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Post by drycreek on Sept 26, 2021 13:37:01 GMT -5
I own 7 Ruger revolvers and one FA, the Model 83 in .44 mag. I just bought a Bisley SBH Hunter for about a $1,000 on Gunbroker. About the same time I saw the Model 83, also a .44 mag, on the Texas Hunting Forum for $1,800. I looked up the current price for a new one and it was a little more than $3,000. Since the gun had been used very little I just couldn’t find a down side to that deal, especially since he came off $100 because I had to drive over a hundred miles to meet him. If nothing else I could probably flip it for $2,200/2,300 pretty quick if I wanted to. Since I’m scopeing the Hunter I’m gonna leave the 83 as is. My eyes need help but it already has a fiber optic front sight, that’s a help. Oh, it’s a Premier Grade and already has the three pound trigger pull. I think I did ok !
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Post by inspectorcallahan on Sept 26, 2021 14:17:46 GMT -5
The 44 Mag Model 83 was actually the first FA I purchased factory new and i am very pleased that I did. Here are my thoughts....and I agree with everything else already said. Back in the old days not so long ago, the mystique of the Freedom Arms was alot about the 454 Casull cartridge as the biggest, baddest super magnum on the block. My belief was that the lesser known fact (especially in 1983 before the high resolution pictures and information was available online) is that these guns are the finest factory produced revolvers in the world IN ANY CALIBER. Nowadays, the 454 Casull isn't the biggest kid on the block, and in my opinion, the 44 mag Model 83 is a smarter choice for 99% of the shooters out there. With this combo, you get all of the build quality that FA is known for, but in a very common cartridge that is more than capable for 99% of hunting tasks. The 44 mag M83 is a really wise choice. If you did not handload, an even wiser choice. Ammo much cheaper and more available, and in a myriad of varieties. Lastly, I will agree that the average single action fan isn't up for a $2000+ Freedom Arms, and that's OK. A Redhawk or Blackhawk will kill deer just as dead. This revolver is specifically for those who are looking for the top tier player in fit & finish, and to echo the others.....nothing needs to be added after you get it. Another thing I like about the FA's is that I consider it a "no-frills" gun and by frills I mean gingerbread and embellishments. Yes, it is expensive, however 90% or more of that is on build quality and fit/finish, and not on engraving or embellishments beyond the perfectly fit and contoured grips. Your spending most of the dollars here on build quality and that is a firm testament to the value of the product. Thanks
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Yetiman
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 582
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Post by Yetiman on Sept 26, 2021 14:39:40 GMT -5
About the same time I saw the Model 83, also a .44 mag, on the Texas Hunting Forum for $1,800. I looked up the current price for a new one and it was a little more than $3,000. Since the gun had been used very little I just couldn’t find a down side to that deal, especially since he came off $100 because I had to drive over a hundred miles to meet him. If nothing else I could probably flip it for $2,200/2,300 pretty quick if I wanted to. Since I’m scopeing the Hunter I’m gonna leave the 83 as is. My eyes need help but it already has a fiber optic front sight, that’s a help. Oh, it’s a Premier Grade and already has the three pound trigger pull. I think I did ok ! Nice score !! I love my Bisley Hunter (worked over by David Clements and Jack Huntington), but would jump all over that 83 !
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Post by AxeHandle on Sept 26, 2021 14:41:00 GMT -5
Personally very comfortable with the innards of the OM and NM Ruger. Can dump them out on the table and put them all back in. Took the grip frames off a couple of FAs to ship off for grip fitting.. Felt no urge to remove the stuff in the cylinder frame that I could see at that point.
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Post by drycreek on Sept 26, 2021 15:38:50 GMT -5
Inspectorcallahan, I agree with all you’ve said, if I had to pay $3K for that revolver the other guy would still own it, but at that price I couldn’t NOT buy it ! And as to the caliber, all I’ll ever shoot down here in East Texas are deer and hogs, the .44 mag or Ruger only .45 Colt is all I’ll ever need. What little I’ve shot it tells me it’s more accurate than any Ruger I own. Came back to say that theBisley Hunter and a Bisley Flattop have already been to Alan Harton for trigger jobs. So the less expensive Rugers are already costing more money !
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Post by 45dragoon on Sept 26, 2021 16:30:25 GMT -5
A Rolls Royce has a BMW sourced engine but a Rolls isn't a BMW . . . they're different . . .
Mike
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Post by 45dragoon on Sept 27, 2021 10:26:22 GMT -5
Didn't mean to shut down the conversation with a seemingly (apparently) "dumb" comparison but what was meant by it was - though the Ruger is an excellent platform and seemingly the FA appears to be a " "supped up" version, the Ruger is geared to the masses ((BMW) and a fine one at that!) but the FA is geared to the "appreciative" of fine, close tolerance firearms. The Ruger(NM) has a "2 screw" action setup (reminiscent of the Remington '58 / '75 /'90), but the FA has a more "Colt like" 3 screw geometry (best in my opinion). The FA's flat mainspring (best spring for powering a heavy part) is a holdover from Colt vs the coil spring (lazy for the job) in a Ruger. The coil/torsion springs for the bolt and trigger are the finest "modern" setup (one I use in all my "tunings" for Colt, Remington and Ruger 3 screw), which allows fine tuning to the finest degree. Add the fit and finish and attention to detail and the end result is obvious! BMW is a nice car but a Rolls is much nicer!! In either case, it's not the money that matters!!
Mike
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domino300
.30 Stingray
N.C. Ohio
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Post by domino300 on Sept 27, 2021 19:18:14 GMT -5
Not dumb, kinda figured your intent.
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alamogunr
.30 Stingray
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Post by alamogunr on Oct 2, 2021 9:00:14 GMT -5
I've got at least 5 or 6 Ruger Blackhawks in various models. About 15 years ago, I found a FA 83 w/.45 Colt & .45ACP cylinders. Couldn't pass it up at approx. $1500. It was well used and rarely cleaned. After flushing it well with brake cleaner and relubing, it was still tighter than all the Rugers. I have never shot it with max loaded .454C. Too old now to even try.
Recently wanted a Ruger Flat Top .44 Special. Not available anywhere that I could find. I did find a new FA 97 in .44Special. Mailed the check yesterday. Everything considered, I doubt that I will have any regrets whatsoever.
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