Better platform for FA 41 mag

[foxtrapper]

4 3/4” barrel , the 97 or 83?

[cas]

For me, an 83 would be a lot more shootable. I love my 97 but if I'm honest, I don't enjoy shooting it.

[potatojudge]

This is a choice best counseled by folks more familiar with the cylinder OALs as well as ammo loaded with different bullets, including deep seated heavyweights, as well as knowledge of bullet designs with relatively short noses intended to maximize the 97 cylinder.

If I was sticking to 210 or similar bullets, the 97 all day long. For 265-290 I think you'll need the 83.

[harold89]

For me, it would depend simply on which model I liked best. They are apples and oranges. If I found the 97 agreeable, that’s probably the direction I would lean. But alas, me and the 97 do not play well together.

[x101airborne]

May I please hijack the thread and ask what specifically individuals like / dislike about the two models in question?

[kings6]

Enough said on my part.

[bigbrowndog]

If you’re happy running normal 41 mag loads, 210’s or 265’s at normal speed and you want to just have a good carry rig..........97

If you’re looking for a pure hunting gun and want to push max loads and max bullet weights.........83

I really like my 4.25” 97 it is a great carry rig around the ranch in a belt holster all day long, it’s way plenty accurate for coyotes out to 100 with 210gr bullets, mine wears a small Burris FastFire and rides in a belt holster. It handles all my normal everyday chores, and if I ever find myself hiking or riding in bear country I’d just load it with a monometal bullet and fo with it.

Trapr

[dhd]

Dec 23, 2020 22:30:30 GMT -5 kings6 said:

Enough said on my part.

Nice rifle.

[tonyrumore]

I can't imagine ever wanting to lug around an 83 in 41 mag when it will run in a 97.

Tony

[eskimo36]

Dec 24, 2020 2:44:07 GMT -5 tonyrumore said:

I can't imagine ever wanting to lug around an 83 in 41 mag when it will run in a 97.

Tony

It depends on if you’re lugging or shooting. I have had a 97 41M and it’s a great carry gun but full house heavy bullet loads are are too long or not fun in the 97. Some left over factory Buffalo Bullets 265 gr loads I had would stick out the cylinder. I run an 83 now with a reflex sight. The 97 does many things well but there are trade offs.

Curtis

[edk]

Dec 23, 2020 21:27:10 GMT -5 foxtrapper said:

4 3/4” barrel , the 97 or 83?

For me, it is not a question of which represents the better platform for the 41 mag but rather a question of whether there is any case for the 97 over the 83 - maybe 22LR? All of this has nothing to do with the quality of the gun, cylinder limitations, etc. It is all about the grip frame. Maybe one day RW will produce a grip frame variant that will render this revolver more useful for a lot of us that find it difficult to live with. Until then all I can offer by way of opinion is compare the gun to putting on a pair of shoes that are too small: at first impression you feel the narrowness of the toe box or the discomfort of your toes squashed. Now hike, run or work in them for a day (i.e. shoot hunting loads) and your feet hurt in a way they shouldn't have to if the shoes fit properly.

[cas]

Dec 23, 2020 21:37:52 GMT -5 cas said:

I love my 97 but if I'm honest, I don't enjoy shooting it.

For the record, I think the 97 might be the perfect gun / gun size for the 41 Mag. Just the combination of size (the gun and my hands) don't play well together.

[bushog]

There's always a third option...



Long cylinder will take even the 290gn LBTs

[princeout]

Dec 24, 2020 7:59:11 GMT -5 edk said:

Dec 23, 2020 21:27:10 GMT -5 foxtrapper said:

4 3/4” barrel , the 97 or 83?

It is all about the grip frame.

I'm also not a fan of the M97 grip frame.  Held one at Wannemakers show in Tulsa a few years back and it was different.  Ended up with a 44 Special version for a while - wasn't working.  Now I have this Bowen modified gripframe on a 327 M97.  This one I like.




Tim

[domino300]

Just get both!😎