 ACP cyl full time). Also have a 5 ½” Oct .357 and its twin in 22LR/22WMR. With the M97s, you are basically limited to 1.600” OAL (maybe a bit more). In the 45 Colt, there are some bullets that cannot be seated and crimped in the crimp grove due to cyl length. Some have proclaimed this to be a problem, but it isn’t – see David Bradshaw’s “deep seating thread”. My 4 ¼” 45 Colt has over 25,000 rounds down the pipe – a large number of those (over half) were “deep seated”. There are at least 6 bullets (cast and jacketed) that I can think of that weigh from 300 to 320gr that can be crimped in the crimp grove and be at or under 1.600” OAL. If you prefer not to deep seat, and will be using long nosed SWCs, then the .44 special is probably you best bet – I can’t think of a bullet that can be crimped in the crimp grove and still fit in the M97 cylinder. Also, if need be, excellent results can be achieved with both the Lee 300gr FPGCDCG and Beartooths 320gr LFNGC pretty much equaling what can be done with the 45 Colt M97. Leading can be a potential problem – at one time (don’t know if still true), FAs cyl throats were smaller than grove diam “to reduce pressure” IIRC. Weighed on an electronic food scale, my 3 ½” Round Butt 45 Colt == 34 ½ oz 4 ¼” Oct Bbl 45 Colt == 35 ½ oz 5 ½” 44 Spceial == 37 ½ oz Some pictures: For comparison – Top 4 ¼” M97 .45 Colt, Left 6” M83 .475 Linebaugh, Bottom S&W M329 (Ti/Sc 4” N Frame .44 Mag)  3 ½” Round Butt .45 Colt  5 ½” .44 Special – Lower Left, 475 LB (had cyl fluted) Upper Right  325 gr BTB LFNGC running about 1,100 fps from the .44 special (top group).  FWIW, Paul |
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razor
.327 Meteor
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Post by razor on Oct 20, 2018 8:34:26 GMT -5
I have had both and liked the 44 special the best. My perfect gun, model 97, 44 special, 5 1/2" barrel. I like you could use regular bullets in the special without deep seating them.
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Post by bigmuddy on Oct 20, 2018 21:28:25 GMT -5
The only "issue" I have had with lead bullets in my 44 FA 97 is the tight throats. They are not "too" tight as is often the case with some Rugers. If I load my 260 gr. WFNGC bullets they need to be sized .429 or they won't chamber. My RCBS KT bullets work fine sized .430.
Loading MAX loads in my 97 makes it a gun that is not a lot of fun to shoot. When recoil gets high the trigger guard cuts my trigger finger on the back side. For that reason I like 260 Keith bullets at 1000 fps as my go to load.
Dan
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bt8541
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 33
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Post by bt8541 on Oct 21, 2018 1:05:55 GMT -5
I just sold my FA 97 in 44 special and kept my FA 97 in 45 colt. Like stated above, the cylinder throats were a little tight and I had to size just for that handgun. So I saw no reason to keep it when I really enjoy my 45 colt.
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Post by Cholla on Oct 21, 2018 22:01:16 GMT -5
I don't have any FA's but have multiple SA's in .44 Special and 45 Colt and love them both. Elmer Keith noted in his book "Sixguns" that the 45 Colt tends to display markedly different points of impact when switching loads and bullet weights, and I've found this to be very true. My practice load is a 250 gr. RNFP running around 825-850 fps and my hunting load is a 290 gr. SWC running right at 1,000 fps. The difference in POI's at 50 and 75 yds. amounts to quite a bit.
My .44 Special's on the other hand are quite the opposite. My practice and small game load is a 248 gr. RN running 800-825 fps and my hunting load consists of SWC's from 250-260 gr. running 950 to over 1100 fps. POI's are close enough to make for easy transition between loads. The lighter load is pretty much POA=POI out to 25 yds. with the heavier hunting loads shooting just an inch or so higher at that range.
For me personally, the 1.6" o.a.l. for the 45 Colt would be a deal breaker.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,104
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Post by edk on Oct 22, 2018 6:14:41 GMT -5
Note the relatively slow twist (1-24") of the model 97 in 45 Colt. There is an argument on the 'net that the model 83 which shares the same spec is incapable of good accuracy at lower velocity because of this. Frankly I attribute this as something lumped in among other criticisms on the part of 454 haters and without any real merit. Meanwhile the model 97 is generally considered very accurate and it is typically fired at the same velocities at which the model 83 is "inaccurate" - go figure!
Anyhow the point is that the model 97 is accurate and it is so while employing a relatively (for 45 Colt) slow twist which is generally considered to be more "cast friendly". Perhaps something for a cast bullet shooter to consider...
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