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Post by mhblaw on Feb 24, 2022 21:17:52 GMT -5
Acquired an FA 97 in 44 Special awhile ago. Nice gun, but the trigger guard reminds me of the original Ruger grip frame and bangs my index figure hard. I am not shooting Top loads, mostly plinkers. 5 hrs. Trail Boss, 240 gr. sWC. Comments? Different grips?
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Post by mhblaw on Feb 24, 2022 21:20:08 GMT -5
Finger. Grains. Big fingers on small keyboard.
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 25, 2022 8:07:41 GMT -5
Acquired an FA 97 in 44 Special awhile ago. Nice gun, but the trigger guard reminds me of the original Ruger grip frame and bangs my index figure hard. I am not shooting Top loads, mostly plinkers. 5 hrs. Trail Boss, 240 gr. sWC. Comments? Different grips? ***** Your hand may agree with mine: the M-97 grip frame was designed for someone else’s hand. Note: one cannot choke a single action into accuracy. While I’d rather hold the M-97 under recoil than an oiled water moccasin, my confidence for control is about equal. David Bradshaw |
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Post by potatojudge on Feb 25, 2022 11:31:09 GMT -5
Ronnie Wells has this one at the moment. I modified it to be a little like a Bisley Jr, though I suppose it's not dissimilar to a scaled down BFR Bisley given how the mainframe and grip frame mate up at the top. It sits in the hand more comfortably, makes room for the pinky and gives the knuckles a little more room. I shoot hot loads out of these and recoil impulse is still like a 44 mag out of a little gun, but I think it crowds the hand less under recoil. I disliked the 97 grip frame initially, learned to appreciate it, then modified this one just to satisfy my curiosity. The down side is if you don't like the modification, FA charges $800 for an un-fit replacement grip frame. My plan if the grip mod turned out poorly was to make grips that filled that space back in, but no need now.    |
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Post by savit260 on Feb 26, 2022 19:37:53 GMT -5
I know it makes sound counter intuitive but I've found with my 41 Mag Model 97, that I shoot it much better with a more relaxed grip. The tighter I hold the grip the worse my groups are. Relax, ease up on the grip and it all starts to come together.
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 27, 2022 8:44:44 GMT -5
I know it makes sound counter intuitive but I've found with my 41 Mag Model 97, that I shoot it much better with a more relaxed grip. The tighter I hold the grip the worse my groups are. Relax, ease up on the grip and it all starts to come together. ***** Correct. IHMSA proved:* A death grip harvests inconsistency at target. * FLEX/REFLEX----the trigger finger from a relaxed grip. The trigger finger cannot squeeze independent of a clenched fist. I learned the hard way. Somewhere in my teens, bough a book by former gunfighter and National Pistol Champion Charles Askins. To hear Askins promote his testosterone grip on a pistol, accuracy comes only to those who choke the sap out of their pistol. Well, I took the colonel’s advice to heart, and my shooting took a dive. I’m shooting the old Blackhawk .357 and Super Blackhawk .44 magnums, along with my rabbit and partridge dinner K-22, wondering where my accuracy went! Down the drain, naturally. Charles Askins went on, famously, to suggest anyone who wears glove to shoot a .44 Mag must “wear lace on his pants.” As I was wrestling at the time, and had never been pinned, it’s unlikely my hands were devoid of strength. I had to unlearn the Boston Strangler approach.... to see my bullet to the target. Wouldn’t put it past the good colonel to psych-out an opponent. More than any other grip shape, the curved-backstrap single action demands a SUSTAINABLE GRASP. Comfortable. Call it a WORKING GRIP----light to moderate hand pressure which does not fatigue. Adapt grip pressure to recoil. But don’t fight the gun. David Bradshaw |
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Post by Big Bore on Feb 27, 2022 9:43:40 GMT -5
I know it makes sound counter intuitive but I've found with my 41 Mag Model 97, that I shoot it much better with a more relaxed grip. The tighter I hold the grip the worse my groups are. Relax, ease up on the grip and it all starts to come together. Exact same for me. Even on my 454 I use a fairly light grip. |
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Post by mhblaw on Feb 27, 2022 16:49:14 GMT -5
But, tight, loose or firm, it still bangs the knuckle on my index finger. That is the issue. I may have to just move it on..
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 28, 2022 1:43:42 GMT -5
But, tight, loose or firm, it still bangs the knuckle on my index finger. That is the issue. I may have to just move it on.. ***** Know what you mean. Wasn’t suggesting a cure via grip pressure. Some shooters love the M-97 handle. If Ronnie Wells isn’t set up to make grip frames for the the M-97, I’d be looking at a Ruger Blackhawk .44 Spl. David Bradshaw |
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Post by cas on Feb 28, 2022 12:55:57 GMT -5
My fairly large hands don't love the 97 grip with moderate recoil, but it's my thumb that takes the beating.
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Post by bearskinner on Feb 28, 2022 13:09:06 GMT -5
I love the feel of an FA83, but the 97’s feel too compact.
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Post by gunsbam45 on Feb 28, 2022 20:35:17 GMT -5
Your hand may agree with mine: the M-97 grip frame was designed for someone else’s hand. Note: one cannot choke a single action into accuracy. While I’d rather hold the M-97 under recoil than an oiled water moccasin, my confidence for control is about equal.
David Bradshaw
[/quote]
X2 AMEN.
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princeout
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 2,001
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Post by princeout on Mar 1, 2022 0:29:03 GMT -5
 Bowen massaged M97 with modified Colt-like 2 piece gripframe along with Roy Fishpaw one piece snakewood grips. Knife by Jeffery Michell Custom Knives built to compliment the revolver. I really find Hamilton’s grip frame to improve the looks and feel of the gun. Tim |
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Post by mhblaw on Mar 1, 2022 12:17:41 GMT -5
Nice gun Tim. But if mine were a 32 caliber like yours I wouldn’t be complaining.
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slg
.240 Incinerator
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Post by slg on Mar 6, 2022 12:24:24 GMT -5
I have been contemplating a 97 for some time, but have never shot one to see how it fits me. The 83 fits and shoots just fine, but I prefer a smaller lighter gun. Looking to shoot 45C, 280g at 1000 fps or so. It's a pretty mild load in my Blackhawk Bisley. Can anyone compare the 97 to a New Frontier? I understand the grips are different, but nonetheless, I'd love to hear a comparison under recoil.
As far as grip pressure, I cannot choke a SA and shoot my tightest groups, but if I want to control the gun, I have to grip it pretty solidly. Same is true for my semi-autos, which is what I mostly shoot. The difference is, for follow-up shots to come fast and accurately with a semi or a DA revolver, a harder grip is more beneficial. Not very relevant to hunting. Also, everyone has a different idea of what a hard grip is. I grip as hard as possible as long as there is no tremor or movement in my sights. My trigger finger has learned to work independently at that pressure level. Greater pressure than that, for me, equals less accuracy.
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